Phone Review: Infinix Hot S3X

I got my hands on the Infinix Hot S3X a few weeks ago and have been using it to get a feel of what the user experience is like. I had unboxed the phone already and you can read about my first impression here. The S3X has attracted some interest from its controversial name which I find a non-issue and quite fun actually but it’s definitely a plus for Infinix as it markets the phone. The Infinix Hot S3X is the successor of the Infinix Hot S3 that I also reviewed a few months ago and you can read that here. Here are my thoughts on the S3X.

Operating Sysytem, Memory and Processor

The S3X runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and Snapdragon processor instead of the less powerful MediaTek processors that have been the norm just like the S3. 3GB RAM, 32GB of memory and a 1.4GHz octa-core processor means the device runs smoothly and multitasking is not an issue. If you’re like me and you need more space, the memory is expandable up to 128GB via microSD.

Build and Design

This is where the difference really shows. The S3X is the first Infinix phone to have a notch. In case you are unfamiliar with what a notch is, it’s that indention at the top of a phone’s screen that was popularized by iPhones. The notch is aesthetically cool I suppose, though it doesn’t make much of a difference to me. What really makes a difference is the screen size – at 6.1” with a 720 x 1500 pixels touchscreen.

The screen size and resolution are good and ideal for reading and gaming and to be honest, it’s a little difficult to tell that it’s not 1080p. The colour saturation is excellent and the XOS user interface is seamless, making for a beautiful media viewing experience. For such a large phone, the S3X is quite light which is a plus because I am not a fan of bulky phones. The phone also features face ID and fingerprint scanner for additional security like the S3 and is available in grey, black and blue.

Camera

The phone has a dual-camera shooter at 13MP and 2MP and a 16MP front camera both with a f/2.0 aperture and dual LED flash for low light photography. The idea is that the phone is a selfie camera, so the more powerful camera is at the front, which is a highlight of the phone and I have been able to take some good selfies. The pictures are good for the price point and the camera boasts features like autofocus, geo-tagging, face detection, HDR, phase detection and panorama.

Battery

The phone comes with a 4000mAh Li-Po non-removable battery. The battery life on this phone is amazing. The battery can go a whole day with heavy use without needing to be charged, which is one of the things that Infinix phones excel at.

Price and Availability

The phone is available at Ksh. 17,500 on X-mall as well as Infinix outlets countrywide.

Warranty and Support

The phone comes with 1 year warranty. Support and service is available via Carlcare service centres.

Verdict

The phone like its predecessor the S3, is quite good and at an affordable price point. It delivers on its marketing as a selfie phone and is a great buy if you’re looking to enjoy a decent camera and functionality without having to splurge.