iQoo 9 SE: A Budget-Friendly Powerhouse Redefining Value in the Premium Smartphone Market

This year, iQoo introduced three smartphones as part of its premium 9-series collection. While an iQoo 9 was anticipated, the company surprised everyone by unveiling two additional models. The iQoo 9 Pro (Review) is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and boasts a gimbal-stabilised camera, positioning it as a competitor against premium devices from Samsung and OnePlus. Additionally, the iQoo 9 SE is engineered to address demand in the affordable segment of the premium smartphone market. After a week of using the iQoo 9 SE, I found that while it has its flaws, it still provides strong value for its price. Here’s my assessment.

iQoo 9 SE pricing in India

The iQoo 9 SE comes in two variants and finishes. The model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage retails for Rs. 33,990, whereas the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage option is priced at Rs. 37,990. Both versions are offered in Space Fusion and Sunset Sierra hues. I tested a unit in Sunset Sierra with 12GB of RAM.

iQoo 9 SE design

The iQoo 9 SE in the Sunset Sierra colorway exudes a premium feel. Its profile is sleek and slender. The back and frame are crafted from polycarbonate, while the elevated camera module is constructed from metal. The matte finish of the frame and back, while visually appealing, increases the risk of slippage; however, they do well to minimize fingerprints. Although this device lacks an official IP rating, the manufacturer asserts it has adequate seals around the ports and SIM tray, providing an equivalent of an IP52 rating.

Constructed from polycarbonate, the back panel and frame of the iQoo 9 SE 5G

 

The smartphone features a 6.62-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz. The bezels are slim throughout, and the front-facing camera’s hole is subtly integrated. The display is protected by Panda glass, which is effective at reducing fingerprints. The volume rocker and power button are positioned on the right side, with the SIM tray, Type-C USB port, and primary speaker located at the bottom. Moreover, the device has an in-display fingerprint scanner that is fast and dependable.

iQoo 9 SE specifications and software

Equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, the 9 SE is further enhanced by iQoo’s proprietary Intelligent Display Chip (IDC), designed to assist the integrated GPU with MEMC (Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation) and SDR-to-HDR video upscaling as necessary. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, and standard satellite navigation systems. While it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, iQoo includes a Type-C to 3.5mm adapter in the package. The dual-SIM tray supports dual-5G standby, but there is no option for external storage expansion.

The iQoo 9 SE 5G operates on Funtouch OS 12, built on Android 12

 

This model runs on Funtouch OS 12, which is based on Android 12, incorporating features like the new Material You widgets, a permissions manager, and a privacy dashboard. However, unlike the iQoo 9 Pro, this version lacks the theming engine, preventing automatic adjustments of keyboard and widget colors to match the chosen wallpaper. Several pre-installed third-party applications are available but can be uninstalled if desired.

iQoo 9 SE performance

The 6.62-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED screen displays vibrant colors in the default ‘Standard’ mode. While many users will appreciate the vibrancy, a ‘Professional’ mode is also available for those preferring a more natural color representation. Sunlight visibility is commendable, and I encountered no issues with touch responsiveness during typical usage.

The iQoo 9 SE 5G sports a 6.62-inch full-HD+ Super AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz

 

The adaptive 120Hz refresh rate toggles between 120Hz and 60Hz based on the content. The display is certified for HDR10+, enabling a pleasant viewing experience for HDR content on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. The dual stereo speakers provide a loud, clear, and well-balanced sound during video streaming and gaming.

In regular usage, software performance is fluid and seamless, with no indications of lag or stutter. Benchmark performances were impressive and competitive. The iQoo 9 SE achieved a score of 8,54,095 in AnTuTu and scored 1,065 and 3,414 in Geekbench’s single and multi-core tests, respectively. These results are comparable to those of some Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 devices.

Gaming capabilities were generally solid. The phone did heat up slightly while playing at the highest graphics settings, but this did not compromise performance. Asphalt 9: Legends ran smoothly with the graphics set to High Quality (60 fps mode). Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) operated well with HDR settings and the frame rate set to Extreme. However, Call of Duty: Mobile exhibited performance issues, experiencing stuttering and lag from the launch through menus and during gameplay even at lower graphical settings. Hopefully, these issues can be resolved through future software updates.

The iQoo 9 SE 5G is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery

 

The battery life is satisfactory; the device managed an impressive 20 hours and 1 minute in our HD video loop test. The 4,500mAh battery comfortably lasted a day and a half with gaming and camera usage. Charging the iQoo 9 SE with its 66W charger takes it from 0-76% in just 30 minutes, fully charging in 50 minutes.

iQoo 9 SE cameras

The iQoo 9 SE features a triple rear camera setup and a single 16-megapixel selfie camera. The rear configuration consists of a 48-megapixel (with OIS) main sensor, a 13-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel mono sensor for depth sensing. The ultra-wide camera can also function as a macro camera due to its autofocus capability. The camera interface is standard for iQoo, with key controls located on the left side of the display. A menu allows quick access to camera settings, aspect ratios, a timer, and a framing guide. The primary modes available in the app (photo, video, portrait, and Night by default) can be customized to include frequently used options.

The iQoo 9 SE 5G boasts three rear-facing cameras

 

Daylight photos captured excellent detail with strong dynamic range. Portrait mode images from the rear camera showcased sharp textures and commendable edge detection. The ultra-wide-angle camera produced fair images, though they showed increased sharpness in the center and blurriness toward the edges. Macro shots taken with the ultra-wide sensor exhibited impressive detail. Selfies also appeared clean and sharp, with good dynamic range.

iQoo 9 SE daylight camera samples. Top to bottom: Ultra-wide, primary, and macro modes

 

In low-light conditions, the auto mode struggled with texture detail clarity, yielding some noise in poorly lit scenarios; however, the overall image quality remained decent. Activating Night mode improved brightness and sharpness, though the quality did not see a significant enhancement. The ultra-wide camera’s performance in low light was average, producing soft images. Selfies taken in dim lighting were satisfactory, showing good detail with controlled noise, but edge detection was only average.

iQoo 9 SE low-light camera samples. Top to bottom: Selfie, auto mode, and night mode

 

Daylight video recordings displayed a slight saturation but maintained a good dynamic range. Stabilization was evident; however, it faltered beyond 4K at 30fps. Clips at 4K 60fps were commendable in quality but appeared quite shaky. Low-light footage (at either 1080p or 4K at 30fps) looked impressive, characterized by good stabilization and minimal noise.

Final Thoughts

The iQoo 9 SE stands as a formidable player in the sub-Rs. 40,000 smartphone sector, offering remarkable value for its price. This segment in India boasts various appealing options from different brands, yet the iQoo 9 SE’s software and camera capabilities make it particularly noteworthy. Moreover, it is equipped with several advantages that enhance its attractiveness, such as an HDR-compatible display, an effective low-light selfie camera, and the aptitude for outstanding macro photography.

Furthermore, its competitive pricing is an attractive factor. Starting at Rs. 33,990 for the 8GB+128GB variant, the iQoo 9 SE presents a compelling alternative to the Realme GT 5G (Review), which is also recognized for its value. The iQoo 9 SE would be a favorable option over Samsung’s newly launched Galaxy A53 5G (Review) unless an IP67 rating is a critical requirement. For those in search of a near-stock Android experience, Motorola’s Moto Edge 20 Pro (Review) is also worth considering.

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