Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ Review: Not All Budget Phones Are Boring

Not too long ago, buying a budget phone meant accepting compromises that made you wince. Plastic builds that creaked, displays that looked like they were borrowed from a calculator, and performance that made opening apps feel like defragmenting a hard drive. Well, the Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ didn’t get that memo.

At just 5.95mm thick, which is thinner than most people’s wedding rings, this phone immediately challenges your assumptions about what “budget” means in 2025. But thickness is just the opening act in what turns out to be a surprisingly compelling performance.

Design and Display

When pulling the Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ from its box, you can already tell there’s a major difference from its predecessor. At 155 grams, it’s light enough that you might check the box twice to make sure you didn’t accidentally grab the display model.

Read: Infinix Hot 50 Pro+ Review: A Slim Fit

The curved AMOLED screen wraps subtly around the edges, creating that premium flagship feel that usually costs three times as much.

Build quality also immediately stands out. The aluminum frame feels solid, and the curved glass transitions smoothly into the back panel. Our review unit came in “Coral Tides,” a color name that sounds (and looks) like a phone meant to be used on the beachfront.

Display is where most affordable phones wave the white flag, but not the Hot 60 Pro+. The 6.78-inch curved AMOLED panel delivers a sharp 1224p resolution with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling feel premium.

Colors pop without looking oversaturated, and the brightness peaks at an impressive 4,500 nits, which makes it easily readable in direct sunlight.

The curvature is subtle enough to feel sophisticated without being gimmicky. You might occasionally trigger edge touches, but it’s far less problematic than the more aggressive curves we’ve noticed from other phone makers. The real benefit is how natural edge swipes feel, especially when navigating Android’s gesture controls.

Late-night doomscrollers will appreciate the DC dimming and multiple eye comfort modes. After several nights of questionable bedtime phone habits, I can confirm it’s easier on the eyes than most phones in this price range.

Processor and Performance

On paper, the MediaTek Helio G200 sounds like the kind of processor that would struggle with anything more demanding than switching between apps. In reality, paired with 8GB of RAM (expandable to 16GB through virtual memory), it handles daily tasks with surprising grace.

Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and even light photo editing doesn’t cause the phone to throw a fit. I spent a month using it as my primary device, bouncing between social media, productivity apps, and the occasional mobile game.

The experience felt consistently responsive. It’s not flagship-smooth, but it’s definitely better than other phones fighting in this price bracket.

On mobile gaming performance, the 11-layer cooling system (imagine that in a budget phone) keeps temperatures reasonable during extended COD Mobile sessions.

Medium graphics settings delivered stable frame rates, and the phone never got uncomfortably hot. There’s even a dedicated Game Mode that automatically optimizes performance and blocks distracting notifications.

Camera Capabilities 

The camera system won’t make Instagram photographers abandon their iPhones, but it’s pretty competent for the price. The 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor (which is borrowed from phones costing way more) delivers decent shots in good lighting with natural colors and respectable detail.

Low-light performance is where you’ll see the budget constraints. Photos become noticeably softer, and the AI processing sometimes creates that overly-sharpened look that gives off budget phone vibes. Portrait mode works, but the edge detection can be hit-or-miss.

The 13MP front camera will handle video calls and selfies, though don’t expect miracles in dim lighting. It’s perfectly serviceable for social media but won’t replace a proper camera for serious photography.

Battery and Charging

Despite the slim profile, Infinix managed to cram a 5,160mAh battery inside. Real-world usage easily delivered a full day with moderate to heavy use, and lighter users could stretch it to a day and a half. Standby time is very impressive, as the phone can sit unused for days without significant battery drain.

The included 45W charger brings the phone from zero to 50% in about 25 minutes. Full charges take just under an hour, which is competitive with much more expensive phones. There’s even reverse charging for topping up wireless earbuds or smartwatches.

Software: Android 15

XOS 15.1 running on top of Android 15 feels more polished than expected. The interface is clean, animations are smooth, and there are useful features sprinkled throughout.

The AI integration feels thoughtful; Circle to Search actually works well for quick lookups, and the various AI assistants handle voice commands reliably.

Bloatware does exist, but it is not overwhelming, and most unwanted apps can be disabled or uninstalled. More importantly, Infinix promises three years of Android updates and five years of security patches.

Verdict: Budget Excellence

The Infinix Hot 60 Pro+ has focused on executing the fundamentals exceptionally well while adding just enough premium touches to feel special. In this regard, very few smartphones come close to it.

At around KES 22,000, it offers flagship-level design, a genuinely good display, respectable performance, and decent cameras. The omissions, such as no 5G, a basic camera system, and an IP65 instead of an IP68 rating, feel reasonable rather than disappointing.

For students and professionals who don’t want to overspend, or anyone who values thoughtful design and reliable performance, the Hot 60 Pro+ is without a doubt great value for money.

It’s not perfect, but it’s something potentially better: genuinely satisfying to use. And in the budget phone category, that’s rarer than you might think.