Infinix launched its latest Hot 30 5G, the company’s latest budget 5G smartphone in the Hot series in India in an attempt to bring 5G connectivity to the masses.
Starting at Rs. 12,499, the Hot 30 5G features 120Hz refresh rate, 14 5G bands, IP53 rating and a massive 6000mAh battery. Can Infinix make a dent in under Rs. 15K price range with its latest Hot series phone? Let’s check it out.
Design
The Infinix Hot 30 5G design looks similar to the Note 30, which was launched back in May. It features a matte-finish rear panel and a reflective frame; however, it feels not-so-premium, which is decent for this price point. Notably, the back panel also prevents smudges on the back.
For Hot 30 5G, Infinix used polycarbonate for the frame and rear panel, as it helps manage the weight, which is further increased by the 6,000mAh battery, giving the phone a slightly chunky appearance.
Like Note 30 5G, Infinix Hot 30 5G also has an official IP53 rating for dust and water resistance. While it may not be the highest IP standard, having this protection level provides users peace of mind. The slightly boxy design of the phone results in thicker bezels around the display, especially at the bottom edge. The display features a hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera and comes with a screen protector by default. The phone offers stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
The SIM card tray includes three dedicated slots for two nano-SIM cards and a microSD card. Charging the large 6,000mAh battery takes time with the included 18W charger.
Display and Performance
The Infinix Hot 30 5G features a 6.78-inch FHD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate display that offers punchy colors by default. Brightness in indoors and outdoors is sufficient, making it easier to take photos or view content. However, indoor content viewing provides a good experience, thanks to the Widevine L1 certification that allows for full HD quality playback during video streaming.
The display’s refresh rate has three options — 60hz, 90hz, and 120Hz. However, it only switches between 120Hz and 60Hz when set to auto.
The Infinix Hot 30 5G is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 6080 SoC, a budget chipset with 5G connectivity and support for 14 5G bands.
For day-to-day casual usage, the performance was good; however, if thrown with intensive tasks, the struggle becomes evident. Unsurprisingly, the software experience on the Infinix Hot 30 5G needs to improve in some aspects.
For example, the camera app’s interface is messy and can be overwhelmingly loaded with numerous options. It features an AI Cam mode, an AI button for scene recognition, separate Beauty and Portrait shooting modes, a video mode, and a Film mode for adding effects to videos. While additional modes can be accessed by swiping up from the carousel, the interface may feel cluttered for some users.
The Infinix Hot 30 5G comes pre-loaded with several bloatware apps that cannot be uninstalled and third-party apps that can be removed if not needed.
Cameras
The Infinix Hot 30 5G has two rear-facing cameras, although only one is accessible to the user. The primary camera boasts a 50MP and an AI camera. The 8MP front-facing camera captures selfies.
In daylight conditions, the primary camera takes sharp photos with good details. The dynamic range is decent. However, the colors tend to be slightly saturated. The phone lacks a dedicated macro mode, but close-up shots exhibit good details and vibrant colors.
The primary camera delivers average photo quality in low-light environments, with decent dynamic range and color saturation. The details may be slightly lacking, and there can be clipped highlights in bright light sources and dark patches in shadows.
Enabling the dedicated Night mode improves image quality, providing better dynamic range, details, and sharpness. However, this improvement is mainly noticeable in well-lit scenes, as using Night mode in dimly lit areas may result in less impressive results with flat textures.
Daylight selfies exhibit decent quality, with limited details and dynamic range.
The Portrait mode’s edge detection must be more accurate, resulting in subpar results. In low-light conditions, selfies have average details and may appear soft. Night mode can be used for selfies but tends to over sharpen the images without adding extra detail.
Battery
The Infinix Hot 30 5G features a massive, 6000mAH battery with 18W fast charging capabilities. During our day-to-day usage, the battery lasted for a day comfortably with an extra 15 to 20% charge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Infinix Hot 30 5G offers a compelling package with its sleek design, 5G connectivity, and impressive camera capabilities. However, some aspects, such as the overwhelming software interface and average camera, could be improved. Nevertheless, considering its budget-friendly price point, it presents a viable option for users seeking a 5G-enabled smartphone with decent performance and battery capabilities.
Pricing and availability
Infinix Hot 30 5G is priced at Rs. 12,499 for the 4GB + 128GB model and the 8GB + 128GB model costs Rs. 13,499. It will be available from Flipkart starting from July 18th. There is Rs. 1000 instant discount with Axis Bank Credit, debit cards and EMI.
Pros
- 6000mAh battery
- Competitive price
- Decent performance
- 3.5mm audio jack
Cons
- Average camera
- Uncertainty about Android updates
- Bloatware