Infinix HOT 70 Review - Is it HOT or NOT?

We take a deeper look at the new Infinix HOT 70 and its performance over three days of actual use.

Infinix HOT 70 in Green

For years, smartphone manufacturers have been repackaging slightly upgraded parts in a slightly different packaging.

Because of the recent AI-caused memory crunch, brands have become even more creative in repackaging previous-generation parts in a slightly newer packaging.

Infinix, however, has decided to add more value to its new HOT series by focusing on improving its design, durability, and battery life.

It features a 120Hz HD+ LCD, MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate, Mali-G57 GPU, 4GB/6GB/8GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage, and a 6,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging.

Although our unit has 4GB of RAM, it can utilize the internal storage to add 2 to 8GB of virtual RAM.

Infinix did not mention any form of specialized cooling.

It has a 50MP main rear camera and an 8MP selfie camera.

In the Philippines, the Infinix HOT 70 starts at PHP 7,999 for the 8GB(4+4GB)/128GB model via TikTok Shop. Each purchase of the device gives users access to Google AI Plus with 2TB of storage for 3 months at no additional cost.

Our review unit is the 8GB(4+4GB)/128GB variant.

Unboxing/Accessories

Infinix HOT 70's packaging

The Infinix HOT 70 arrived in a white box with the Infinix branding, regulatory information, and key specs and features printed around the box.

Infinix HOT 70's box inclusions

Inside the box is the HOT 70, the documentation, the USB-C cable, the SIM ejector tool, and the 45W fast charging wall adapter. It also has a pre-installed screen protector.

It doesn’t include wired earphones.

Build Quality/Design

Infinix HOT 70's Dynamic Shine Design with Pearl smooth finish

Infinix proudly advertises that the HOT 70 comes with a Dynamic Shine Design, a Pearl-Smooth Finish that they claim is perfect as a fashion accessory that should elevate the user’s style.

Dynamic Shine Design with Pearl smooth finish

We don't know too much about a person’s fashion, but the HOT 70 is eye-catching in person. Especially in our Green Texture colorway. The phone is also available in either Thermo Orange, Quiet Violet, Silver Dancer, Dive Blue, or Night Pulse. The Thermo Orange colorway features a color-shifting design.

Infinix HOT 70's front panel

The front is made of glass, while the frame and rear panel are made from premium polycarbonate. It measures 167.92 x 79.12 x 7.49mm and weighs 195 grams. It is IP65 dust and water-resistant and is SGS certified. An SGS certification means that the device has passed international standards for safety, quality, performance, environmental impact, and regulatory compliance.

Infinix HOT 70's top and bottom

On top of the phone is the first of the speakers, while at the bottom are the USB-C port, second speaker, and microphone.

Infinix HOT 70's left and right sides

On the left is a smooth surface, and on the right are the volume rocker and the power button that doubles as the fingerprint scanner.

Rear Cameras

Infinix HOT 70 in Green Texture

The Infinix HOT 70 features a 50MP f/1.85 main camera, and in front is the 8MP f/2.0 selfie camera.

The stock camera app features the following modes: AI Cam, Video, Portrait, Super Night, Slow Motion, Time-lapse, Dual-Video, Vlog, Sky Shop, Pro, Panorama, Documents, and Ultra-HD. 

It can record up to 2k at 30fps on both the front and rear-facing cameras.

Infinix HOT 70 rear camera close-up 1x

Infinix HOT 70 rear camera close-up 2x

The Infinix HOT 70 Pro’s cameras are fine to use outdoors, where you’ll get the best results.

They deliver fair enough details and acceptable colors.

Indoor shots are soft. Noise reduction has softened the image, affecting detail and sharpness. There is an acceptable amount of detail, but again it is easily softened by noise reduction.

It is not advisable to use them in low light.

We will update this post after taking more photos in the next few days.

Performance

Infinix HOT 70's GeekBench and GeekBench AI results

To recap, inside is the 6nm MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate octa-core processor, Mali-G57 GPU, 4GB/6GB/8GB LPDDR4X RAM, and 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 storage.

Infinix HOT 70's 3DMark and CPDT Results

The unit we tested is the 4GB/128GB edition. For better performance, opt for the 6GB/256GB variant.

Benchmark scores

• Geekbench - 718 Single-Core score, 1,784 Multi-core score
• 3DMark Wild Life - 1,427 overall score and 8.55 average frame rate
• Geekbench AI - 465 single precision, 802 half-precision, 889 quantized score
• CPDT - 680.93 MB/s sequential read speeds, 312.23 sequential write speeds

All scores are within the range of what we expect from the MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate paired with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM. There are better-performing smartphones, but you will have to pay more.

CapCut Pro video editing and Snapseed photo editing are possible on the device, but it wouldn't be our first choice.

The handset is fast enough for casual users who don't play many games...

Generally, the handset is fast enough for casual users who don't play many games. It is great for social media, using AI and the browser for research, decent for multitasking, and good for streaming apps.

Infinix HOT 70's Mobile Legends Bang Bang graphics settings

Running Mobile Legends: Bang Bang with HD and high consumption is playable. Not the fastest, but the frame rates are consistent. The phone warms up after playing for an extended period of time.

