Phone vendors have diligently crafted fashionable and durable models specifically tailored to the preferences of young users who seek to stand out from the crowd. Key attributes of these gadgets include a striking design, high gaming performance, and attractive price points.
One particular model that has been generating buzz is the GT10 Pro from Infinix. Boasting a chic design, entry-level specs, and a budget-friendly price, it effortlessly distinguishes itself from the competition.
Recently, we had the opportunity to experience the Cyber Black model of the GT10 Pro firsthand, using it as our primary phone for an entire week. The device’s intricately detailed design, coupled with its capable specifications, delivered an enjoyable user experience. Its core specs handled routine tasks and less demanding game titles with ease.
Despite a few minor drawbacks, the device’s affordability makes it difficult to complain. Without further ado, here’s our full review of the GT10 Pro:
TL; DR
Fors
Stylish design
Impressive display
Cool UI with redesigned themes
Effective heating control
Competitive pricing
Againsts
Occasional system lags
Slower camera performance
Compromises in the build quality of the frame and buttons
Cyberpunk aesthetics
The phone immediately impressed me at first sight with its unique design. It has a square-edged frame design with a flat display. The version I tested has dark gray-blue frames.
The standout feature of the phone is undeniably its back case. The transparent outer surface gives the impression of glass, creating a window into a multifaceted, cyberpunk-inspired design. Multiple layers and intricate patterns seamlessly intertwine, resulting in an array of textures that beautifully reflect various color schemes.
The dominant black and orange tones evoke the stylings of Realme and Nothing, but they provide a unique twist through their intricate ornamentation. The overall scheme exudes a tech-nerd vibe, tinged with an unmistakably futuristic flourish. Even after a week of usage, this phone continued to impress me with its subtle, distinctive details.
The large, sleek camera module sits on the back case, accentuating the three rear cameras with a black ring that mimics mechanical gear textures.
Adjacent to it is a customizable LED indicator array, adaptable to different settings. In contrast to the detailing of the back case, the camera module is partially crafted with a glossy glass-like material, adding complexity to the overall design.
However, the plastic frame is a definite letdown, and the minuscule buttons for power and volume control situated along the frame detract from the user experience, feeling insubstantial.
The overall holding experience is neutral due to the phone’s boxy structure paired with a smooth frame and back case. However, the back case’s tendency to collect dust and fingerprints might be off-putting to some users.
The phone’s packaging also doubles up as a charging dock, showcasing an inventive approach to eco-friendly design. However, to ensure enhanced stability, users may need to add some weight to balance this setup.
Well-crafted system UI
Infinix’s reimagined system UI dovetails seamlessly with its stylish body design, drawing its aesthetic inspiration from the cyberpunk genre.
All icons are redesigned, featuring an additional metal material design frame that adds a cool touch. Unlike some rivals, who might miss some apps in their customized icon library, Infinix does not disappoint in this regard.
Furthermore, the phone comes with pre-installed themes in the same stylish cyberpunk-inspired design. These themes include live wallpapers and always-on-display (AOD) effects. The transition animations when locking and unlocking the screen are smooth and pleasing to the eye. The AOD effect, resembling a light indicator reminiscent of a Titan, provides a mesmerizing comic-like display against the black screen background.
Reflective of the strong interface, the system exhibits high readability, providing a stark contrast for clear text and labels. The aforementioned icon design incorporates both highlights and shadows, creating a pleasant deviation from the wallpaper backdrop.
As a part of the system, the customization of LED indicators built on the back case is a major highlight. Six diverse scenes, including notifications, charging, gaming, and music playback, are compatible with the LED indicators. What’s impressive is that most of these scenes can be adapted with various effects such as flowing light, breathing, and flashing. I was profoundly surprised by the capabilities of such a seemingly simple array of lights, particularly when compared to competitors like Nothing Phones.
Plain specs exceed expectations
The Infinix GT 10 Pro comes with 8 GB of memory and a Mediatek Dimensity 8050 processor. Given its $250 price tag, I didn’t anticipate much from this configuration, yet using it as my primary phone for a week unveiled some pleasant surprises.
