Infinix HOT 30 Review: How do they do it?

With a multitude of devices launching simultaneously, even for a reviewer like myself who is expected to be knowledgeable about the market, it can be quite overwhelming. However, when I first learned about the HOT 30’s specifications and price, I was genuinely surprised. How does the company manage to offer such impressive specifications at this price point? And these specifications are not just on paper; they actually deliver in real-world usage. The Infinix Hot 30 is an incredible deal, especially if you prioritize RAM and storage, a fantastic display, long battery life, and are willing to overlook the software’s need for improvement, specifically the excessive number of pre-installed apps and the jumbled up user interface.

The Infinix Hot 30 is a budget smartphone that offers an impressive combination of sleek design, powerful performance, and excellent features. In this review, we will explore the specifications, pricing, display, performance, software, camera capabilities, battery life, and more to help you make an informed decision.

Specifications and Pricing

The Infinix Hot 30 series includes multiple models, namely the HOT 30, HOT 30 Play, and HOT 30i. The model under review here is the HOT 30, which comes with a price tag of Kshs 22,899 in Kenya. It offers a generous internal storage capacity of 256GB coupled with 8GB of RAM.

Display

The Infinix Hot 30 features a 6.78-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2460 pixels. The display has a 90Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and enhanced visual experience. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 84.5%, the display provides an immersive viewing experience.

Performance

Powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 chipset built on a 12nm process, the Infinix Hot 30 delivers reliable performance. It houses an octa-core processor with 2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Mali-G52 MC2 GPU handles graphics-intensive tasks, making it suitable for gaming enthusiasts.

Software

The Infinix Hot 30 runs on Android 13 with the XOS 12.6 user interface. While the software experience remains functional, it is marred by numerous unsolicited alerts from pre-installed apps and services. However, it offers a wide range of features and customization options that users may find useful.

Camera

The Hot 30 boasts a capable camera setup. On the rear, it features a dual-camera system with a 50 MP primary sensor and a 0.08 MP depth sensor. The primary sensor offers an aperture of f/1.6, allowing for impressive low-light photography. The device also excels in outdoor photography, capturing vibrant colors and details. On the front, there is an 8 MP selfie camera that produces natural-looking photos with accurate skin tones.

Battery Life

The Infinix Hot 30 is equipped with a non-removable 5000 mAh Li-Po battery, which offers a full day of usage on a single charge. With moderate usage, it is possible to stretch the battery life to two days. The device supports 33W wired fast charging, ensuring that it can be quickly recharged when needed.

Connectivity

The Hot 30 provides a comprehensive range of connectivity options. It includes NFC, a feature not commonly found in budget Infinix smartphones. The presence of a headphone jack ensures compatibility with both wired and wireless audio devices. The device also supports fast data transfer speeds and charging through its USB Type-C port.

Design and Build Quality

The Infinix Hot 30 sports a sleek design with rounded corners that improve its grip and handling. The device feels sturdy and substantial in the hand, offering a premium feel despite its budget-friendly price. However, the camera protrusions at the back can cause the device to wobble when placed on a flat surface, although this can be mitigated by using a protective case.

Conclusion

The Infinix Hot 30 is an impressive budget smartphone that offers a compelling combination of design, performance, and features.

With its sleek design, good cameras, long-lasting battery, and fast charging capabilities, it ticks all the boxes for a budget device. While the software experience may be marred by unwanted apps and notifications, the overall package provides excellent value for money.

At a price of KES 22,899, the Infinix Hot 30 is one of the best budget smartphones available in Kenya as of mid-2023.