The budget smartphone world just got a little more exciting. Meet the Infinix Hot 30i — a stylish and affordable phone that promises power, looks, and features without burning a hole in your wallet. I spent a week with this little beast, and it’s time to spill the beans.
TL;DR
The Infinix Hot 30i is a solid budget smartphone with a premium design, great battery life, and smooth performance for everyday use. It has a big, bright display and plenty of storage for the price. Camera performance is average, but acceptable for the range. If you want a stylish phone under a budget, this one’s worth checking out.
Design and Build: Shiny and Stylish
The first thing that caught my eye was the design. It doesn’t look like a budget phone at all. The back panel has a glossy finish with a mirror-like effect that shines in the light. It’s plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap in hand.
You can get the Hot 30i in fun colors like Glacier Blue, Mirror Black, and Diamond White. The frame is well built, and it doesn’t feel fragile. At 191g, it feels just right — not too heavy, not too light.
Display: Big, Bright, and Smooth
The Hot 30i has a 6.6-inch HD+ LCD display. What makes it special at this price is the refresh rate — it’s a 90Hz screen! That means scrolling through apps and web pages feels smoother than what you’d expect from a budget device.
Brightness levels are decent even when you’re outside. Colors are vibrant, though sometimes a little too punchy. Watching videos and playing light games feels enjoyable thanks to the large screen area.
Performance: Surprising Power
Under the hood, the Hot 30i is powered by the MediaTek Helio G37 processor. It’s paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. That’s a lot of space to pack in your favorite apps, games, and selfies.
Multitasking on this phone is smooth. I could switch between apps quickly with hardly any lag. It won’t beat high-end gaming phones, but for day-to-day stuff like YouTube, WhatsApp, Chrome, and Instagram, it runs like butter.
Big thumbs up for the RAM expansion feature too. It can use a part of the storage as “virtual RAM” — making the phone feel even smoother in use.
Gaming: Casual Fun
If you’re into casual mobile games like Subway Surfers, Clash of Clans, or Free Fire, the Hot 30i can handle them just fine. The 90Hz display helps deliver a fun experience during gaming sessions.
For heavier games like Call of Duty Mobile, you’ll need to turn down the graphics a bit. Expect a few stutters during intense action scenes, but overall it’s playable. Just keep your expectations in check.
Software: XOS and Sweet Features
The phone runs on XOS 12, based on Android 12. XOS brings a bunch of nifty tools and customizations. There’s a game mode, a smart panel that slides in from the side, and theme options to change your phone’s look easily.
Yes, there are some pre-installed apps (bloatware), but you can uninstall most of them. Navigation is easy, animations are snappy, and the UI feels friendly for first-time smartphone users.
Cameras: Average but Functional
The camera setup on the Hot 30i includes:
- 13MP main rear camera
- AI lens to assist photography
- 8MP front camera for selfies
Don’t expect flagship-level photography here. That said, in good lighting conditions, the rear camera clicks nice-looking photos. It struggles a bit in low light and indoor shots.
The selfie camera is fine for Instagram stories and video calls. There’s also beauty mode, portrait mode, and even a night mode — though the results may vary.
Image not found in postmetaBattery Life: All-Day Confidence
The 5000mAh battery on the Hot 30i is a true powerhouse. I got more than a day of juice with typical usage — which is browsing, some gaming, YouTube binging, and of course, endless scrolling on social media.
Charging is done via a Type-C port and supports 18W fast charging. It’s not blazing fast, but better than the boring old 10W chargers we often get at this price.
Here’s a quick idea of what you can expect:
- Up to 16 hours of video playback
- Up to 120 hours of music playback
- Almost 40 hours of talk time
Security & Other Features
You get a handy side-mounted fingerprint scanner. It’s built into the power button and works fast. There’s also AI face unlock that works decently in daylight.
The phone has a headphone jack (yay!), FM radio, and supports 2 SIM cards plus a dedicated slot for microSD cards. That means more storage without giving up your second SIM. Smart!
What I Loved
- Premium design that turns heads
- 90Hz display for smoother visuals
- Big battery with reliable performance
- Ample storage and RAM for the price
- Decent gaming performance on a budget
What Could Be Better
- Cameras struggle in low light
- Bloatware in the software
- Average charging speed
Verdict: Pocket-Friendly Hero
The Infinix Hot 30i offers great value for money. It’s got the looks, the battery, and the performance to impress anyone shopping in the budget range. Sure, the camera’s not great in the dark, and the charger isn’t blazing fast — but hey, something’s gotta give.
So, is it worth it? Absolutely! If your budget is tight but your expectations aren’t, the Hot 30i could surprise you in the best way possible.
Image not found in postmetaThat’s all for this hands-on review! Whether you’re upgrading from an old phone or buying your first, the Infinix Hot 30i is one of the smartest picks in the budget arena right now.