Is the Infinix Zero 40 Worth It? Full Review of Performance, Camera, and Battery Life

Infinix Zero 40 Review: A Feature-Packed Mid-Range Phone With Impressive Performance

Infinix has been making waves in the smartphone market by offering high-end features at a fraction of the price of flagship phones. The Infinix Zero 40 is no exception, with its stunning design, powerful performance, and standout camera features. But like every device, it comes with its own set of advantages and limitations. Here’s an in-depth review of the Infinix Zero 40.

Infinix Zero 40: A budget-friendly smartphone with premium features

Stunning Display with Smooth Scrolling

The Infinix Zero 40 comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display that offers a sharp, vibrant, and immersive experience. Whether you're watching videos, playing games, or scrolling through social media, the 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, providing a much more fluid interaction than the standard 60Hz displays. The deep blacks and rich colors of the AMOLED panel contribute to a premium viewing experience, especially in media consumption. With Gorilla Glass 5 protection, the display is also built to withstand accidental drops and scratches.

The always-on display feature is an added convenience, providing quick access to the time, date, and notifications without unlocking your phone. It's a small but useful feature that enhances the overall usability of the device.

Camera Performance: Capturing the Moment with Precision

One of the standout features of the Infinix Zero 40 is its impressive 108MP primary camera. This high-resolution sensor takes incredibly detailed shots in broad daylight, with good color accuracy and exposure. Whether you're capturing landscapes, portraits, or close-ups, the Zero 40 delivers impressive results. The 50MP front camera also stands out, making it an excellent choice for selfie enthusiasts. It offers sharp details, great skin tones, and a natural blur effect in portrait mode, making selfies look professional.

The ultra-wide lens and depth sensor further enhance your photography options. While the ultra-wide sensor captures more of the scene, the depth sensor helps in achieving pleasing portrait shots with a creamy bokeh effect.

However, one area where the camera system could be better is video recording. While you can shoot in 4K, the video quality suffers from shakiness and lack of smoothness, especially when recording while in motion. If you're looking for stable and professional-grade videos, this might be a limitation to keep in mind.

Battery Life: A Full Day's Power

The 5000mAh battery of the Infinix Zero 40 is more than capable of lasting through a full day of moderate usage. Whether you're browsing the web, streaming videos, or chatting on social media, you can expect at least 7 to 8 hours of screen-on time. This is a solid battery life for most users, meaning you'll be able to get through the day without constantly worrying about recharging.

But when you do need to charge, the 45W fast charging is a standout feature. In just 25 minutes, you can charge the phone to about 60%, and a full charge takes only about 1 hour 30 minutes. This makes it incredibly convenient, especially for users on the go who don't have much time to sit and charge their device. The bypass charging mode is a bonus for gamers, as it ensures that the device uses direct power instead of battery charge, preventing overheating during long gaming sessions.

Performance: Smooth But Not Perfect

Under the hood, the Infinix Zero 40 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset, paired with up to 12GB of RAM. The device offers smooth performance for most tasks, from multitasking to casual gaming. However, it does have its limitations when it comes to heavy gaming. Titles like Real Cricket may experience frame drops and occasional lag, which could affect the gaming experience. For light-to-medium gaming, though, the device performs decently.

While the UFS 2.1 storage is adequate, it does fall behind more premium devices with UFS 3.1 for faster read/write speeds. This means that heavy app users and gamers may notice slower load times or app startup times compared to more high-end devices.

Audio Quality: Loud and Clear, But Could Be Better

The dual JBL-tuned speakers on the Infinix Zero 40 offer decent sound output. The sound is loud and clear, but it lacks the depth and bass you might expect from a higher-end device. The speakers are good for casual listening and video watching, but if you're an audiophile or enjoy immersive music sessions, you might be disappointed. The Hi-Res Audio support does help in producing better audio quality when using wired or wireless headphones, but the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack might be inconvenient for some.

