New Era of Android Flagships: iQoo 11 5G Combines Top Performance with a Premium Price Tag

iQoo 11 5G marks the beginning of the flagship Android smartphones for 2023 in India. This device builds upon the iQoo 9T that was released the previous year. Claimed as the fastest Android smartphone in the world, the iQoo 11 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s leading Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. It is also equipped with top-notch specifications including a 2K AMOLED display, a 50-megapixel main camera, and 120W rapid charging capabilities.

The fresh model includes several ‘pro’ features; however, as is often the case, enhancements come with a price. The iQoo 11 5G is significantly pricier than its predecessor. Should you invest in the iQoo 11 5G, or would it be wise to wait for other flagship devices? Explore our comprehensive review to assist in your decision-making.

iQoo 11 5G pricing in India

The iQoo 11 5G is available in two configurations. The entry-level model comes with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, priced at Rs. 59,999. The version we are reviewing features 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, costing Rs. 64,999. As part of the launch promotions, customers using HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank cards can enjoy a Rs. 5,000 discount.

iQoo 11 5G styling and display

The iQoo 11 5G is offered in two distinct colors and finishes. We received the Legend version, notable for its classic white rear and racing stripe design, inspired by BMW Motorsport. This variant integrates a mix of fiberglass and silicone leather, providing a refreshing aesthetic and a premium feel without sacrificing hold quality. The Alpha color variant has a glass back, making it a suitable pick for those who prefer traditional black. Both configurations feature a metal chassis, enhancing robustness and the overall premium experience.

The iQoo 11 5G in the Legend color option

The device is relatively tall, making one-handed use challenging. It measures approximately 8.72mm in thickness, and the power and volume buttons are conveniently placed on the right side for easy access. Although it weighs around 205g, it does not feel excessively heavy; however, users transitioning from lighter devices may notice the difference.

On the front side, the iQoo 11 5G boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2K resolution, delivering vivid colors and deep blacks for an enjoyable viewing experience. Moreover, it is enhanced with features that enrich multimedia capabilities, such as peak brightness of 1800 nits (ideal for outdoor use), WideVine L1 compatibility, and support for HDR10 content in platforms like Netflix.

The bezel at the device’s chin is slightly thicker in comparison to other smartphones. A hole-punch cutout at the top accommodates the front-facing camera. Additionally, the screen is safeguarded by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, adding to its resistance against scratches and accidental drops.

The iQoo 11 5G’s display can smartly switch between 1Hz and 144Hz, adapting to on-screen content. While iQoo seems to have pending optimizations for achieving 144Hz across various apps, my trials revealed most operated at 120Hz. I found the Smart Switch setting to be the most effective, as it automatically adjusts the refresh rate based on power consumption and usage context. Occasionally, I experienced minor stutters in the UI with certain apps like Twitter and Instagram. Alternatively, users can set refresh rates to Standard (60Hz) or High (up to 144Hz).

The iQoo 11 5G showcases relatively narrow bezels around its AMOLED display

Furthermore, the iQoo 11 5G features a smart refresh aspect where only parts of the display refresh rapidly when necessary. For instance, within apps like YouTube, the comments section updates at a higher rate while the video playback section refreshes at a slower rate. iQoo asserts that this intelligent refresh mechanism helps minimize power usage. The device also includes Monster Touch functionality, enabling designated display portions to function as extra in-game buttons in select titles.

iQoo 11 5G specifications and software

As previously mentioned, the iQoo 11 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, making it the first smartphone in India equipped with this advanced chipset. Additionally, it includes a dedicated Vivo V2 chip that enhances camera, display, and gaming performance. The phone is powered by a sizable 5,000mAh battery, an upgrade from the iQoo 9T’s 4,700mAh variant, with a 120W fast charger included in the packaging.

Users benefit from a quick and responsive in-display fingerprint scanner, along with AI face recognition capabilities. Connectivity options comprise Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, USB Type-C, GPS, and more. However, the iQoo 11 5G does not possess an IP rating, nor does it offer wireless charging, which may be a letdown for some.

Regarding software, the iQoo 11 5G comes pre-installed with the latest Android 13, layered with Vivo’s Funtouch OS 13. This custom interface presents varied options for personalizing animations, app icons, wallpaper, and more. Funtouch OS 13 also supports the Android 13 system UI color palette feature, allowing for color adjustments based on user-set wallpapers or themes.

Funtouch OS allows the creation of guest profiles, ensuring that others can use the same device without accessing personal apps and data. This feature functions similarly to user profiles on services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, maintaining individual user preferences and watch history. This represents a commendable privacy enhancement for individuals who frequently share their devices.

Additional features include widget support on the home screen and accessibility to Android 13’s Privacy Dashboard and Permission Manager. Despite these positive aspects, the company’s native V-App Store generates an abundance of unwanted notifications, which can be bothersome. Fortunately, the UI contains few third-party applications aside from Snapchat, Spotify, and Byju’s, all of which can be removed if desired.

The V-App Store is often inundated with unsolicited notifications and suggestions

iQoo has pledged to deliver three years of Android updates and four years of security support for the iQoo 11 5G, implying that users can expect updates from Android 14 to Android 16, along with security patches available until 2027.

iQoo 11 5G performance and battery endurance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC at the heart of the iQoo 11 5G delivers outstanding performance. My experience showed no lag during gaming sessions or regular activities on the device. Call of Duty: Mobile performed seamlessly at the ‘Max’ frame rate setting and ‘Very High’ graphics, while the phone remained surprisingly cool even after several matches lasting roughly 20 minutes each. I also enjoyed playing Asphalt 9 Legends, which maintained steady performance without any noticeable lag.

