Design: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Display: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Camera: ⭐⭐⭐
Performance: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Battery Life: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ (4.5/5)
iQOO Z9 Turbo is a performance-driven smartphone designed for gamers and power users. It features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals and is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor. Its 50MP dual-camera setup captures sharp images, while the 6000mAh battery with 80W fast charging keeps you going all day. With a sleek design and advanced cooling system, the iQOO Z9 Turbo is an excellent choice for those seeking power, style, and long-lasting battery life.
Design & Build Quality
- Slim & Sleek: Measuring just 7.98mm in thickness and weighing 194.9 grams, the iQOO Z9 Turbo is a slim and lightweight device despite housing a massive 6000mAh battery. It feels comfortable to hold, even during prolonged usage.
- Stylish Aesthetics: The phone’s design is similar to premium iQOO devices, featuring a squircle camera module on the back. The flat display on the front complements its modern look. Available in Black, White, and Green, the device has a minimalist and premium feel.
- Durability: The IP64 rating ensures that the phone can withstand minor splashes of water and dust, making it more resilient for everyday use.
Display
- 6.78-inch AMOLED Panel: The display is one of the standout features of the iQOO Z9 Turbo. The AMOLED panel offers rich colors, deep blacks, and a high resolution of 1.5K (1260 x 2800 pixels), which makes visuals look crisp and clear.
- High Refresh Rate: With a 144Hz refresh rate, scrolling through apps, navigating the UI, and playing high-frame-rate games feel incredibly smooth. This makes it especially attractive for gamers and users who prioritize a fluid experience.
- Brightness & Visibility: The display can reach an impressive peak brightness of 4500 nits, making it highly visible even under bright sunlight. It also supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, ensuring that video content looks vibrant and immersive.
- Eye Comfort: The display features 3840Hz high-frequency PWM dimming, reducing flicker and ensuring comfortable viewing for extended periods, which is a bonus for users who spend a lot of time on their phone.
Performance
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3: The heart of the iQOO Z9 Turbo is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which delivers flagship-level performance. Paired with the Adreno 642L GPU, this phone is built to handle resource-heavy apps and intense gaming without lag.
- Gaming-Ready: The 6043mm² canopy VC liquid cooling system ensures that the device remains cool, even during long gaming sessions. This is crucial for maintaining consistent performance without throttling due to overheating.
- RAM & Storage Options: The base model comes with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, ensuring fast multitasking and ample space for apps, games, and media. For those requiring more, higher storage configurations are available (though pricing for those models hasn’t been confirmed yet).
Camera Setup
- Front Camera: The 16MP front-facing camera is decent for selfies and video calls, but its performance in low-light conditions could be better. The camera also supports face detection and beauty modes to enhance selfies.
- Rear Camera: The iQOO Z9 Turbo sports a dual-camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor.
- 50MP Main Camera: The primary camera delivers sharp and well-detailed photos, especially in good lighting conditions. It also supports OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), which reduces blurring and improves the quality of low-light photos and videos.
- 2MP Depth Sensor: The secondary camera helps with portrait shots by providing background blur, but it’s relatively basic compared to other phones that offer ultra-wide or macro lenses.
Battery Life
- 6000mAh Battery: A major highlight is its massive 6000mAh battery, which easily lasts more than a day on heavy usage and up to two days on moderate use. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the battery life is a strong selling point.
- 80W Fast Charging: The phone supports 80W fast charging, allowing it to charge quickly when needed. According to the company, it can charge from 0 to 50% in around 15-20 minutes, which is excellent for users who are constantly on the go.
Software
- Android 14: The device runs Android 14, offering the latest Android features and security updates. The UI is relatively clean with minimal bloatware, ensuring smooth performance and a more customized experience for users.
Gaming Experience
- The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, combined with Adreno 642L GPU and 144Hz refresh rate, ensures a top-tier gaming experience. Popular games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact run smoothly on high settings.
- The VC liquid cooling technology prevents the phone from overheating during long gaming sessions, which is a big advantage for mobile gamers.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✅ Powerful Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, great for gaming.
- ✅ High-Quality Display: 6.78-inch AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support.
- ✅ Long Battery Life: 6000mAh battery with 80W fast charging.
- ✅ Slim & Lightweight: Easy to handle, despite large battery.
- ✅ Effective Cooling: Liquid cooling system for smooth gaming.
- ✅ IP64 Rating: Splash and dust resistance.
Cons
- ❌ Average Cameras: 2MP secondary camera, basic photography.
- ❌ Lack of Stereo Speakers: Audio quality could be better.
- ❌ Front Camera Performance: Not great in low-light.
Verdict
The iQOO Z9 Turbo is a solid contender in the mid-range smartphone market, especially for gaming enthusiasts and heavy users. It provides an excellent display, high-performance hardware, and a reliable battery, all at an attractive price of Rs. 23,430. However, for photography enthusiasts, the camera may not match up to flagship devices. Overall, it’s a great pick for those looking for a performance-driven smartphone.
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