iQoo Z9X Full Review
The iQoo Z9X is poised to be a strong contender in its category, and it may very well dominate its segment. This phone has been highly anticipated, and it’s clear why. Today, we’re here to provide an honest and thorough review of the Z9X, giving you all the insights needed to help you decide whether this device is worth your investment.
Starting with the design, iQoo has done a commendable job. The phone has a sleek appearance, even though the rear panel, which looks like glass, is actually made of plastic. This design choice might concern some users, but surprisingly, it doesn’t attract many fingerprints, making it a practical option for daily use. The camera module, however, can pick up some smudges, but overall, it remains manageable.
The phone has a modern, square-boxy shape, which gives it a bold aesthetic without making it feel too bulky. Despite housing a massive 6000mAh battery, it maintains a comfortable thickness and weight, making it easy to hold for extended periods. The secondary noise-cancelling microphone, Type-C port, and 3.5mm headphone jack are all welcome inclusions, ensuring this phone caters to a wide range of users, including those who still prefer wired audio solutions.
Performance:
On the performance front, the iQoo Z9X delivers in many areas. Running on OriginOS 4 based on Android 14, the phone is equipped with the reliable Qualcomm Snapdragon 6z1 processor. Paired with UFS 2.2 storage, it ensures that everyday tasks run smoothly without hiccups. Available in two variants (8/128GB and 6/128GB), it provides flexibility based on your needs. Our review unit was the 8/128GB variant, and its performance during daily tasks was nothing short of stellar.
One of the standout features of this phone is its 120Hz display, which offers an ultra-smooth experience that surpasses many phones in its category. Whether you’re scrolling through social media, multitasking, or gaming, the display feels responsive and lag-free. The ability to juggle multiple applications (six to seven heavy apps) running in the background further emphasizes its efficiency.
Gaming Performance:
For gamers, this phone doesn’t disappoint. Although it’s not marketed as a gaming phone per se, the iQoo Z9X handles graphically intensive games remarkably well. Frame rates remain stable even during long gaming sessions, and while the phone gets slightly warm under heavy load, it doesn’t affect the overall experience. The Snapdragon 6z1, combined with its 120Hz display, offers a smooth, enjoyable gaming experience, making it an excellent choice for casual and semi-serious gamers alike.
Battery Life:
The battery life on the iQoo Z9X is one of its major selling points. A 6000mAh battery ensures that you won’t be reaching for your charger throughout the day. In our tests, the battery easily lasted two days with moderate usage, which includes social media, web browsing, and video streaming. Even with heavy usage, including gaming and photography, the phone still managed to last a full day. The included 44W fast charger recharges the battery quickly, allowing you to get back to using the phone in no time. The fast-charging feature is particularly convenient, as the phone can be fully charged in just under an hour.
Camera:
On the camera side, the iQoo Z9X features a 50MP main camera paired with a 2MP depth sensor. While the camera setup might seem modest compared to some competitors, it still produces solid results in well-lit environments. The colors are vibrant, and the details are sharp, although we noticed a slight tendency for oversharpening in certain scenes. The depth sensor adds to the portrait mode functionality, but its performance, like most budget phones, isn’t groundbreaking.
In low-light situations, the camera tends to soften the images, losing some detail. However, using the night mode significantly improves the quality of the photos, brightening them up and reducing noise. While it won’t compete with flagship-level photography, it’s certainly adequate for casual users who aren’t too demanding about their photography needs.
The front camera is 8MP, and while it’s nothing extraordinary, it does the job for selfies and video calls. Under indoor lighting, selfies may appear a bit soft, but the quality improves outdoors. The phone supports 4K video recording at 30fps on the rear camera, and when shooting in 1080p with the Ultra Steady mode, you get excellent stability, perfect for capturing smoother videos.
Display:
Another area where the iQoo Z9X shines is its display. The 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel is bright, with a peak brightness of 1000 nits, making it easily viewable even under direct sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures fluidity in animations and scrolling, making it ideal for gamers and those who demand a seamless user experience. While some users might wish for an AMOLED display, the IPS panel holds its own by offering vivid colors and good viewing angles. The color accuracy is impressive, and while it may not have the deep blacks of an AMOLED, it compensates with brightness and clarity.
Software Experience:
The OriginOS 4 skin atop Android 14 offers a clean and customizable experience. There’s a range of features built in to optimize performance, and the interface is relatively bloat-free. However, some pre-installed apps might not appeal to everyone, but they can be disabled or uninstalled if not needed.
Final Thoughts:
In conclusion, the iQoo Z9X brings a lot to the table, particularly in terms of performance, display quality, and battery life. Its strengths lie in its smooth user experience, excellent multitasking capabilities, and the long-lasting battery that keeps the phone running for extended periods. The absence of an ultra-wide camera and dual speakers might be seen as limitations, but they don’t significantly detract from the phone’s overall value.
If you’re looking for a reliable, well-rounded smartphone that delivers solid performance, offers a vibrant display, and ensures long battery life, the iQoo Z9X should definitely be on your radar. It strikes a good balance between functionality and affordability, making it a great option for anyone seeking a capable phone without breaking the bank.
