Infinix ZERO 30 5G (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
At the mention of a flagship smartphone, one might tend to think of a device with maxed-out specs and a rarely affordable price point. However, the ever-expanding smartphone market is split into tiers and flagship devices can also be tiered. A compromise on specs for a more affordable device is not off the table for the average consumer and this is where Infinix focuses. After launching its affordable mid-range gaming smartphone, the Infinix GT 10 Pro, the company has launched its latest flagship which sits within that range, the Infinix ZERO 30 5G. Let’s take a look at what it offers!
Contents, specs and hardware impressions
The Infinix ZERO 30 5G costs around $339, with pricing varying based on the region. It’s worth noting that the phone’s availability is limited to emerging markets as this has been the focus of Infinix so far; but considering the popularity of the Infinix GT 10 Pro, the company might expand to more markets as well. The phone package comes with the following items:
Specs of the device can be found below:
Despite being relatively low cost, the Infinix ZERO 30 5G packs a premium-like feel to it when in use. For the back panel, there are two variants, one with eco leather and one with drop-resistant Gorilla Glass 5 (as the one reviewed). This adds to the classy look and feel of the device while also ensuring durability. Further supplementing the aesthetic appeal is the curved display which you would usually find on pricer phones.
However, the frame is made of plastic which can be divisive considering the flagship moniker. That said, the plastic frame helps to reduce the cost and the weight of the device, and does not feel cheap.
Gunning for the flagship title among mid-rangers, Infinix also committed the sin of higher-tiered flagships: omitting the headphone jack. Considering the company’s focus on offering affordable devices to emerging markets, having a tried-and-tested headphone jack might have been an expected feature of its latest device.
A noticeable hiccup is with the included bumper. I found it to be a rather loose fit for the phone, making it easy to slip off the device when, for example, taking it out of my pocket. Maybe it is due to the early review model and I hope that Infinix addresses this issue in consumer units.
Infinix ZERO 30 5G, a.k.a. the vlogger phone
Infinix’s latest flagship easily makes for a daily driver. The 144Hz AMOLED display delivers swift, responsive controls and also makes for a visual treat, whether it’s to browse your favourite websites or watch videos. The audiovisual experience is enhanced with the dual speakers which deliver quality audio. It also packs most features you’d look for in a phone such as NFC, in-display fingerprint sensor, 5G connectivity and a large, 5000mAh battery for all-day use. However, its USB-C port does not support video output for use on an external monitor or AR glasses.
While I’m not a fan of most pre-installed bloatware, Infinix has included a ChatGPT-powered assistant app called Folax which can be fun to play around with. It recognises voice input and can be handy to ask for recommendations such as video games or ideas for picture/video taking.
This gets us to the phone’s main feature: its cameras. At the rear, the Infinix ZERO 30 5G packs a 108MP+13MP+2MP camera array, allowing you to take quality pictures from different angles. What might be most intriguing is its front-facing 50MP camera as it is capable of video recording at 4K/60fps. This is quite unique in a mid-range phone and makes it really adequate for vlogging, which is one sales angle for the device.
With such features, the Infinix ZERO 30 5G makes it possible to take quality shots on a budget-friendly device with simple point-and-click manoeuvres. That said, the front-facing 4K/60fps isn’t available in all camera modes that the phone’s camera offers. Some of these modes are quite useful, especially for vlogging/streaming such as the split-screen feature. But the touted 4K/60fps feature isn’t available in this mode which feels wanting.
I also found that in some low-lighting conditions, images tend to be washed out. In addition, taking pictures in 108MP with the rear camera and 50MP with the front camera require you to manually toggle these options, which might not be that intuitive. Hopefully some of these issues can be tweaked in future updates.
Gaming on the Infinix ZERO 30 5G
As the Infinix ZERO 30 5G packs the same chip as the Infinix GT 10 Pro, and very similar specs, the gaming performance is also similar. Even if it is a flagship phone, the ZERO 30 5G sits within the mid-range tier and will deliver performance that is reflective of that. Its GeekBench 5 shows as much.
With the Dimensity 8020 processor, you can expect to play Android games fairly well. Dead Cells and the Android ports of Half-Life 2 and Portal play fluidly. The phone also has the XArena games launcher which can be handy to provide in-game stats.
Regarding emulation, Dreamcast titles run at a smooth 60 fps. GameCube performance is also decent, with Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes running at around 35fps at 2x resolution(60fps at 1x resolution) while The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess runs at 30fps at 2x resolution.
As with the GT 10 Pro, PS2 emulation via AetherSX2 will be title dependent and you might need to tweak some settings and temper your expectations. For instance, Ratchet & Clank plays at a variable 40-60fps at 2x resolution but suffers from choppy audio. However, it runs at a smoother 60fps when the resolution is lowered to 1x. Shadow of the Colossus plays at around 25-30fps at 1x resolution but suffers from some audio issues, and performance noticeably drops at 2x resolution.
That said, you can still emulate less demanding games and less demanding systems decently on the Infinix ZERO 30 5G. Gaming is also not the focus of this phone and if you’re more interested in gaming, the $250 Infinix GT 10 Pro might be more appropriate. Nevertheless, at its price-range and mid-range specs, the ZERO 30 5G performs decently enough for gaming and delivers some compelling feats of photography.
Verdict
- Premium feel at an affordable cost
- Decent price-performance ratio
- Camera quality and features
- Availability restricted to certain markets
- Plastic frame might be divisive for a flagship smartphone
- Some XOS bloatware
- Loose bumper
