Infinix GT 30 Pro review – “Less bulk and slightly better performance than its predecessor”

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  • A slight performance upgrade compared to the Infinix GT 20 Pro
  • Solid battery life and good heat management
  • Much more pleasant to hold with a more slender design

Over a period, if you’ve been following Pocket Gamer (thanks for doing so!), you may remember my review of the Infinix GT 20 Pro last year. Its gaming prowess left a lasting impression on me, making it my go-to phone ever since. So, when I got the chance to test its successor, the Infinix GT 30 Pro, I was filled with anticipation. I was eager to see how the team had improved upon their design after a year of tweaks. However, upon using it, everything seems rather underwhelming. But remember, this feeling isn’t solely because of the phone itself. Let me clarify why.

Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate chipset has been installed, which, as anticipated, represents an upgrade compared to its previous model. Similarly, it boasts a Mali-G615 MC6 GPU, another enhancement over the GT 20 Pro. On paper, it’s evidently a more potent device, and it performs that way in practice as well. However, you have to look closely to spot the difference.

Familiar, if slightly better, performance from the Infinix GT 30 Pro

My GT 20 Pro did, and continues to, play anything I throw at it flawlessly on pretty high graphics settings without much bother. And, as you’re probably expecting me to say, based on the flow of this review, the Infinix GT 30 Pro does, too. It’s just not a monumental leap forward by any means. And I’m not entirely sure why I expected one.

I was quite impressed with the affordability and performance of my previous phone, which made me curious about what Infinix would come up with next. However, it’s rare for a budget device to surprise you twice in the same way. A significant improvement would be needed to truly astound me again, as I’ve already been amazed by its capabilities once before. And based on my experience, that level of astonishment is hard to replicate.

Absolutely, just because the Infinix GT 30 Pro isn’t subpar doesn’t mean that’s the case. Quite the opposite, for its price and gaming capabilities, it’s an outstanding phone. I spent several hours playing Squad Busters, Dredge, Mobile Legends Bang Bang, Genshin Impact, and Sky: Children of the Light, all of which ran smoothly without a hitch.

Speaking as a dedicated user myself, I must say that the battery performance is truly impressive. It manages to maintain its charge remarkably well, dipping roughly 10% for each hour spent on particularly demanding activities. However, when switched to less strenuous tasks, it holds up even more admirably. If you’re like me, using it mainly for gaming during your commute or in brief spurts throughout the day, you can rest assured that it will last an entire day without any concerns about running out of power.

A cool(ish) customer

Likewise, I never feared for the internals, which was my main gripe with the
Honor 400 Pro
(which I otherwise loved) that I reviewed a while ago. While a phone warming up is expected when playing anything resource-intensive, it’s never particularly noticeable with the GT 30 Pro. And if it does concern you, the cooling fan provided does an excellent job of eliminating any heat. Still, those things are all true with its predecessor.

From my gaming perspective, I wouldn’t say it’s worth the upgrade from the GT 20 to the GT 30 Pro if you already own the latter. However, if you’re in search of a new gaming phone and budget is a concern, then the GT 30 Pro could be your best bet. Although the performance enhancement might not be significant, remember that it’s not just about the software. The GT 30 Pro has some other aspects that are truly impressive, even if they don’t sound as exciting. I’m talking about its ergonomics, which make a huge difference in gameplay comfort and handling.

Compared to the Honor 400 Pro, the GT 30 Pro is slightly wider but significantly slimmer, weighing around 188-189 grams depending on the color choice. Although six or seven grams might seem insignificant, holding it reveals a noticeable difference in weight and feel. The GT 30 Pro feels less bulky, and its design is less harsh to the touch. However, it doesn’t quite match the pleasant hand feel of the Honor 400 Pro, although it comes close.

As a gamer, I find that the GT 20 Pro sports a somewhat mature aesthetic, which deviates slightly from my preferred understated style in gaming gear. The cyber mecha design is cool, but it leans towards being too flashy for my taste.

The Dark Flare version of my review device exudes a subdued, moody ambiance. The camera is kept minimal, nestled discreetly in the top left corner without drawing attention or boasting about its existence. It’s undeniably a gaming phone, yet it carries this laid-back demeanor about it. There’s an air of maturity and self-confidence in its geeky charm. Unfortunately, I find myself constantly struggling to remove the case from it.

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2025-06-30 14:48