Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://www.infinixmobility.com/NOTE-30-VIP
After launching the budget-friendly gaming smartphone GT 10 Pro and flagship ZERO 30 5G, Infinix is back with a new smartphone: the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition. The latter is actually a new flavour of a model Infinix launched earlier this year but with the Racing Edition, the company has partnered with BMW's Design Works to bring an exclusive design. We’ll take a closer look at this limited-edition model in this review.
Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition & Gift Box Contents
The approximate price tag of the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition is $315, and the exact pricing will vary based on the region. Infinix has mostly focused on emerging markets, so availability might be limited (on top of this being a limited edition model). Infinix has a gift box that accompanies this phone model which comes with the phone, earbuds and a wireless charger.
As for the device’s specs, they can be found below:
Classy hardware design in partnership with BMW's Design Works
While the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition cost leans more towards the budget-friendly spectrum, its build is my favourite among the other Infinix devices I’ve tried. With a punch-hole camera, glossy sides, in-display fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack and leather grain back, it packs a classy look that’s comparable to pricier counterparts. Sure, the plastic shell might be divisive but it helps keep costs down as well as enables the phone to be lightweight.
The back cover of the phone is of particular interest as it features the touted “3D Lighting Leather technology”. What this means is that it enables light to shine through it. On the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition, this delivers a unique effect that features BMW’s iconic tri-color and doubles as notification indicators.
In addition, the leather grain back cover provides a premium feel to the device. BMW's Design Works also designed it to feature subtle racing-themed elements such as chequered flag and small embossed triangles, reminiscent of performance racing steering wheels. On top of adding an original touch, these elements also help provide a firmer grip on the device.
While Infinix enables you to choose the backlighting pattern for different notification types, you cannot customise the pattern or intensity to your liking. In addition, you cannot visualise the actual backlight effect from the option available. You can only do so through the on-screen animation but being able to visualise the effect in real-time while making a selection would be more informative.
As for the other hardware included in the Gift Box, they are welcome inclusions that make for a value-for-money purchase. However, considering the whole BMW partnership angle of this phone, it is somewhat surprising that the earbuds are also not BMW-themed.
Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition gaming performance
As the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP is powered by the Dimensity 8050, which is the same one featured in the Infinix GT 10 Pro, the phone positions itself as a mid-range device in terms of performance, as its GeekBench 5 scores attest.
With the Dimensity 8050, gaming is fairly decent at the $315 price point of this phone. As with other Infinix phones, the NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition features the handy XArena games launcher which also provides some handy in-game stats.
As for actual performance, you can expect Android games to run smoothly. For instance, the Android versions of Half-Life 2 and Portal run fluidly without any issues.
Emulation is also up to snuff on systems up to the GameCube. For the latter at 2x resolution, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess runs at 30fps and Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes runs at 60fps.
However, the emulation performance limit is felt with more demanding systems such as PS2. On AetherSX2 at 1x resolution, Ratchet & Clank runs around 45-60fps with some occasional performance dips and audio distortion. Performance tanks more considerably with Shadow of the Colossus, which runs between 15-30fps and some choppy audio.
So don’t expect to play every PS2 game on the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition. It’s not exactly geared towards gaming but it can handle up to GameCube titles decently. More demanding systems might be title-dependent, so you’ll have to manage your expectations as this is decidedly a mid-range phone in terms of emulation performance.
A unique-looking, classy phone that won’t break the bank
Aside from gaming, the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition is well suited as a daily driver. Its classy looks and unique “3D Lighting Leather technology” helps it standout. The 6.67” AMOLED display delivers crisp images and videos with colours that pop, and interaction is swift with the 120Hz refresh rate.
With the 5000mAh battery, you can easily have a whole day’s use. When in need for a pit stop, the included 68W charger will ensure you can quickly refuel the device.
The camera array is also adequate for taking pictures whether it’s close-ups or landscapes. On this front, it’s not as feature-rich as the vlogging-oriented Infinix ZERO 30 5G but it is decent enough. However, depending on the lighting condition, pictures can look washed out.
However, as with other Infinix phones, the preinstalled bloatware isn’t attractive. Having the option to choose and install them, rather than having them preinstalled, would be welcome. Also, the phone’s USB port does not support video output, meaning you cannot mirror the display to a portable monitor or smart glasses. This missing feature is also noticeable in other Infinix phones and might be a concession to keep costs down.
Overall, the Infinix NOTE 30 VIP Racing Edition sits somewhere between the Infinix GT 10 Pro and the Infinix ZERO 30 5G. It’s not exactly gaming-oriented nor vlogging-focused but performs decently on both fronts to serve as an adequate daily driver. If you do choose it, it will offer a classy-looking phone at an affordable price point.
Verdict
- Attractive design
- Affordable, limited edition model
- Features headphone jack
- Generous gift box with earbuds and wireless charger
- Preinstalled XOS bloatware
- USB-C does not support video output
- Limited backlight customisation
- Emulation performance caps as from PS2