The phone can be used for light gaming and not much else. It is not a gaming phone.

The battery

Infinix HOT 70's battery usage from the YouTube loop test

Inside the Infinix HOT 70 is a larger-than-average 6,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging via USB-C. It also supports reverse wired charging.

In our usual YouTube video loop at 60 percent screen brightness and 60 percent volume, the phone lasted for 12 hours and 41 minutes. In our daily usage, we got 6 hours of on-screen time, and we were constantly connected to 4G or WiFi, and were constantly on social media, web surfing, taking photos, and using the phone for Grab transport and deliveries.

For gaming, a 10-minute MLBB match, the phone only lost 1 percent of its battery.

When we ran all the benchmarks on the phone for 5 hours of on-screen time, I still had 50 percent battery capacity.

It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to fully charge the 6,000mAh battery with the included 45W charger.

Overall, the Infinix HOT 70 offers 1 and a half day battery.

Fast HD+ Screen

Infinix HOT 70's front screen

In front is the 6.78-inch IPS LCD screen with a 1576 x 720 resolution, a 700 nits HBM peak brightness, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. IT supports Always-On display.

The panel is decently bright, which makes it somewhat legible in direct sunlight. It produces images with vibrant colors and decent contrast. The details and text are sharp enough, but could be crisper with a higher 1080 resolution.

It supports 10-point multi-touch and features asymmetrical bezels, where the chin bezel is noticeably thicker than the rest.

Overall, we are okay with this panel and would enjoy playing mobile games or streaming HD Netflix on it.

It also features stereo speakers with DTS support.

The sound produced has decent maximum volume and a decent level of clarity and power. The sound stage could be bigger, too. It has some distortion at volumes of 81 percent and above.

The rest of the features

Alongside are WiFi, Bluetooth 5.4, 4G LTE, GPS, FM Radio, NFC, and an IR blaster, and GPS.

The Infinix HOT 70 is running on Android 16-based XOS 16. This brings a new Glow Space design language with light, depth, and transparency. And glass effects. The Notification and Quick Settings panel has been revamped with rounder toggles, pill-shaped buttons, and improved blur and transparency.

XOS 16 is based on Android 16

Infinix is committing three major OS updates for the HOT 70. As previously mentioned, each purchase of the HOT 70 gives users access to Google AI Plus for 3 months and gets a FREE 12-month Viu Premium subscription for a limited time, while supplies last.

New AI modes and features are now included, such as Snapmemo, AI Mind Hub, AI Theme Generator, AI in Gallery, AI in Note, AI recording summary, and the updated Folax Voice Assistant.

In general, the phone runs smoothly with basic tasks such as unlocking the phone, opening the app drawer, opening an app, switching between apps, and navigating through the UI. The basics are done well.

Pros - Eye-catching design, unique colorways, IP65, stereo speakers, bright and fast 120Hz IPS screen, long battery life, 3 months FREE Google AI Plus is good

Cons - 4GB RAM/128GB UFS 2.2 starting configuration, Helio G100 Ultimate is aging, 720p resolution only

Infinix HOT 70 Specs

Display: 6.78-inch LCD screen w/ 120Hz refresh rate, HD+ 1576 x 720 resolution at 256 ppi

CPU: 2.2GHz 6nm MediaTek Helio G100 Ultimate octa-core processor

GPU: Mali-G57 MC2

RAM: 4GB/6GB/8GB

ROM: 128GB/256GB expandable via microSD card slot up to 1TB

Back Camera: 50MP f/1.9 + auxiliary sensor + LED flash

Selfie Camera: 8MP f/2.0

Battery: 6,000mAh w/ USB-C 45W fast charging, 10W reverse charging

OS: Android 16 w/ XOS 16

Connectivity: WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.4, GPS, dual SIM

Others: Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, AI button, stereo speakers, Colors: Night Pulse, Dive Blue, Silver Dancer, Green Texture, Thermo Orange

Price: PHP 7,999 (4GB/128GB), PHP 8,999 (6GB/128GB), PHP 9,999 (8GB/128GB), PHP 10,499 (6GB/256GB)

Verdict

The AI crunch has driven the majority of companies to be creative in adding value to smartphones to make up for the increased prices and lackluster memory configurations

And Infinix has done the best it can by offering a stunningly eye-catching smartphone with a tough IP65 and SGS certified body, a massive 6,000mAh battery, and the promise to offer 3 major OS upgrades in the future.

The Helio G100 Ultimate with the 4GB/6GB/8GB LPDDR4X RAM, 128GB/256GB UFS 2.2 offers acceptable performance at this price point, but has begun showing its age.

Even though it is using an aging chip, the new XOS 16 design is running somewhat smoothly. The optimizations are showing.

Its screen is fast and good, but it would be even better with a 1080p resolution.

Online, users may grab the Infinix HOT 70  on TikTok Shop, Lazada, and Shopee. Users also have the option to purchase via Home Credit.

Build/Design - 4

Multimedia Experience - 3.75

Cameras - 3.75

Performance - 4

Average - 3.875/5