iQoo made headlines with the launch of the Neo 9 Pro in February, swiftly followed by the release of the more budget-friendly iQoo Z9 just last month. The iQoo Z9 presents itself as a standout contender in the mid-range smartphone segment, boasting impressive specifications and features. Our team has had the opportunity to thoroughly test the iQoo Z9 across various aspects including its day-to-day performance, camera capabilities, and battery life. Positioned in the competitive Indian market within the Rs. 20,000 price range, the iQoo Z9 faces off against popular devices like the Realme 12+ 5G, Moto G84 5G, Honor X9b, and Nothing Phone 2a.
Priced competitively, the iQoo Z9 in India starts at Rs. 19,999 for the base model featuring 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. Additionally, there is a 256GB storage variant, which we have reviewed, priced at Rs. 21,999. Available in Brushed Green and Graphene Blue color options, the iQoo Z9 comes bundled with accessories including a transparent TPU case, SIM ejector tool, a 44W charger, and a USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable. The design of the iQoo Z9 introduces a fresh aesthetic with brushstroke patterns emanating from the rear camera module towards the lower section of the device, accentuated by the lack of visible branding on the rear panel.
The Brushed Green variant of the iQoo Z9 showcases a unique design reminiscent of the iQoo Z7 Pro from its camera layout to the metallic finish. Despite housing a hefty 5,000mAh battery, the iQoo Z9 maintains a balanced weight and features a comfortable grip with its flat edges. The device sports slim bezels delivering an immersive visual experience with an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance. Performance-wise, the iQoo Z9 is powered by an octa-core 4nm Dimensity 7200 SoC, accompanied by 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM.
The device offers “Extended RAM” functionality that utilizes spare storage to effectively expand the available memory to 16GB. Supporting 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and GPS connectivity, the iQoo Z9 lacks NFC capabilities for contactless payments. The device boasts a responsive in-display fingerprint scanner for quick and secure access. The 6.67-inch AMOLED display ensures vibrant visuals suitable for outdoor usage. Running on Android 14 with the Funtouch OS 14 skin, the iQoo Z9 introduces features like the V-Appstore for app recommendations and updates.
Furthermore, the device guarantees two OS updates and three years of security patches. The 5,000mAh battery of the iQoo Z9 supports swift 44W charging via the included adapter. Equipped with the Dimensity 7200 chipset, the iQoo Z9 promises seamless performance within the mid-range smartphone segment. Boasting impressive benchmark scores, the phone excels in multitasking and gaming scenarios. Games like Asphalt 9 run effortlessly, complemented by a dedicated game mode for optimized performance.
Our testing revealed that popular titles like Battlegrounds Mobile India can be enjoyed at high settings without any performance issues even after extended gameplay sessions. Benchmark results showcase the superior performance of the iQoo Z9, scoring significantly higher compared to peers in its price bracket. On AnTuTu 10, the device garnered an impressive score of 687,545 points, while Geekbench single-core and multi-core scores peaked at 1,151 and 2,669, respectively. The iQoo Z9 emerges as a robust contender offering compelling performance and features in the competitive mid-range smartphone space.The iQoo Z9 has exhibited impressive performance in various benchmark tests. In the PCMark Work 3.0 benchmark, it achieved a notable score of 13,319 points. Moreover, in the 3DMark tests, the device scored 6,654 points in Sling Shot and 5,766 points in Sling Shot Extreme. Additionally, it garnered 4,126 points in Wild Life and 4,205 points in Wild Life Unlimited benchmark tests. In the GFXBench assessments, the iQoo Z9 attained 6,058 points on the T-Rex test and scored 3702 points on the Manhattan 3.1 benchmark.
The handset is equipped with a 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate, 394ppi pixel density, and a peak brightness of 1800 nits. While the display offers vibrant visuals, some users reported visibility issues under bright sunlight. The device provides three display colour profile options — standard, professional, and bright — catering to individual preferences. The standard mode emerged as a popular choice among users due to its balanced display characteristics.
On the battery front, the iQoo Z9 houses a robust 5,000mAh battery that delivers prolonged usage before requiring a recharge. During the HD battery loop test, the device lasted an impressive 23 hours and 14 minutes. Users reported having between 23 percent to 29 percent battery remaining at the end of a typical day, involving gaming, photography, and video recording. The device supports fast charging, taking approximately 32 minutes to reach 50% and about 55 minutes for a full recharge.
In terms of camera capabilities, the iQoo Z9 boasts a 50-megapixel primary camera with a Sony IMX882 sensor. The device incorporates a 2-megapixel depth sensor for enhanced imaging. On the front, it features a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The primary camera delivers sharp images with accurate colors, especially in well-lit conditions. Users can seamlessly switch between different zoom levels, capturing detailed shots of various subjects. The night mode enhances low-light photography, reducing noise levels and preserving image quality.
Despite its impressive features, the iQoo Z9 faces stiff competition from other smartphones in its price segment. Rivals like the Samsung Galaxy M34 and Realme 12+ 5G offer unique features such as better camera quality, faster charging, and additional camera lenses. However, the iQoo Z9 stands out for its efficient performance, reliable battery life, and vibrant display. Users seeking a mid-range smartphone with a balance of features and affordability will find the iQoo Z9 a compelling option.
