The iQOO Z9s Pro has landed in the competitive mid-range smartphone market, and it’s making quite a statement. Promising a blend of powerful performance, stylish design, and a vibrant display, this smartphone aims to deliver a balanced user experience without breaking the bank. In this review, we delve into the key features and performance of the iQOO Z9s Pro to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
Design and Build: Striking the Right Balance
The iQOO Z9s Pro is available in two eye-catching variants: a vibrant reddish-orange vegan leather with a subtle golden frame, and a sophisticated white marble with a silver border. The phone boasts a lightweight build at 194g, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.
While the frame is made of plastic, the vegan leather and marble textured backs add a touch of premium feel. The phone’s layout is user-friendly, featuring a Type-C port, speaker grille, and SIM tray on the bottom, while the power and volume buttons are conveniently placed on the right side. The SIM tray accommodates two nano SIMs, but unfortunately, there’s no dedicated slot for a microSD card.
iQOO Z9s Pro Display: Bright and Beautiful
The iQOO Z9s Pro sports a standard 120Hz AMOLED display, delivering smooth scrolling and animations. What sets it apart, however, is its impressive peak brightness of 4500 nits, making it one of the brightest displays in this segment. This translates to excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The 2000Hz touch sampling rate ensures responsive touch interactions, further enhancing the overall user experience. iQOO Z9s Pro Review
iQOO Z9s Pro Specification
| Specification | Details |
| Network Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | Announced: August 21, 2024; Released: August 23, 2024 |
| Body | Dimensions: 163.7 x 75 x 7.5 or 8.0 mm |
| Weight: 185 g or 190 g (6.53 oz) | |
| SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | |
| IP64, dust and water resistant | |
| Display | Type: AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Size: 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) | |
| Resolution: 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) | |
| Protection: Schott Xensation | |
| Platform | OS: Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 |
| Chipset: Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | |
| CPU: Octa-core (1×2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | |
| GPU: Adreno 720 | |
| Memory | Card slot: No |
| Internal: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | |
| UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | Dual: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS |
| 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) | |
| Features: LED flash, panorama, HDR | |
| Video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0″, 1.0µm |
| Video: 1080p@30fps | |
| Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 3.5mm jack: No | |
| 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio | |
| Comms | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Bluetooth: 5.4, A2DP, LE | |
| Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | |
| NFC: No | |
| Radio: FM radio | |
| USB: USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | |
| Features | Sensors: Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Type: Li-Ion 5500 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging: 80W wired, 50% in 21 min (advertised) | |
| 7.5W reverse wired | |
| Misc | Colors: Flamboyant Orange, Luxe Marble |
iQOO Z9s Pro Camera Review: Good in Daylight, Room for Improvement in Low Light
However, as pointed out by Tech Burner, the 50MP mode seems to produce better results overall. The 16MP selfie camera captures decent self-portraits.
In well-lit conditions, the iQOO Z9s Pro’s camera delivers commendable performance. However, low-light photography might leave you wanting more. Photos taken in direct sunlight might also exhibit some unnatural edits. The 2x digital zoom offers a basic telephoto effect, but don’t expect optical zoom capabilities. iQOO Z9s Pro Review
iQOO Z9s Pro Review, Performance: Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 at the Helm
Under the hood, the iQOO Z9s Pro is powered by the capable Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. This chipset strikes a good balance between performance and power efficiency, making it a suitable choice for this price range. During Tech Burner’s testing, the phone handled gaming at close to max settings without breaking a sweat.
iQOO Z9s Pro Battery and Storage Review: Details to be Unveiled
While the Tech Burner video didn’t delve into the battery capacity or its real-world performance, we expect it to be sufficient for a day’s worth of moderate usage, given the power-efficient processor and optimizations. The phone comes with UFS 2.1 storage, which, while not the fastest, should be adequate for most users’ needs.
Additional Features: Fast Charging Included
The iQOO Z9s Pro ships with an 80W charger, ensuring quick top-ups when you’re running low on battery. This is a welcome addition, especially for users who are always on the go. iQOO Z9s Pro Review
Verdict: A Performance-Centric Contender
The iQOO Z9s Pro, priced at ₹17,999 (discounted), positions itself as a performance-driven smartphone. It focuses on delivering a balanced experience in other areas. It has a powerful processor. It has a vibrant display and stylish design. These features make it an attractive option for users seeking a capable device without stretching their budget.
However, if camera performance and display quality are your top priorities, you might want to explore other alternatives in this segment. Overall, the iQOO Z9s Pro is a strong contender in the mid-range market, catering to users who prioritize performance and value for money.
Credit: This article incorporates information from Tech Burner’s YouTube video review of the iQOO Z9s Pro.
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When was the iQOO Z9s Pro launched?
The iQOO Z9s Pro was officially unveiled on August 21, 2024, marking its debut in the Indian smartphone market. This strategic launch date positioned the device to capitalize on the growing demand for mid-range smartphones in the country. The phone’s release was followed by a flurry of positive reviews and high consumer interest, solidifying its place in the competitive landscape.
Is the iQOO Z9s Pro water-resistant?
The phone has an IP64 rating, meaning it is dust and splash resistant but not fully waterproof. It can handle light rain or accidental spills, but it’s best to avoid submerging it in water.