The Zero 40 5G is the latest flagship model in the Infinix smartphone lineup. The Zero 40 retains many of the features of its predecessor (Zero 30), while adding some interesting upgrades.
The QUK team has prepared a review of the Infinix Zero 40 5G.
The display is largely the same, it is still the same 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a refresh rate of 144Hz, but the new model now has a few extra pixels horizontally. The camera system is also largely identical, with a 108-megapixel main camera with a 2-megapixel depth sensor and a 50-megapixel front camera. However, the 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens has been replaced by a new 50-megapixel autofocus lens, which can also be used for macro photography.
The most significant upgrade is the new chipset. The Zero 40 5G uses a more powerful Dimensity 8200 Ultimate, which replaces the Mediatek Dimensity 8020 in the Zero 30. In addition, the device now has IP54 protection, JBL-tuned speakers, and an updated design.
We were pleased with last year’s Zero 30, so let’s see how the Zero 40 5G performs.
Let’s take a closer look at the device.
Delivery set
The Zero 40 5G comes in a standard package that includes the smartphone itself, a 45W fast charger, a cable, a protective glass, and a case. Unlike some other models, the Zero 40 5G does not come with a pre-applied screen protector – Infinix puts it in the box for self-installation.
The included case is quite unusual. On the one hand, its design includes a magnetic mount that is compatible with Infinix wireless chargers. However, the case is very thin and only covers the back panel, top, and bottom of the device, leaving the sides unprotected. This accessory is suitable if you plan to use wireless chargers, but for full protection, it is better to buy a more reliable case.
Design
The Zero 40 5G has an elegant and stylish design. The back panel is made in an interesting two-texture finish of one color, which, due to the textured areas, refracts light at different angles, creating an effective visual separation.
At the top is a large block of cameras, designed in a round module in the center. The camera island has a ribbed frame, reminiscent of the design of a mechanical watch – it looks very aesthetically pleasing. You may have noticed that there are two flashes here, one inside the camera module and one outside. Each of them has its own purpose, but more on that later.
The front of the device has a curved display that flows smoothly along the edges into the side edges. The buttons are conveniently located and provide good tactile response.
The Zero 40 looks very premium. The side frame is made of plastic, but you don’t notice it because the smartphone is very thin. The device also received protection according to the IP54 standard.
Display
The Zero 40 5G features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution and a maximum refresh rate of 144Hz. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.
The display’s image quality is impressive: the colors are slightly oversaturated compared to the reference, but still look attractive. The white balance is slightly shifted towards cool tones, but this can be adjusted in the display settings to bring it closer to the D65 standard.
The 144Hz refresh rate is a nice addition compared to the base 120Hz. Although not everyone will notice the difference, the smartphone runs smoother and sharper.
Battery
The smartphone has a 5000 mAh battery with support for 45 W fast charging. A compatible charger is already included in the package.
In charging tests, the device showed good results – a full charge took just under 50 minutes, which is an excellent result.
The peculiarity of fast charging on the Zero 40 5G is that it is not activated at maximum speed by default. When you connect the charger, an option appears on the lock screen to switch to fast charging mode or select a slower mode. This setting must be selected every time you connect, since there is no permanent option for maximum charging speed.
Zero 40 5G also supports wireless and reverse wireless charging, compatible with Infinix MagSafe accessories. Additionally, the device is equipped with a bypass charging function that can be activated during games: it allows you to direct energy directly to the smartphone, bypassing the battery to reduce heating.
Performance and Software
The Zero 40 5G runs on XOS 14.5.0 on top of Android 14. Infinix promises two major Android updates and three years of security updates for the smartphone.
XOS 14.5 is a typical modern shell for Android, typical for Chinese manufacturers. The interface is largely familiar, with design elements reminiscent of other popular shells. The launcher, icons, notification system and quick settings, as well as elements around the front camera – we have all seen it before. XOS does not bring radical innovations, but the interface is intuitive and easy to use.
One of the main advantages of XOS on Infinix smartphones is the lack of annoying advertising notifications and interfaces overloaded with applications. This approach could serve as an example for other brands, such as Xiaomi.
The Zero 40 5G is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset. The following memory options are available: 256 GB 12 GB RAM, 512 GB 12 GB RAM. The performance of the Zero 40 5G is impressive – the smartphone really works fast and smoothly.
The Zero 40 5G also demonstrates excellent results in games. For example, although Genshin Impact is not new, it is still a demanding game at high settings. The Zero 40 5G copes with it confidently. For those who prefer lighter competitive games, the device will provide an even better gaming experience.
Camera
The Zero 40 5G has a triple camera setup, which includes a 108-megapixel main sensor and a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens. The third sensor is a 2-megapixel depth sensor. The smartphone is interesting for its dual flash: the standard flash works as usual, while the telephoto flash has a narrower but longer light focus, which is especially useful when shooting with zoom.
The camera interface is simple and intuitive – it offers standard functions. There is also a link to the GoPro app for remote control of GoPro cameras, but it works like a regular third-party app and is available on other devices.
The main camera of the Zero 40 5G shows good results. Photos are distinguished by good detail, good dynamic range and low noise. However, the colors sometimes look oversaturated, which makes some photos look too bright. This effect does not always occur, but it would be useful for users to have an option to turn it off.
A notable feature of the camera is its 3x lossless digital zoom, which produces excellent results that are almost indistinguishable from shots taken with a dedicated telephoto lens. These photos also tend to be less saturated than standard wide-angle shots.
The phone also has a 108MP mode, although it is inconsistent: sometimes photos are actually saved at 108MP, but at other times they are scaled down to 12MP. The reason for this behavior is unclear and has been observed with similar sensors on other devices.
The 50MP ultra-wide-angle camera offers similar processing to the main camera, which results in oversaturated colors, but to a lesser extent. Dynamic range is worse here, but image quality is still quite decent. Since the Zero 40 5G’s ultra-wide-angle camera has autofocus, it also functions as a macro camera, producing decent results in this mode. Although the colors in macro shots are not always accurate, detail is still at a decent level.
Infinix is ​​pushing the Zero 40 5G’s video capabilities hard, claiming that it’s the first camera in the segment to support 4K at 60 fps. However, the OnePlus Nord 4 also offers this capability in a similar price range. The difference is that the Zero 40 5G can shoot 4K 60 fps video not only on the main camera, but also on the ultra-wide and front cameras.
In 4K at 30 fps recording mode, the video quality is good, with an acceptable level of detail, but there are some issues: limited dynamic range and noticeable purple fringing around the edges. The most significant drawback is the constant jerkiness of the autofocus. When recording in 4K at 60 fps, the lack of electronic image stabilization (EIS) becomes noticeable, and the camera relies only on optical stabilization (OIS). This results in shaky images, as OIS is not enough to fully stabilize them. But since there’s no EIS, there’s no crop effect, and you get a wider field of view on the main camera. Shooting at 4K 60fps on the ultra-wide camera suffers from similar issues. The high-resolution support on the ultra-wide is really impressive, but the lack of stabilization makes the footage less than usable.
Conclusion
The Infinix Zero 40 5G is a well-thought-out, quality device in its price segment. The smartphone offers an attractive design and good build quality, a great display, decent performance, fast charging, and user-friendly software. The camera, battery life, and speakers are also up to par, although they are not impressive. Video recording is a bit disappointing despite the focus on this feature, and the interface lacks originality, but overall the device leaves a positive impression.
