Smartphone collaborations are nothing new, but most partnerships rarely go beyond special colorways, cosmetic tweaks, or co-branded logos. For the Infinix NOTE 60 Series, however, Infinix and Italian design house Pininfarina aimed for something deeper.
With the launch of the NOTE 60 Ultra, Infinix is positioning itself further into premium territory while also marking the first time in Pininfarina’s 95-year history that the iconic automotive design firm has worked on a smartphone exterior.
Rather than simply creating another flagship device focused on aggressive specs and oversized camera modules, both companies wanted to rethink what an “Ultra” smartphone should look and feel like for a younger generation of users.
A different approach to flagship design
According to Infinix, the collaboration centered on balancing performance with elegance, a philosophy deeply rooted in Pininfarina’s automotive heritage.
Known for designing vehicles for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, Pininfarina applied its integrated design language to the NOTE 60 Ultra through what Infinix calls the Uni‑Chassis Camera Module. Instead of separating cameras and sensors into protruding islands, the camera area is integrated beneath a single piece of high‑strength glass that extends across the upper portion of the phone.
The result is a cleaner and more seamless rear design that minimizes visual clutter while still accommodating the phone’s imaging hardware and lighting systems.
Inspired by automotive engineering
The NOTE 60 Ultra also incorporates several automotive-inspired design cues. The lower portion of the rear panel adopts a tripartite segmentation pattern resembling a car’s rear wing, while precision-polished edges help create a continuous curved profile around the device.
Matteo Fioravanti, SVP Design at Pininfarina Shanghai, said the goal was to create a device that felt cohesive rather than mechanical.
“We do not want the NOTE 60 Ultra to look like a box crammed with components; it should be like a continuous living entity,” Fioravanti said.
Lighting systems designed for interaction
Beyond the physical structure, the NOTE 60 Ultra also introduces interactive lighting elements inspired by automotive lighting signatures.
The rear Floating Taillight activates during startup and notifications, mimicking the visual drama of a supercar ignition sequence. Infinix also added the Active Matrix system, which can display customizable graphics, animations, and Pixel Pet interactions.
According to the company, the system was designed to give younger users additional ways to personalize and interact with the device beyond traditional smartphone notifications.
Hiding complexity beneath a minimalist exterior
While the design appears minimalistic, Infinix says the NOTE 60 Ultra integrates multiple components beneath its unified rear panel, including a 200MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens, sensors, lighting systems, and the Active Matrix interface.
To maintain the seamless appearance, Infinix and Pininfarina developed coating and color-matching techniques designed to keep the matrix lighting invisible when not in use.
“An essential design does not equate to a simple one. It means that after countless reiterations we arrived at the perfect shape, a balance between aesthetics and functions,” Fioravanti added.
Industry recognition and availability
The NOTE 60 Ultra has already received industry recognition, including the 2026 iF Design Award.
Several international publications also highlighted the collaboration. Android Police described the device as “more than just a name inscribed on the side,” while Fast Company noted that Pininfarina’s contribution “goes well beyond previous automotive promotions we’ve seen in the industry.”
The Infinix NOTE 60 Ultra is now available in the Philippines through Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. The Infinix NOTE 60 Pro Pininfarina Edition is also available through the same platforms.