Software: Clean, User-Friendly Interface

The Infinix Zero 40 runs on XOS 14.5, which is based on Android 14. The software experience is smooth, with plenty of customization options to make your phone truly yours. XOS offers useful features such as app cloning, dark mode, and game mode for enhanced performance during gaming. Additionally, the phone comes with regular software updates, which is a great plus for those who want the latest features and security patches.

That said, some users have reported occasional software glitches. These include minor issues like fingerprint sensor lag and UI inconsistencies. However, these bugs are often ironed out in software updates, so they shouldn't be a dealbreaker for most users.

Conclusion: Should You Buy the Infinix Zero 40?

The Infinix Zero 40 is an excellent choice for those looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't compromise on design or features. The stunning AMOLED display, powerful 108MP camera, and fast charging capabilities make it a solid contender in the mid-range category. It provides great value for money, especially for users who prioritize photography, display quality, and long-lasting battery life.

Pros and Cons of Infinix Zero 40

Here's a summary of its pros and cons:

Pros:

1. Design & Build Quality:

   • Attractive design with a sleek and modern look.
   • IP54 rating makes it dust and splash resistant.
   • Under-display fingerprint sensor is fast and accurate.

2. Display:

   • 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals and vibrant colors.
   • Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
   • Always-on display for added convenience.
   • Good visibility even under direct sunlight.

3. Camera Performance:

   • Strong camera setup with a 108MP main sensor, 50MP ultra-wide, and 2MP depth sensor.
   • 50MP front camera for high-quality selfies.
   • Good daylight photo quality with decent details and post-processing work.
   • 4K video recording on both front and rear cameras.

4. Battery Life:

   • 5000mAh battery provides impressive endurance, with around 7-8 hours of screen-on time.
   • Fast 45W wired charging, which can charge up to 60% in just 25 minutes.
   • Bypass charging feature for gamers.

5. Audio:

   • Dual speakers with JBL tuning for a better audio experience.
   • Hi-Res Audio support, including wireless audio.

6. Connectivity:

   • NFC support and Infrared port for added functionality.
   • FM Radio support.

7. Software:

   • Runs Android 14 with the XOS 14.5 interface, providing a clean user experience with frequent software updates.

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Cons:

1. Build Quality of Accessories:

   • Low-quality protective case included with the phone, which may break easily after a few uses.

2. Performance:

   • While the phone has the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 chipset, performance can be inconsistent, especially with heavy apps or gaming. There are occasional jitters and frame drops.
   • UFS 2.1 storage could have been upgraded to UFS 3.1 for better speed and performance.

3. Audio Quality:

   • Sound is somewhat flat with less bass, and the loudness can be improved.

4. Gaming Performance:

   • Casual gaming is fine, but heavier games like "Real Cricket" experience performance issues, including frame drops and lag.

5. No 3.5mm Audio Jack:

   • The absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may be inconvenient for users who prefer wired audio solutions.

6. Camera Limitations:

   • Video stability, especially at 4K and 2K resolutions, is not smooth, with noticeable shakes during recording.
   • Low saturation in some selfie shots, which may not appeal to users looking for more vivid colors.

7. Software Bugs:

   • Minor glitches and bugs in the software experience (e.g., fingerprint sensor issues and occasional UI glitches) that may affect user satisfaction.

8. No Wireless Charging:

   • The phone does not support wireless charging, which may be a disadvantage for some users in this price range.

Final Verdict:

The Infinix Zero 40 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers, offering premium features without breaking the bank. It delivers great value with its impressive display, solid camera performance, and fast charging capabilities. However, there are some trade-offs, including limitations in performance and audio quality, as well as the absence of features like wireless charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

For those who prioritize top-tier performance in every aspect, particularly gamers or power users, the Infinix Zero 40 might not be the best fit. Issues such as the lack of a headphone jack, occasional software glitches, and minor performance dips during intensive gaming could deter some. Nonetheless, for the majority of users, this phone strikes a well-rounded balance between cost, functionality, and key features.