The phone manages daily apps such as social media, video platforms, and productivity apps quite well. It effectively handles less resource-intensive apps in the background. However, due to limited physical memory, the system occasionally shuts down these apps. Consequently, I’ve started locking critical yet memory-heavy apps, like Maps and WeChat. If numerous tasks are in progress and most of them are locked, the system begins to lag, though it doesn’t progress into a freeze.
Foreground apps run smoothly most of the time, aided by the high refresh rate of the display. Scrolling through my feed and posts on social media apps and news platforms was a delight.
One notable aspect of the phone is its temperature control. There’s minimal heat with regular use, a feature not often found in modern smartphones. This suggests a power consumption barrier prioritizing a lower temperature.
And the setting is more obvious in game play. When playing the popular Honkai: Star Rail from HoYoverse at 60 FPS, the phone starts to get hot. After a half-hour of gameplay, temperatures can reach around 43 °C near the camera module, which is warm but tolerable compared with devices that reach 50 °C.
Frame drops occur sporadically when playing graphics-intensive games. Still, you can retain playability by further reducing the image settings. The system also has a built-in game mode to finetune the performance balance.
Casual games like Candy Crush, Hungry Shark, and Subway Surfers run smoothly with minimal strain on the system.
The phone’s sizable battery ensures it can easily last through a moderate day of usage. While the 45W fast charging might not stand out as particularly groundbreaking in the current market, it proves to be more than sufficient. Charging from 20% to 100% takes about an hour using the included charging brick.
Compromised camera performance
The camera performance of the Infinix GT 10 Pro didn’t generate high expectations, as it is an entry-level device. However, the vibrant, authentic color and the effective processing of HDR were significant additions to its camera features. I took it out for some “tourist sightseeing” shots. The majority of the snaps turn out to be quite good for Instagram posts.
The Infinix GT 10 Pro’s camera offers a natural color tone without over-processing photos for enhanced clarity or saturation. It accurately captures the original color of the subjects.
In general, the tone of the images is well-balanced in terms of highlights and shadows, although they sometimes lack sufficient detail when cropped.
Regrettably, there are several drawbacks to its camera system. Notably, the shutter speed proves to be slow, even in well-lit conditions, leading to blurred images and extended processing times. This limitation becomes even more pronounced in low-light environments.
Furthermore, the color tuning is inconsistent, leading to potential variations in colors between shots taken from the same perspective. While this may not be a significant concern for everyday use or casual photography, it can be noticeable when striving for professional, high-quality work and necessitates selecting the best from multiple options.
The autofocus functionality occasionally falls short of ideal, particularly when shooting videos.
The device provides a mode to capture images in full 108 MP resolution, but this comes at a cost of longer processing times. The difference in image quality doesn’t seem worth the wait, making this particular mode less recommended for practical use.
The Infinix GT 10 Pro comes equipped with flashlights for both its front and back cameras, providing valuable tools for enhancing portrait photography. Notably, the back flashlight adopts a ring-shaped design, which contributes to a slightly improved lighting effect compared to conventional flashlights. Its portrait mode enables the user to easily capture high-quality selfies with an appropriate background blur.
Wrapping up
The Infinix GT10 Pro stands out as a commendable option for budget-conscious individuals in search of a distinctive smartphone. Its noteworthy specs aptly match its price range. It also serves as a reminder that cool and innovative technology doesn’t always have to come with a hefty price tag.
The encompassing design, inclusive of the casing and system interface, is thoughtfully devised and displays a futuristic aesthetic.
Noteworthy features include long battery life, efficient temperature control, and a high-refresh-rate display. These elements add to the device’s appeal and are important factors when considering a purchase.
However, the device does come with its share of cons, including a smaller memory capacity and slower camera response. It also falls short with its grip due to a plastic frame and diminutive physical buttons.
For users who prioritize superior camera and core performance, it may be worth considering elevating the budget to accommodate a mid-range model. However, for a price point between $240 and $250, the Infinix GT10 Pro is highly recommended as an entry-level choice. It exudes a style that sets it apart from its competitors and offers reliable performance for regular, day-to-day use.