iQOO Z9x Review: A Budget 5G Smartphone That Gets It Right
The iQOO Z9x is here to make 5G accessible to everyone. With Jio and Airtel offering unlimited 5G internet, it’s time for affordable 5G smartphones to support this new era, and the iQOO Z9x does just that.
Sleek Design, Durable Build
The iQOO Z9x may remind you of the flagship iQOO 12, though it’s not as premium. It boasts a solid feel despite its plastic frame and back panel, making it one of the thinnest and lightest phones with a 6,000 mAh battery. The plastic back also adds durability. It includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, a transparent case, and a charger in the box. Plus, it has an IP64 rating for water and dust resistance, a rare feature in budget phones.
Decent Display
The phone sports a 6.72-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. While some might prefer an OLED panel, the LCD screen is still quite effective. The bezels are slightly uneven, and there’s a blue halo effect on white screens, but the punch-hole cutout enhances its modern look. The screen comes with a pre-installed protector to guard against scratches.
Good-Enough Camera
The iQOO Z9x features a 50 MP primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture and a 2 MP bokeh sensor. The 8 MP front camera is good for selfies. The main camera performs well in daylight, capturing vibrant colors and details. It supports 4K video recording at 30fps. Though 50 MP might seem modest, the camera is well-optimized for various conditions.
Here are some samples straight from the iQOO Z9x:
Excellent Day-to-Day Performance
Priced around Rs 15,000, the iQOO Z9x offers a great user experience and impressive battery life. Powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, it handles tasks like web browsing, social media, and video streaming smoothly, and supports moderate gaming with reduced graphics settings. It comes in 4/6/8 GB RAM variants with 128 GB storage, and the 6 GB RAM model is recommended for better multitasking. There’s also a microSD card slot for up to 1 TB of extra storage. It runs on Android 14 with some bloatware, but iQOO promises two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates. The 6,000 mAh battery with 44W fast charging ensures all-day use for heavy users and up to two days for moderate users. The fast charger is included.
Reliable 5G Performance
The iQOO Z9x supports both SA and NSA 5G networks and works with Airtel 5G Plus and Jio True 5G. While 5G performance is slightly lower compared to some other devices, it still offers good connectivity and faster internet speeds with lower latency than 4G. The phone stays cool even when used as a WiFi hotspot.
A Well-Packed Affordable 5G Smartphone
At less than Rs 13,000, the iQOO Z9x is a compelling choice for anyone looking for their first 5G smartphone. It delivers solid performance, exceptional battery life, and a sleek design, making it a great all-rounder in the budget segment.
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