Infinix just proved that smartphones can be beautiful and practical

If you haven’t heard of Infinix, I’m not surprised.

The Chinese smartphone manufacturer is steadily growing its market share in Southeast Asia and Africa, but has yet to make a dent in European or North American markets.

However, it made a splash at CES 2026 with a range of upcoming products that offer a breath of fresh air in a stagnant market.

At CES 2026, Infinix debuted always-connected satellite phones, a set of modular magnetic accessories, and a remarkable range of innovative backplate designs.

There was also a gaming controller and cooling technology, but these were mostly irrelevant next to the most innovative mobile developments showcased this year.

Infinix expands satellite connectivity to everyday devices

Connectivity dead zones may soon be a thing of the past

Satellite connectivity on smartphones is a relatively new technology.

While dedicated satellite phones have existed for decades, it wasn’t until the Thuraya X5 Touch broke ground as the first Android phone with dual satellite and cellular network connectivity in 2018.

The iPhone 14 launched with satellite connectivity in 2022, but it was limited to emergency calls only.

Since then, we’ve seen plenty of flagship Android phones follow suit, including the Google Pixel 9 and 10.

However, the Infinix Note 60 is the first Android smartphone with satellite connectivity that can stand alongside flagship devices from Google and Samsung.

It’s exciting technology, but we’ll have to wait for the Note 60’s launch to see whether the device holds up for everyday use.

However, the future of a world where you truly are always connected doesn’t seem so far off.

Modular phone accessories in a single ecosystem

We need more magnetic accessories that work together

The idea of swapping out MagSafe accessories is nothing new.

You can easily amass a variety of Qi2-compatible power banks, stands, wallets, and more without worrying about compatibility.

I lost count of the range of magnetic accessories I saw within hours of CES 2026 opening its doors, but they all shared one problem. I’d seen them all before.

Wallets. Power banks. Stands. If I had a drink every time I saw a different magnetic accessory from one of those three categories, I wouldn’t last an hour.

There are some genuinely cool options out there (an origami-inspired wallet caught my eye), but I’m tired of seeing the same stuff.

Infinix debuted a range of magnetic accessories that shared a single design language and went far beyond what most other manufacturers are producing.

The Meeting Modu was essentially Google’s Recorder app as hardware.

The Mic Modu recorded clear audio without the need for a standalone microphone.

The Sportscam Modu featured a gimbal mount that eliminated camera shake while recording video.

VlogCam Modu featured an AI-powered camera that followed your face for hands-free vlogging.

Finally, there was the StackPower Modu, a magnetic power bank. Unlike other power banks, this is split into three slimmer units.

Need a tiny boost? Add a single block without adding unnecessary depth to your phone. Need all-day battery life? Stack three.

Dynamic backplates create unforgettable phones

Without draining your phone’s battery

Active Visual Backplate Technology isn’t the sexiest name in the world, which is a shame because it’s probably the coolest gimmick I’ve seen so far at CES.

I call it a gimmick, as the technology has absolutely no impact on the phone’s performance.

Still, this is where the magic lies, as it feels like a display this cool should drain the phone’s battery.

I’m used to having buzzwords thrown in my face during tech demos, but there was something satisfyingly tactile about the terms used for Active Visual Backplate Technology.

There was Bistable Thermo-Chromatic Ink, High-Frame-Rate Continuous Dynamic Grating, Color-Changing Louvre, Starry Photochromic Leather, Naked-Eye 3D Film, and my personal favorite name, Monolithic Cold-carved Polymer.

Chant those names, and you feel like you’ll summon a spectral phone from the astral plane, but the technology itself is incredibly easy to understand.

All of these terms refer to a different form of optical microstructure, where different colors, animations, or perceived depth change depending on how you hold the phone.

Others are dependent on changes in light or temperature.

The 3D effect was perhaps the most impressive, but it was nearly impossible to capture this effect in a video (although I tried my very best).

The color-changing effects were also neat, although I think they might need some fine-tuning, as apparently the color shift triggered at freezing temperatures.

Nevertheless, it’s neat to imagine your phone changing color as you walk through different environments.

Infinix’s innovations are exactly what I want from the biggest smartphone manufacturers

While it was certainly eye-catching, Active Visual Backplate Technology isn’t what I hope manufacturers like Google, Samsung, and Apple adopt.

Instead, genuinely useful hardware like satellite connectivity is what we should start seeing on all our phones, and not limited to emergency calling.

Google is also particularly well-placed to produce a range of magnetic accessories.

I love the idea of carrying a few tools in my bag that I can start using within seconds, but jumping between accessories produced by different manufacturers is awkward and frustrating.

CES 2026 has already shown that there is plenty of room for innovation in our smartphones without relying on AI.

So while you may not see an Infinix phone, know that the effects of their innovation may be felt very soon.