As many companies hop on to the Android One program, it now looks like we should expect to see different takes, more features and better devices launching. This is kind of what was going through my mind with the launch of the Infinix Note 5, plus the Pro variant with a stylus.

The new Infinix Note 5 brings a 6.0 inch Full HD display with 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, 12MP main camera, 16MP selfie camera, Helio P23 Processor and a huge 4500mAh battery for just Ksh. 17939 on Jumia. But the best thing isn’t that the specs are good, or the battery is huge. The best thing is that the Operating System is pure Android.

I am reminded of Google Play Edition smartphones back in the days. This is like one of those devices. And even though there’s a lot one will miss from XOS skin on top of Android including features like three finger screenshots, scroll shots, gestures, etc., there’s more to be happy about as security updates will be really fast, and also you’ll be among the first in line to get Android P when it launches.

Infinix is marketing this as an AI phone. Which is really stretching the truth. If it is an AI phone, the it is as AI as any other Android device is. Google Assistant is on every device. Google Lens is being rolled out to almost all devices with Assistant. So, don’t expect Google Assistant will be much smarter on the device. Or that Google Lens will blow your mind. But expect good performance, and a unique, different experience if you’ve been using skinned phones all your life.

With the Infinix Note 5 now available, I am also asking myself, is there a need to get a Nokia Android One phone? Yes, there’s a Snapdragon processor, and Zeiss branded cameras. But if all you want is stock Android, you’re sorted. Especially for developers. If all you want is working cameras, and good performance you’re sorted. If all you want is a good display with good battery life. It seems you’re sorted. But all this is subject to my full review of the device coming soon. Would love to see how it performs in the real world. How it handles tasks. What sort of pics it takes. And how that huge battery is handled by stock Android.

There’re many things one misses when they use stock Android from a decent file manager app, or a gallery. These are things I tend to install myself. But it looks like companies are getting a little more control with Android One devices as we’ve seen a decent camera app on the Nokia Android One devices. And we are also seeing a stylus coming with the Note 5 Stylus (Pro version).

Last year, the stylus sucked. You can read my thoughts here. This year, the stylus promise is better. It now tucks in inside the phone the way Samsung Note devices do. And it is supposedly much better, including a click mechanism. Can’t wait to see this.

The Note 5 Pro availability and pricing is yet to be announced. But we can be sure it will be around Ksh. 25,000.

What are your thoughts on the new Infinix devices? Note 5 normal or Note 5 Pro?

Watch Eric Okafor unboxing here: https://youtu.be/anfSgQlgg7Y

Infinix Note 5 Specifications and Price in Kenya

Buy from Jumia