Infinix Hot 60i Review: A Budget Phone with Premium Upgrades
The Infinix Hot 60i enters the market as a strong contender in the budget smartphone category, but with features that hint at a more premium experience. For users looking to save money without sacrificing essential smartphone capabilities, this device might just be the sweet spot. Let’s take a deeper look into what makes the Hot 60i stand out.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice about the Infinix Hot 60i is its stylish appearance. Despite its budget status, the phone features a sleek design with a glossy back finish that catches the light beautifully. The rear panel, while made of plastic, doesn't feel cheap and is available in several vibrant colors that appeal to younger audiences.
It has a comfortable grip and a slim profile, making it easy to use one-handed. The fingerprint sensor is conveniently placed on the side, doubling as a power button, and it responds quickly and reliably.
Display
The phone sports a 6.6-inch HD+ IPS LCD display, offering vibrant colors and decent brightness levels. While it won’t compete with flagship OLED screens, the viewing experience is surprisingly good for its price range. Whether you're watching videos, scrolling through social media, or playing games, the screen is sharp enough for everyday use.
A 90Hz refresh rate is the unexpected star here. It's a feature rarely seen in budget phones and adds smoothness to navigation and scrolling, making the user experience feel much more fluid than you'd expect.
Performance
Under the hood, the Infinix Hot 60i is powered by a Unisoc T606 processor, paired with up to 8GB of RAM (including virtual RAM support) and 128GB of internal storage. This setup is more than sufficient for daily tasks like browsing, messaging, and even light gaming.
For a phone in this price category, multitasking is handled fairly well. Apps open quickly, and background tasks are managed effectively. While it’s not a powerhouse for gaming, titles like Free Fire and Subway Surfers run smoothly with medium settings.
Software Experience
Running on XOS (based on Android 13 Go Edition or Android 13, depending on the variant), the software is user-friendly and packed with customization features. While it comes with some pre-installed apps (bloatware), most of them can be removed or disabled.
The interface is colorful and responsive, with features like dark mode, smart panel, and gesture navigation adding to the convenience. Software updates may not be as frequent as in premium models, but for most users, it covers the essentials.
Camera Setup
The Infinix Hot 60i includes a dual-camera setup on the back, led by a 50MP primary sensor. In good lighting, the camera delivers sharp and vibrant photos that are more than social-media worthy. There’s also AI enhancement for improving scene detection and optimizing image quality.
The selfie camera comes in at 8MP and performs decently in well-lit conditions. Don’t expect studio-quality shots, but for video calls and quick selfies, it gets the job done.
Low-light performance is limited, as expected, but there’s a dedicated night mode that helps brighten shots, albeit with some noise.
Battery Life
One of the strongest points of the Infinix Hot 60i is its 5,000mAh battery. It easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use, making it a reliable option for students, travelers, and anyone constantly on the go.
With 18W fast charging support, topping up the battery doesn’t take forever, although it's not the fastest either. Still, considering the price range, it’s a welcome feature.
Connectivity and Extras
4G LTE support is available, which ensures fast mobile internet speeds.
USB Type-C port is a modern touch in a budget phone.
Headphone jack remains, a relief for users who still rely on wired audio.
There’s also support for expandable storage via microSD, dual SIM capability, and face unlock for added convenience.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Stylish design and build quality
Smooth 90Hz refresh rate
Long-lasting battery life
Capable 50MP main camera
Side-mounted fingerprint scanner
Good performance for its class
Cons:
Bloatware in the software
Low-light photography is average
Processor not suited for heavy gaming
Final Verdict
The Infinix Hot 60i proves that budget phones don’t have to feel cheap. With thoughtful upgrades like a 90Hz display, a 50MP camera, and a large battery, it offers incredible value for the price. While it’s not without compromises, it easily meets the needs of casual users, students, or anyone looking for a secondary phone.
If you're on a tight budget but still want a phone that looks good, performs reliably, and lasts all day, the Infinix Hot 60i is well worth considering.
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