Review Verdict: Infinix has set a new standard for budget phones in the Philippines with the NOTE 30 5G, as it is a rare breed of under Php 10k devices with 5G connectivity and decent overall performance. There’s still room for improvement in the main camera, as the issues with color accuracy can be possibly resolved through an update.

Pros

-Great speakers

-Good processor of choice

Cons

-Inconsistent color accuracy on the main camera

-Lots of preinstalled bloatware

Following a global launch, Infinix makes the NOTE 30 series available in the Philippines, with the 5G version being the main highlight. Just like its predecessors, Infinix takes on an ambitious goal of keeping the NOTE 30 5G at an under Php 10k price tag while offering a decent set of features that include 45w fast charging and 5G connectivity. Does the NOTE 30 5G live up to the reputation of its predecessors?

Design

Infinix kept the design of the NOTE 30 5G simple, with the back panel having a nice frosted finish to it. The large camera module has an LED flash and the 108-megapixel ISOCELL HM6 main camera on the top part, while the bottom part has a 2-megapixel depth sensor, AI camera, and a decorative circle.

The frame has a glossy finish, with the top portion having a “sound by JBL” branding, making the NOTE 30 5G the first in the series to get custom-tuned stereo speakers. Compared to our experience with previous NOTE models, the stereo speakers on the NOTE 30 5G do have a better overall soundstage. They are more detailed than the stereo speakers we tried on other mid-range phones, including those that are more expensive than the NOTE 30 5G.

The NOTE 30 5G weighs 205 grams, and we notice that the phone is top-heavy, so you need to be mindful of how you hold it, especially in a vertical orientation. Like its predecessor, the bottom part has a second speaker, headphone jack, and USB-C port, while the right side has the volume controls and power button that also doubles as a headphone jack.

The retail units sold in the Philippines come with a specially-branded Mobile Legends case since Infinix is the official partner for MPL Season 11.

Infinix NOTE 30 5G Review Philippines: Display

In order to keep 5G connectivity at an under Php 10k price point, Infinix switched from AMOLED to IPS on the NOTE 30 5G. While we miss the deep blacks and vibrant colors of the NOTE 12 4G, the NOTE 30 5G’s IPS panel has a smoother 120hz refresh rate that can shift between 90hz and 60hz when needed. Aside from that, the touch response is much better with this display–and it’s noticeable when you play games with it.

If we were to nitpick the display, it has to be those thick bezels and that very thick chin–at least for 2023 standards. To be fair to Infinix, we have yet to see an under Php 10k phone that features slim bezels. Maybe that’s the next challenge phone brands may consider: instead of pushing for curved displays, why not go for a flat display with razor-thin bezels?

Bezels aside, the IPS display of the NOTE 30 5G is decent. Pair that with JBL-tuned stereo speakers that sound great, and Infinix definitely did a good job in making the NOTE 30 5G an all-around budget entertainment device.

 

 

Infinix NOTE 30 5G Review Philippines: Cameras

While Infinix usually uses a 64-megapixel sensor on its under Php 10k offerings, the NOTE 30 5G steps it up by using a 108-megapixel ISOCELL HM6 for the main camera. The increase in megapixels does help the NOTE 30 5G take better photos, but we think that it can still be improved through software updates.

Consistent with our findings in our first impressions, one thing we noticed about the NOTE 30 5G is that its color accuracy can be inconsistent at times when you are simply using the phone’s regular mode (aka AI cam on the NOTE 30 5G). Compared to the competition, the NOTE 30 5G has a tendency to oversaturate colors, making some scenes look artificial. However, the main camera does a great job of preserving details even in low light–more so when you use its Super Night mode.

The higher-resolution main camera allows for better 2x digital zoom performance, with photos shot in this mode being very usable, especially in daylight and indoor lighting conditions. Like its predecessor, you can shoot videos at up to 2K/1440p resolution, which is a nice touch, especially on an under Php 10k phone.

 

Infinix NOTE 30 5G Review Philippines: Internals and Battery Life

While the NOTE 30 5G also has 8GB RAM and up to 256GB internal storage like its predecessor, the main upgrade here is the 5G-ready processor in the form of a Dimensity 6080. A new name for the Dimensity 810 that’s found on the NOTE 12 Pro 5G, the Dimensity 810 is a solid choice for an under Php 10k device.

Comparing it to the competition, the NOTE 30 5G is a solid pick for its price. Beyond being a rare under Php 10k phone to have 5G connectivity, the Dimensity 6080 is a decent processor for gaming as well. It does not come as a surprise that Infinix promotes the NOTE 30 series as part of its partnership with MPL Season 11: based on the tests we ran using Gamebench, the NOTE 30 5G can run demanding titles like Genshin Impact at medium graphics comfortably.

The NOTE 30 5G comes with Android 13-based XOS 13 out of the box. While we like the Free Fire-themed customizations, we wished that Infinix tone down the amount of bloatware that’s preinstalled. While some of them can be uninstalled, the others remain uninstallable, robbing you of storage space that you could use for your media files or games.

Aside from having 5G connectivity, the NOTE 30 5G is class-leading in the under Php 10k segment for offering 45w fast charging. With the included charger, you can top up the NOTE 30 5G’s 5000mAh battery in less than an hour, which is very fast for a budget device. As for battery life, the NOTE 30 5G rated 13 hours 45 minutes in PCMark’s battery benchmark test in auto switch refresh rate (60/90/120hz), which means that it should last you for more than a day with moderate use.

Infinix NOTE 30 5G Review Philippines: Wrap-up and Conclusions

Despite its fair share of shortcomings, Infinix has set a new standard when it comes to the under Php 10k segment by adding 5G connectivity with the NOTE 30 5G. You’d be hard-pressed to find a phone that’s as stacked as the NOTE 30 5G in the Philippines, especially if you will consider factors like the JBL-tuned stereo speakers, responsive display, and a decent Dimensity 6080 processor that can handle serious gaming on the side.

Infinix NOTE 30 5G Review Philippines: Price

The NOTE 30 5G is priced at Php 9,999 for the 256GB model and Php 9,499 for the 128GB model. It will become available first in Lazada starting May 30 and will be available at offline stores, Shopee, and TikTok shop starting June 6.