Intex Aqua Note 5.5 Full Specifications, Price and Review
⚠ Critical Warning Before Buying
The Intex Aqua Note 5.5 supports 4G LTE but does not support Band 40 — the primary 4G band used by Airtel, Jio and Vodafone-Idea across India. Despite listing 4G support, this phone may not deliver 4G data on most Indian networks. Verify band compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing.
The Intex Aqua Note 5.5 is a large-screen budget phablet from Intex Technologies, launched in August 2017. Named after its 5.5-inch HD display, it is positioned as a media consumption and productivity device with a generous screen, 2GB RAM, MediaTek MT6737VW processor, 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and 128GB expandable storage. It runs Android 7.0 Nougat on a dual Micro-SIM configuration. However the phone carries a significant network limitation — it supports 4G LTE but not Band 40, which is the frequency band that Airtel, Jio and Vodafone-Idea primarily use for 4G in India. This guide covers the complete Intex Aqua Note 5.5 specifications, the Band 40 issue explained in plain language, and honest buying advice.
The Band 40 Issue — What It Means for Indian Buyers
This is the most important section of this article for anyone considering purchasing the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 in India.
What is Band 40? Band 40 refers to the 2300 MHz frequency spectrum. It is the most widely deployed 4G frequency in India and the primary band used by all three major operators:
- Airtel — uses Band 40 as a primary 4G band across most Indian cities
- Jio — built its entire network on Band 40 (2300 MHz) and Band 5 (850 MHz)
- Vodafone-Idea (Vi) — uses Band 40 as a core 4G frequency
What this means for the Aqua Note 5.5: The phone supports 4G LTE but not Band 40 specifically. In practical terms this means that even if your SIM card is 4G enabled, the phone may be unable to connect to your operator's 4G network in most Indian locations. It will likely fall back to 3G where available, or 2G where 3G is absent.
Who this affects least: Buyers in locations where carriers deploy 4G on other bands (Band 3 at 1800 MHz or Band 5 at 850 MHz) may still get 4G connectivity. Airtel in particular uses Band 3 in some circles. However this cannot be guaranteed without checking specific carrier band deployment in your exact location.
Bottom line: If reliable 4G data connectivity in India is a requirement, the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 is not a safe choice. Consider the Intex Aqua Zenith or Aqua Lions X1 instead — both explicitly support Band 40 on both SIM slots.
Intex Aqua Note 5.5 — Key Highlights
- 5.5-inch HD display at 720×1280 pixels — large phablet screen for media and productivity
- 8MP rear camera and 5MP front camera
- 2GB RAM + 16GB storage expandable up to 128GB via microSD
- MediaTek MT6737VW 1.25GHz quad-core processor
- 2800mAh battery
- Android 7.0 Nougat
- Dual Micro-SIM with 3G and 4G LTE support
- GPS, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Proximity, accelerometer and ambient light sensors
- Available in Champagne
- ⚠ Does NOT support 4G Band 40 — may not work on Jio, Airtel or Vi 4G in most Indian locations
- No FM Radio
- No USB OTG
Intex Aqua Note 5.5 Full Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| General | |
| Release Date | August 2017 |
| Form Factor | Touchscreen |
| Dimensions | 153.00 × 77.50 × 10.30 mm |
| Weight | 177 grams |
| Battery Capacity | 2800 mAh |
| Removable Battery | No |
| Colours | Champagne |
| Display | |
| Screen Size | 5.5 inches |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Resolution | 720 × 1280 pixels (HD) |
| Hardware | |
| Processor | 1.25GHz Quad-core |
| Processor Make | MediaTek MT6737VW |
| RAM | 2 GB |
| Internal Storage | 16 GB |
| Expandable Storage | Yes, microSD up to 128 GB |
| Camera | |
| Rear Camera | 8 MP |
| Front Camera | 5 MP |
| Software | |
| Operating System | Android 7.0 Nougat |
| Connectivity | |
| Wi-Fi | Yes — 802.11 b/g/n |
| GPS | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| NFC | No |
| Infrared | No |
| USB OTG | No |
| Headphone Jack | 3.5mm |
| FM Radio | No |
| Number of SIMs | 2 (Dual SIM) |
| SIM Type | Micro-SIM × 2 |
| SIM 1 Network | 2G GSM + 3G + 4G LTE |
