The iQOO Z9 5G is a mid-range smartphone offering a blend of performance, display quality, and decent cameras at an attractive price point. Launched in India, it targets young and tech-savvy users who prioritize these aspects without breaking the bank. Let’s delve deeper into what the iQOO Z9 brings to the table.
Performance Packed with the MediaTek Dimensity 7200
At the heart of the iQOO Z9 lies the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 5G chipset built on a power-efficient 4nm process. This translates to smooth performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even some gaming. The 2.8 GHz clock speed ensures responsiveness, while the 8GB of RAM allows for running multiple apps simultaneously without lags.
While not the top-of-the-line processor, the Dimensity 7200 offers good value for the price. Benchmarks suggest it can handle popular games at decent settings, making it a good option for casual gamers. iQOO touts the phone’s ability to handle multitasking like a pro, which aligns well with the target audience of young users who juggle between social media, messaging, and light gaming.
A Display That’s Bright and Smooth
The iQOO Z9 boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This translates to a smooth and visually pleasing experience, whether you’re scrolling through social media feeds, watching videos, or gaming. The display offers a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), which delivers sharp visuals without being too demanding on the battery.
An impressive aspect of the display is its 1800 nits peak brightness. This makes content easily viewable even in bright outdoor conditions. Whether you’re using the phone for navigation on a sunny day or enjoying a movie outdoors, the display’s brightness ensures a good viewing experience.
Camera System: Capable But Not Class-Leading
The iQOO Z9 features a rear camera system with a primary 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS). This sensor is capable of capturing good-quality photos in well-lit conditions. The OIS helps reduce blur caused by shaky hands, especially in low-light situations.
However, the phone is accompanied by two additional 2MP sensors, one for depth information and another possibly for macro shots. These secondary sensors likely won’t contribute significantly to image quality. The front-facing camera for selfies is a 16MP sensor, which should be adequate for most casual users.
While the camera system might not compete with high-end flagships, it delivers decent results for daily use and social media sharing. Users expecting exceptional low-light photography or professional-grade features might need to consider other options.
Design and Battery Life
The iQOO Z9 comes in two color options: Brushed Green and Graphene Blue. The phone boasts a sleek and slim design, measuring just 7.83mm in thickness. This makes it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
A 5000mAh battery keeps the phone powered throughout the day. Paired with the power-efficient processor, you can expect good battery life for regular usage. The phone also supports 44W fast charging, which allows you to quickly top up the battery when needed.
Software: Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14
The iQOO Z9 runs on Funtouch OS 14, based on the latest Android 14 operating system. Funtouch OS is a custom skin developed by iQOO’s parent company, vivo. It offers a feature-rich experience with customizations and additional functionalities on top of stock Android.
However, some users might find the custom skin to be bloated with additional apps or have a steeper learning curve compared to a stock Android experience..