There’s a feature called frame rate interpolation on the iQoo 11 5G that supposedly adds extra frames to a game, even if the game doesn’t inherently support it. The ‘Ultra Game’ mode further permits switching among Battery Saver, Balanced, and Monster power modes. While Balanced mode provides a fair blend of performance and efficiency, Monster mode unleashes the SoC’s maximum capabilities, albeit at the expense of battery longevity.

I conducted a few benchmark tests to evaluate whether the iQoo 11 5G could meet the manufacturer’s claimed score of 13,23,820 points on AnTuTu. Our review model achieved 12,63,366 points in AnTuTu, slightly below the anticipated figure but still among the top scores we’ve obtained. The iQoo 11 5G outperformed the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC-powered Asus ROG Phone 6 (Review) by a significant margin. In Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core assessments, the device scored 884 and 3099, respectively.

Included with the iQoo 11 5G is a 120W fast charger

With significant power comes the concern of excessive battery drainage; however, the iQoo 11 5G exhibits commendable optimization for its flagship Snapdragon SoC. I attained an average screen-on time exceeding six hours, which is quite respectable. During our HD video loop test, the device lasted an impressive 20 hours and 59 minutes, which is noteworthy for a premium Android smartphone. Moreover, the 120W fast charger rejuvenated the battery from 1-100 percent in just 23 minutes, a few minutes quicker than advertised.

iQoo 11 5G camera capabilities

The rear of the iQoo 11 5G features a triple-camera arrangement. It includes a 50-megapixel Samsung GN5 camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). Alongside this primary sensor is an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 13-megapixel portrait camera equipped with 2X optical zoom.

The iQoo 11 5G incorporates Vivo’s V2 chip, enhancing low-light camera performance

Typically, iQoo’s high-end smartphones are known for their impressive camera quality, and the iQoo 11 5G largely maintains this reputation. The main camera performs admirably in daylight, producing slightly boosted colors and commendable dynamic range. It captures images with balanced highlights and well-exposed shadows at any time. In Photo mode with scene detection active, it can occasionally produce good low-light shots that are well-lit. For brighter low-light captures, users can toggle Night mode, which generally requires a few seconds for capture and additional time for processing.

Captured images from the primary camera of the iQoo 11 5G

The ultra-wide camera’s performance lags behind that of many competing flagship devices. Captures from the 8-megapixel sensor lack sharpness, particularly near the edges, and the dynamic range is also below par. I expected a better performance from iQoo in this aspect. The telephoto camera capturing 2X optical zoom offers good detail retention, with a natural-looking blur around the subject. Nevertheless, in portrait mode, the subject’s skin tone often appears disproportionately lighter, resulting in a fairer complexion than reality.

From the top down: Ultra-wide image, ultra-wide image, Portrait shot on the iQoo 11 5G

For selfies, the 16-megapixel front camera generally captures accurate skin tones. However, similar to the rear camera’s portrait mode, the front lens tends to render subjects appearing fairer. The skin smoothing effect remains active even with beauty modes disabled. Occasionally, it blurs inappropriate edges, such as in the captured image where the software incorrectly blurred parts of my face and the earphones I wore.

Portrait mode captured using the front camera of the iQoo 11 5G

In terms of video capabilities, the iQoo 11 5G allows for recording at 8K 30fps using the rear camera. The V2 chip enables Night Mode for video at 4K 30fps, delivering impressive results, despite some noise in dark areas; overall, the video quality exceeds that of standard recording modes. Users can also shoot night mode videos at 1080p 30fps, though 1080p or 4K 60fps recording is not supported.

The front camera is limited to recording in 1080p 30fps, providing good exposure, but there are compromises regarding dynamic range.

Conclusion

The iQoo 11 5G sets a benchmark for flagship Android smartphones in 2023. While design preferences are subjective, I have a fondness for the faux-leather finish of the Legend variant. However, it would be great if iQoo explored more color options, as having just two can feel restrictive. The phone satisfactorily meets expectations with its impressive display, robust performance, and excellent battery life, complemented by the inclusion of a 120W charger. The anticipated three major Android updates are a positive aspect, although Funtouch OS may need to be less aggressive with notifications from its own apps. The absence of wireless charging and an IP rating is a slight drawback for the 11 5G.

The primary camera performs admirably and offers intriguing features like night mode for video. Yet for a device priced at Rs. 64,999, it could benefit from a superior ultra-wide camera. I would argue that the iQoo 9 Pro (Review) has a better camera setup and could serve you more effectively at a lower cost. If you are indifferent to specific specifications, the iQoo 9 Pro remains a solid choice due to its provisions for wireless charging and an enhanced Ultrasonic fingerprint reader.

Nonetheless, if you seek a device that delivers top-tier performance with a cutting-edge processor, rapid charging, an exceptional multimedia experience, and satisfactory cameras, the iQoo 11 5G is definitely worth considering. However, bear in mind that many other flagship smartphones from brands like OnePlus and Samsung will soon be available; thus, it may be prudent to wait a bit before finalizing your purchase.

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