iQoo Z9x Review: A Budget 5G Powerhouse with Impressive Battery Life

The iQoo Z9x has emerged as a compelling contender. Offering a blend of performance, long-lasting battery life, and an attractive price point, this device aims to redefine expectations in the sub-Rs. 15,000 segment. But does it truly deliver on its promises? Let’s dive deep into our comprehensive review of the iQoo Z9x to find out.

Key Takeaways

Impressive battery life with a 6,000mAh capacity and 44W fast charging
Solid performance powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset
Decent display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1000 nits peak brightness
IP64 dust and water resistance, uncommon in this price range
Camera performance is adequate but not exceptional
Funtouch OS 14 offers extensive customization but comes with bloatware

iQoo Z9x Review

Whether you’re a student looking for a reliable device for online classes, a young professional needing a capable work companion, or simply a tech enthusiast on a budget, this review will help you determine if the iQoo Z9x is the right fit for your needs. Let’s begin our journey through the various aspects of this intriguing budget smartphone.

Pros	Cons
Long-lasting battery	Camera could be better
Good performance for gaming	Plenty of preinstalled apps
IP64 rating	Spammy notifications
Fast 44W charging
Stereo speakers

Overall Rating: 8/10

Design and Build

The iQoo Z9x strikes a balance between aesthetics and durability. While it may not win any design awards, it offers a practical and functional build that should appeal to many users in the budget segment.

Key Design Features:

Materials: Polycarbonate back and frame
Colors: Tornado Green and Storm Grey
Dimensions: 7.99mm thick
Weight: 199 grams
IP64 rating: Dust-tight and splash-resistant

The Tornado Green variant features an interesting brushstroke pattern that shimmers under light, adding a touch of elegance to an otherwise utilitarian design. The matte finish on the rear panel does an excellent job of resisting fingerprints and smudges.

One standout feature is the IP64 rating, which is rare in this price bracket. This offers protection against dust ingress and water splashes, providing some peace of mind for daily use.

Display

The iQoo Z9x comes equipped with a large 6.72-inch LCD display that offers a good visual experience for its price point.

Display Specifications:

Size: 6.72 inches
Resolution: FHD+ (2408 x 1080 pixels)
Refresh Rate: 120Hz (adaptive)
Peak Brightness: 1000 nits
Protection: Widevine L1 certification

The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and animations, while the 1000 nits peak brightness allows for comfortable outdoor visibility. The Widevine L1 certification enables full HD streaming on popular platforms.

While it’s not an AMOLED panel, the display performs admirably for an LCD, offering vibrant colors and decent contrast. However, some users might notice a slight yellow tint at the bottom edge, particularly when viewing white backgrounds.

Performance

At the heart of the iQoo Z9x lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, which offers solid performance for a budget device.

Benchmark Scores:

AnTuTu: 559,900
Geekbench 5: 940 (single-core), 2,838 (multi-core)
GFXBench: 92 (T-Rex), 39 (Manhattan 3.1), 20 (Car Chase)

Real-world performance is smooth for everyday tasks, and the device handles multitasking well. Gaming performance is particularly impressive for its price range, with titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9: Legends running smoothly at medium to high settings.

It’s worth noting that the 120Hz refresh rate is not always utilized to its full potential. Users may need to manually enable it for specific apps to experience the smoothest possible performance.

Software

The iQoo Z9x runs on Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14. This custom skin offers extensive customization options but comes with some caveats.

Software Features:

Dynamic Effects for UI animations
AI Wallpaper Generator
Smart sidebar for quick access to apps
Ultra Game Mode for optimized gaming performance

While the customization options are appreciated, the abundance of preinstalled apps and occasional spammy notifications from the native browser app can be frustrating. Fortunately, most of these apps can be uninstalled, and notifications can be managed in the settings.

iQoo promises 2 years of major OS updates and 3 years of security updates, which is standard for this price range.

Cameras

The camera setup on the iQoo Z9x is functional but not exceptional. It consists of a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor on the rear, with an 8MP front-facing camera for selfies.

Camera Performance:

Daylight: Good detail and color reproduction
Low-light: Soft images with limited detail
Portrait Mode: Decent edge detection but struggles with complex backgrounds
Selfies: Adequate in good lighting, tends to smooth facial details

Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps on most variants, with 4K 30fps available only on the 8GB RAM model. Stabilization is better at 1080p, making it the preferred option for most users.

Battery and Charging

One of the standout features of the iQoo Z9x is its massive 6,000mAh battery, which offers exceptional battery life.

Battery Performance:

PCMark Battery Test: 20 hours and 19 minutes
Real-world usage: Easily lasts a full day with heavy use
Charging: 44W fast charging
Charging Time: 0-100% in about 1 hour 39 minutes

The combination of a large battery and efficient fast charging makes the iQoo Z9x an excellent choice for users who prioritize battery life.

Audio

The iQoo Z9x features a stereo speaker setup, which is a welcome addition at this price point. While the audio quality isn’t exceptional, with a tendency to sound tinny at high volumes, it does provide a more immersive experience compared to single-speaker setups.

The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack is also appreciated, offering flexibility for audio connectivity.

Pricing and Variants

The iQoo Z9x is available in three variants:

This pricing strategy makes the iQoo Z9x competitive in the budget 5G segment, offering good value for money, especially in terms of performance and battery life.

Comparison with Competitors

When compared to its rivals, the iQoo Z9x holds its own but faces stiff competition:

Moto G64 5G: Offers a cleaner Android experience and OIS on the main camera
Samsung Galaxy M34 5G: Provides an AMOLED display and better camera setup
Vivo T3x: Similar specifications but lacks stereo speakers
POCO X6 Neo: Features an AMOLED display
Realme P1 5G: Offers better performance and an AMOLED display

Conclusion

The iQoo Z9x is a solid contender in the budget 5G smartphone market. Its strengths lie in its impressive battery life, good performance for gaming, and the inclusion of an IP64 rating. The 120Hz display and stereo speakers enhance the multimedia experience, making it a good choice for entertainment-focused users.

However, it’s not without its drawbacks. The camera performance, while adequate, falls short of some competitors. The software experience, with its bloatware and occasional spammy notifications, may not appeal to all users.

For those prioritizing battery life, performance, and durability on a budget, the iQoo Z9x is certainly worth considering. However, if camera quality or a cleaner software experience are your top priorities, you might want to explore other options in this price range.

Final Verdict: The iQoo Z9x offers excellent value for money, especially for users who prioritize battery life and performance over camera quality and software experience. It’s a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers looking for a capable 5G smartphone.