Infinix Zero 30 5G: Redefining Your Perception of the Infinix Brand

I’ve had the pleasure of using the Infinix Zero 30 5G for over a month now, and it’s a smartphone that you’d absolutely want to have. Yes, even those of you who have previously criticized Infinix devices for being priced beyond your expectations.

Before diving into the specifics of the Zero 30, let me provide a brief overview: Infinix in 2023, and over the past few years, has evolved significantly from its traditional image. While it was once known for producing highly affordable smartphones packed with impressive features, it has since transcended that reputation. Infinix now manufactures smartphones that can compete with the top brands in the market. They’re positioning themselves as the leading smartphone brand you think of when shopping for your next device. The epitome of this transformation is embodied in the Zero 30 5G.

This device excels both internally and externally.

Firstly, let’s talk about the design, which is truly impressive. It’s one of the top five features of the device for me. Available in three colors, each influences the type of back you get—whether it’s a soft-touch material with a gentle rubbery feel or a robust back that fits snugly in your palms.

The curved display and the sleek metallic frame seamlessly blend with the back of the device, creating a truly enjoyable user experience, even without a case. However, you might consider using a cover to mitigate the slight wobbling caused by the protruding camera housing on the back. Additionally, the gently rounded edges of the device ensure that it doesn’t dig into your palm, unlike devices with flat, pointed corners. This contributes to a more comfortable grip and overall usage experience.

The camera experience on the Infinix Zero 30 5G takes center stage in every aspect of this device, and it’s easy to understand why. Infinix has truly gone all out on both fronts—photography and videography. Unlike before, when photography dominated the conversation, this time, while improving it significantly, Infinix ensured that videography is also a key focus. Both the impressive 108-megapixel main camera and the 50-megapixel front camera can shoot 4K video at 60 frames per second, putting it on par with any high-end smartphone in the market. From my personal experience, the device performs exceptionally well. For content creators, including vloggers, this is the device to get.

The 108-megapixel main camera boasts both optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS), providing comprehensive shake reduction. The primary distinction between the two lies in their mechanisms. OIS relies on hardware adjustments, with the lens physically moving to compensate for motion, whereas EIS operates through software, utilizing the phone’s accelerometer to detect movement and align frames accordingly.

These stabilization features are particularly beneficial when utilizing the lossless zoom supported by the main lens. Even with zooming in, most details are preserved, with digital noise becoming noticeable only at further magnifications.

The Infinix Zero 30 5G delivers excellent snaps, meeting expectations effortlessly. It strikes a superb balance in dynamic range during daylight captures, with blues appearing natural and devoid of any greenish hue. Furthermore, details are vividly captured, especially in nighttime shots, particularly in close-ups featuring distant light sources.

As a feature-packed device, the camera system offers numerous software features to enhance usability across various scenarios. For example, cinematic filters are integrated to impart a cinematic vibe to your shots. Additionally, the dual video feature, also found on devices like the Oppo Reno5, allows for simultaneous recording from both front and rear cameras.

A particularly useful feature built into the camera is the automatic QR code reader. Although not as seamless as the iPhone’s point-and-shoot functionality from the stock viewfinder, it can be triggered easily from the dropdown Quick Settings shortcuts menu. Simply swipe from the right side of the screen from the notification bar to access it.

One notable aspect of the software experience on the Zero 30 5G is the minimal presence of bloatware. Unlike previous Infinix smartphones we’ve reviewed, this device offers the cleanest software experience we’ve encountered on a Transsion Group device. XOS 13.1, the operating system running on this device, is streamlined, user-friendly, and focuses on delivering essential features rather than overwhelming users with unnecessary functionalities.

The AI integration on the Zero 30 5G extends beyond Folax. The AI Gallery app, which may be familiar to users from older Infinix devices, has received updates to enhance its functionality. It now supports more extensive searches across multiple languages, akin to how you might use Google Photos. While it may not be groundbreaking, we appreciate the effort to improve gallery apps, as the pre-installed options on many devices often just suffice for basic functionality.