Hardwired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda explores everything related to hardware, encompassing phones, audio devices, storage servers, and networking equipment.
With the rise of mobile gaming, gaming phones are making a notable comeback, prompting brands to focus on mid-range and budget options—something that is indeed positive. Infinix, in particular, has experienced significant success with its GT series over the past two years; I found the GT 10 Pro quite enjoyable, and the GT 20 Pro built upon that success.
The newly announced GT 30 Pro is set to hit the Indian market soon. Before its global release, I engaged in an email discussion with Weiqi Nie, Infinix’s Product Director, to gain insight into how the brand is innovating this time and its strategy for the GT series.
Design has consistently been a major selling feature of previous GT models, and Infinix is reinforcing this with the GT 30 Pro. The phone showcases a “cyber-mecha” aesthetic that exudes coolness, distinguishing itself from the GT 10 Pro, which bore some resemblance to devices from Nothing.
Nie shared that Infinix drew inspiration from “futuristic machines and modular aesthetics” for the device design. “This concept has evolved over time to be more expressive, functional, and aligned with modern gamers’ needs. In the GT 30 Series, this vision is realized with the upgraded Mechanical Light Waves system. It features deep software and hardware integration, offering 14 lighting scenarios and over 20 customizable effects that respond dynamically to actions such as charging, gaming, and notifications.”
Infinix aimed to create a phone with a striking design, and with the unique pattern on the back and vibrant lighting, the GT 30 Pro stands out impressively. While aesthetics are essential, performance remains the top priority for gaming phones.
Opting for MediaTek over Qualcomm, Nie highlighted that the Dimensity 8350 provides the ideal balance of high frame rate gaming and thermal management. “MediaTek’s platform combines performance, efficiency, and scalability, which are essential for realizing the GT 30 Pro’s vision. The Dimensity 8350 Ultimate ensures smooth high-frame-rate gaming, effective thermal control, and optimized power consumption—key for maintaining performance during gaming and everyday use.”
“The Dimensity 8350 Ultra’s features provide the necessary performance headroom to incorporate elements like a 144Hz AMOLED display, advanced cooling solutions, and responsive gaming enhancements, all while keeping pricing accessible. This strategy allows the GT 30 Pro to offer a flagship-level experience tailored for a wider audience.”
Overheating remains a challenge for gaming phones, particularly with this year’s Qualcomm chipsets, which have a higher thermal threshold. Fortunately, MediaTek’s designs have avoided this issue, and Nie emphasized that sustained performance is a “core priority” for the GT 30 Pro, especially during extended gaming sessions. The GT 30 Pro utilizes Infinix’s 3D Vapor Cloud Chamber (3D VCC) liquid cooling technology, with Nie mentioning that the brand employs “intelligent software optimization to dynamically manage power and thermal behavior based on real-time usage.”
Additionally, there are two accessories available: the MagCase and MagCharge Cooler, the latter being an active cooling solution that directs cool air to the back of the device. “The GT 30 Pro adopts a comprehensive approach—integrating a high-performance chipset, efficient cooling, and smart charging solutions like Bypass Charging 2.0 and optimized wireless charging with active cooling. This ensures consistent high frame rates for extended periods without overheating or throttling—even while charging.”
I will be evaluating the GT 30 Pro’s performance regarding these attributes, and having used several MediaTek mid-range devices, I’m eager to see what this phone has to offer. The GT 30 Pro also retains ultrasonic triggers, enabling gamers to easily assign in-game actions—making a significant difference during gameplay.
The device features a 144Hz panel, and notably, it unlocks 120fps in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile. Similar to other brands targeting this market segment, the GT 30 Pro aims at a youthful audience, and its design and visual appeal reflect that focus.
Although Infinix is primarily focused on mobile devices, Nie mentioned that the brand is also working on building a “GT Verse” ecosystem for gaming devices. “GT Verse aims to offer a comprehensive experience centered around mobile gamers’ needs. Beyond the GT 30 Pro, we are expanding the lineup to include GT Buds 4 with 30dB ANC and low-latency Game Mode, the GT Power Bank with 55W multi-device fast charging, and a dedicated cooling accessory currently in development.”
“This ecosystem approach allows users to remain connected, charged, and immersed across devices—whether gaming at home or on the go. Future product developments will be influenced by community feedback and innovation readiness, but the GT Series will stay central to Infinix’s long-term goal of providing gamers with specialized tools across multiple categories.”
Pricing is a crucial factor in the success of budget gaming phones, and Infinix is aiming for a $300 price point with this device. Given the scarcity of gaming-oriented phones in this price range, the competitive pricing coupled with the device’s features should enable the GT 30 Pro to outperform its competitors. With its impending launch in India, we won’t have to wait long for more details about the GT 30 Pro, and I’ll be sharing more insights on the device in the coming days.