Infinix Zero 40 5G Review: Zero or Hero?

Infinix sent us their Infinix Zero 40 5G mobile phone and it really piqued my curiosity. I mean, who actually calls their product Zero. So we had to dive deep into this mobile phone and actually see for ourselves if this is a zero or a hero. In this review, we will be looking at how the mobile device performs as a daily runner more than a gaming device. If Candy Crush is deemed a high demanding game, then we would also be called mobile gamers but the truth of the matter is, it is not. So we’d rather not divulge much of the spotlight reserved for this mobile review on that particular segment of gaming.  

However, we will be paying extreme attention to detail as to how its cameras perform, so read on more about it below. 

Specifications 

What's In The Box? 

The Infinix Zero 40 5G comes with a very generous package. The box contains the device, a Sim ejector tool, a USB-A to USB-C cable, a 45W power brick and a tempered glass protector. You will need to install the glass on your own, and we certainly appreciate the fact that it covers the entire front display. Credit is due to Infinix as most of the time only a screen protector is pre applied rather than a tempered glass protector, which is much appreciated.  

Design & Build

The device is a slab of brick indefinitely. It has quite a narrow profile for today’s standards. With dimensions of 164.3mm in height, 74.5mm in width, and a slim 7.9mm thickness, it's height is comparable to the iPhone 16 Pro Max but is slightly narrower and significantly thinner. This in return ensures that the mobile phone actually rests comfortably in your hands and does not feel awkward or makes you feel like you’re holding a tablet. Weighing just 195g, it’s even lighter than the iPhone 16 Pro, which weighs 199g, making it easy to handle for extended periods.

Infinix deserves some credit when it comes to the design and structure of the phone. The phone features gentle flowing curves on the sides of the screen and the combination of the curved glass and back gives the phone a very slim side profile that feels great in your hands. There is virtually nothing going on the left side of the device as the power button and volume rocker are situated on the right side. 

At the bottom you will find a USB 2.0 Type C, a speaker, a microphone, and a SIM card tray. On the other hand, at the top you will find the IR blaster, another microphone, and a speaker grille. Moving to the back, the camera island takes up much real estate space. It is a circular design with fluted rims that eloquently exhibits a touch of elegance. The back also appears to be of the same color but because of texture differences it looks like it is two toned. Our unit is of the Rock Black variant and the device also comes in two more variants - Violet Garden, Moving Titanium.  

Display Excellence 

The 6.78" AMOLED display is of LTPS variety. Which means that it has a variable refresh rate of up to 144Hz. Everything feels crisp and sharp at 144Hz, however it has no option for refresh rates lower than 60Hz. The screen has a 93.4% screen to body ratio and also comes with TUV Rheinland certification for eye care protection. The display also has a maximum brightness of 1300 nits at its peak, providing sufficient brightness levels under sunlight usage.  

Additionally, at the lower part of the screen, Infinix has placed an under screen fingerprint sensor. However the device feels head heavy and unlocking from such a low point may just prove to be a tad bit difficult and cause inconvenience. 

User Experience 

For starters, I sincerely appreciate that there is not much bloatware installed unlike a few other brands. The UI is pretty straightforward as it runs Android 14 out of the box with the XOS 14.5 overlay. It’s not too distinct like how Nothing OS is, so it’s pretty easy and direct when navigating through the interface. 

Camera Performance

For photography, as a point and shoot camera, this device does the task reasonably well. I mean, for under RM2000 it does justify. In saying so, corners have been cut to ensure that the device fits under the sub RM2000 category. The cameras are no behemoths like the Sony Xperia 1 VI or Apple Iphone 16 Pro Max, so please make sure that you do not expect the device’s cameras to perform like them. 

There are color saturation inaccuracies over the 3 lenses, and the images are soft and bloomy. Although they share the same sensors as the Redmi Note 13, I find that the cameras do not perform nearly as well as the Redmi Note 13. This could be down to the software side of things and I certainly hope Infinix fixes this along the way. As for low light photography, the sensors tend to create a lot of noise and cause extreme blooming.  

Focusing on the greens, on the images above, each lens shows a different saturation of the colour. There is no consistency in image colour profile across the lenses.

One thing I did enjoy about the device, is the "Sky Shop" mode when taking pictures. The AI Processor enhances the saturation and colour profiles of the sky. It doesn't look too artificial or superimposed.

Each of this pictures above were taken using each lens and sensor available on the device. I can understand the compromise in image sharpness due to the pricing but what really bothers me the most is that the software controlling the camera mechanisms is unable to provide accurate measurements and statistics as in the focal length of the images. I really hope Infinix can look into this.

As for videography, the device is fully capable of shooting in 4K at 60FPS and 1080p with a maximum of 240FPS. The device also has EIS and OIS to aid in buttery smooth video captures. The cameras do record a good amount of details and depth but they are no means to replacing your mirrorless cameras. 

Conclusion 

The Infinix Zero 40 5G is a stylish and reliable phone that works great for everyday use. It has a bright and smooth screen, feels comfortable to hold, and handles daily tasks with ease. While the cameras take decent photos and videos, they can be a bit inconsistent, especially in low light. Priced at RM1,699, it’s a good choice for anyone looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with useful features and a sleek design.   

Final Score : 6.5/10