The smartphone market in Bangladesh has once again witnessed an uninspired release with the quiet launch of the Infinix Hot 60i. Positioned as a follow-up in the Hot 60 lineup, the device seems less like a genuine leap forward and more like a tweaked version of its predecessor, the Infinix Hot 50i. Despite the company’s attempts to maintain relevance with incremental improvements, the Hot 60i fails to deliver any meaningful advancements or innovations that consumers crave in a fiercely competitive market.
Spec Sheet Doesn’t Translate to User Satisfaction
On paper, the Infinix Hot 60i boasts some respectable features such as a 6.78-inch Full-HD+ 120Hz LCD screen and a robust 5,160mAh battery with 45W charging. Yet, the choice of a MediaTek Helio G81 Ultimate processor—a chipset already showing its age—raises questions about the phone’s actual performance and longevity. In an era where entry-level devices are expected to balance power with efficiency, relying on outdated silicon is a glaring oversight. The storage options, extending up to 256GB, are generous but somewhat overshadowed by the lukewarm internals.
Moreover, the camera setup hardly inspires confidence, with a 50MP primary sensor paired with an underwhelming 2MP secondary shooter that feels like window dressing rather than an enhancement. The 8MP front camera will suffice for occasional selfies, but it doesn’t push any creative boundaries. Collectively, these specifications seem more like checkbox features rather than carefully integrated upgrades that improve real-world experience.
Software and Connectivity—A Familiar yet Lackluster Affair
Running XOS 15.1, based on Android 15, the Hot 60i offers the latest Android iteration, which is commendable. However, Infinix’s custom skin is notorious for bloatware and sluggish updates, dampening any joy derived from having the newest Android build. The inclusion of dual SIM slots, 4G LTE support, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5, and NFC connectivity meets today’s baseline expectations but offers nothing surprising or remarkable.
The phone’s design is equally uninspired—thin and light but bordering on generic, available only in “Sleek Black” and “Titanium Grey,” colors that do little to spark excitement or individuality. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is practical, but in a market flooded with in-display sensors and facial recognition options, it reflects a device stuck in the past rather than embracing emerging trends.
Pricing That Reflects Compromise Over Value
At roughly Rs. 9,800 for the base model and Rs. 11,500 for the higher RAM and storage configuration, the Infinix Hot 60i is targeting budget-conscious consumers. Yet, with competitors aggressively offering similar or better specs, including more modern processors and improved camera capabilities, these prices do not justify settling for outdated hardware masked as “new.”
The phone’s limited availability in Bangladesh, with no current plans for expansion into the Indian market or beyond, further narrows its appeal. For potential buyers, the Hot 60i resembles a missed opportunity to present an affordable, versatile smartphone that embraces progress rather than clinging to modest iterations.
The Verdict: Safe, But Too Safe
Ultimately, the Infinix Hot 60i exemplifies the problem with incremental smartphone releases that prioritize modest tweaks over ambitious innovation. Infinix’s strategic choice to stick closely to the Hot 50i blueprint has resulted in a handset that feels safe but uninspiring, lacking the spark needed to captivate a savvy, value-driven audience. Innovation requires risk; this device opts to play it safe and, as a result, feels less like a must-have and more like a footprint in a market demanding bolder moves.