| 4G Band 40 Support | No — does not support Band 40 |
| Sensors | |
| Proximity Sensor | Yes |
| Accelerometer | Yes |
| Ambient Light Sensor | Yes |
| Gyroscope | No |
| Compass / Magnetometer | No |
| Barometer | No |
| Temperature Sensor | No |
Intex Aqua Note 5.5 Display — 5.5-Inch Phablet Experience
The centrepiece of the Aqua Note 5.5 is its 5.5-inch HD display at 720×1280 pixels. At this size the phone qualifies as a phablet — occupying the space between a standard smartphone and a tablet. The large display makes it genuinely suited for:
- Reading — books, articles, PDFs and documents with less scrolling
- Video streaming — YouTube, OTT platforms and downloaded content
- Social media — Instagram, Facebook and Twitter feeds with more visible at once
- Navigation — GPS-based maps are easier to read on a 5.5-inch screen
- Photography review — composing and reviewing photos on a larger canvas
At 177 grams and 153 × 77.50mm it is the largest and among the heaviest phones in the Intex 2017 lineup, requiring two hands for comfortable use in most situations.
Intex Aqua Note 5.5 Camera
The camera specification is mid-range for a 2017 budget phablet — an 8MP rear camera for everyday photography and a 5MP front camera for selfies and video calls. Neither camera is listed with flash information in the original specification sheet, which is unusual. Buyers should verify flash availability with the retailer before purchase if flash photography is important.
What the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 Is Suitable For
Given the Band 40 limitation, the Aqua Note 5.5 makes most sense for a narrow set of use cases:
- Wi-Fi only users — if you primarily use the phone on home or office Wi-Fi and do not depend on mobile data, the Band 40 limitation is irrelevant
- Airtel Band 3 areas — some Airtel circles deploy 4G on Band 3 (1800 MHz), which the MT6737VW may support. Check with your local Airtel retailer
- 3G-sufficient users — in areas where 3G speeds are adequate for your usage (basic browsing, messaging, streaming at standard definition), the 3G support on both slots is sufficient
- Large screen priority buyers — if the 5.5-inch display is the primary need and mobile data speed is secondary
Is the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 Worth Buying in 2025?
The Intex Aqua Note 5.5 was a difficult recommendation even at launch given the Band 40 limitation in an Indian market dominated by Band 40 4G deployment. In 2025 the situation is worse — Android 7.0 Nougat is entirely unsupported, Jio (which uses Band 40 exclusively for its VoLTE calls) may not work at all, and 1GB RAM is insufficient for modern apps. This phone is not recommended for purchase in 2025 under any circumstances. For a large-screen budget alternative with confirmed 4G Band 40, consider the Samsung Galaxy A05, Redmi 13C or Realme Narzo N53 — all offering 6.5-inch+ displays with full Indian 4G band support and current Android.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 support 4G in India?
This is the most critical question about this phone. It supports 4G LTE but does NOT support Band 40 — the primary 4G frequency used by Airtel, Jio and Vodafone-Idea in India. Despite listing 4G support, it may be unable to access 4G data on most Indian networks. Verify specific band support with your carrier before buying.
Will Jio 4G work on the Intex Aqua Note 5.5?
Most likely no. Jio operates on Band 40 (2300 MHz) and Band 5 (850 MHz). The Aqua Note 5.5 does not support Band 40. Whether Band 5 is supported depends on the specific MT6737VW variant. Verify with a Jio outlet before purchasing.
What is the display size of the Intex Aqua Note 5.5?
It has a 5.5-inch HD display at 720×1280 pixels — a large phablet screen well suited for reading, video streaming and navigation when connected to Wi-Fi.
Does the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 have FM Radio?
No. The Intex Aqua Note 5.5 does not have an FM Radio tuner. For Intex phones with FM Radio, consider the Aqua Zenith, Aqua Trend Lite or Aqua Power IV.
What processor does the Intex Aqua Note 5.5 use?
It uses a MediaTek MT6737VW 1.25GHz quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage expandable to 128GB via microSD.
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