New iQOO Z9s Pro: Premium Features Without the Premium Price Tag

iQOO has rolled out an upgrade to its Z-series by releasing two new smartphones in India: the iQOO Z9s Pro and the iQOO Z9s. Each device is packed with an impressive range of features and specifications. The iQOO Z9s targets the competitive market below Rs 20,000, whereas the Pro version is positioned against competitors like the Realme 13 Pro+, OnePlus Nord 4, Nothing Phone 2a Plus, among others. The iQOO Z9s Pro is priced at Rs 24,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB model, Rs 26,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB variant, and Rs 28,999 for the 12GB RAM + 256GB option.

The newest addition to the iQOO lineup has several enticing features. With its high-end design, enhanced cameras, and satisfactory specifications, the Pro model stands as a strong contender. But does it have the capability to stand out in the market? Let’s delve into this comprehensive review.

iQOO Z9s Pro Design: Slim and Elegant

• Dimensions — 163.72 x 75 x 7.49mm
• Weight — 190g
• Colours — Flamboyant Orange and Luxe Marble

The latest iQOO smartphone adopts a design style similar to that found in the Neo series and its flagship models. The company has made efforts to refine and elevate the experience for users. The phone is available in two attractive finishes: the Flamboyant Orange features a leather texture on the back, while the Luxe Marble boasts a glass finish with unique textures. I had the opportunity to test both versions and found the Luxe Marble to be considerably more premium than the leather option.

The smartphone comes in two colours: Orange featuring a leather finish and Lux Marble with a glass finish.

 

In terms of aesthetics, this iQOO device stands out as one of the slimmest phones in its price category, measuring just 7.49mm thick. The front sports a curved display that provides a seamless, bezel-less experience, and users will not encounter sharp edges, a common issue found in other curved models.

The positioning of buttons could have been improved; reaching for the volume controls requires some effort. The phone includes some screen protection, although not branded by Corning. On a positive note, it has an IP64 rating, ensuring that it is resistant to dust and splashes. Overall, the design quality has certainly advanced, making it one of the most visually appealing smartphones under Rs 30,000.

iQOO Z9s Pro Display: Excellent for Outdoor Viewing

• Display — 6.77-inch Full HD+ curved AMOLED display
• Refresh Rate — 120Hz
• Additional Features — 2160Hz PWM Dimming, 100% P3 colour gamut, Scott Xensation Glass protection, HDR10+, peak brightness of 4,500nits

When it comes to the display, the iQOO Z9s Pro 5G has a stunning curved AMOLED screen that offers an immersive, bezel-less experience. Thanks to the curved design, accidental touches are minimized, which is often a concern with such displays.

The iQOO Z9s Pro features a curved AMOLED display that showcases vibrant colours.

 

The display provides sharp visuals and rich colours, with excellent viewing angles and good outdoor visibility, reaching up to 4,500 nits of peak brightness. Users can choose from three colour modes to personalize the display: Standard, Professional, and Bright.

The Professional setting offers enhanced saturation, while the Bright mode adds a touch more vibrancy compared to the Standard option. The phone is equipped with a dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, making scrolling fluid and effortless.

Additionally, the device features an in-display fingerprint sensor that operates swiftly and reliably. It also has stereo speakers that deliver decent sound quality, although at maximum volume, some distortion can be heard.

iQOO Z9s Pro Software: Heavy on Bloatware

• Software — FunTouch OS 14
• Version — Android 14
• Updates Promised — 2 Years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches

The user interface isn’t the strongest element of iQOO devices, and this one is no exception. It runs on Android 14 with FunTouch OS 14 layered on top. While the interface does offer customization options and a smooth experience, there are moments when it experiences slight lag.

The device promises two years of Android updates and three years of security patches.

 

One issue is the amount of pre-installed bloatware, most of which can be removed. There are also ads via Hot Games and Hot Apps promoting various applications and games. Additionally, the V-Appstore sends frequent notifications about new apps and games.

Unfortunately, these cannot be uninstalled, but they can be disabled to prevent spam notifications. Furthermore, the company claims it will provide two years of OS updates and three years of security patches, whereas rival devices typically offer at least three years of Android updates and four years of security patches.

iQOO Z9s Pro Performance: Great Value

• Processor — Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
• Memory — Up to 12GB
• Storage — Up to 512GB

The pricing of the iQOO Z9s Pro is commendable, making it one of the most affordable smartphones currently on the market equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset. Competing devices featuring this chipset generally retail between Rs 30,000 and Rs 35,000.

The iQOO Z9s Pro features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, ensuring robust performance.

 

This positions it as one of the leading choices within its price bracket. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is a capable chip that delivers solid performance for daily tasks. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or switching between applications like Slack, WhatsApp, and Chrome, this phone handles it all without any hiccups. I’ve also summarized benchmark results below.

Benchmark	iQOO Z9s Pro	Honor 200	Motorola Edge 50 Pro	Realme GT 6T
Geekbench 6 Single Core	1136	1145	1142	1843
Geekbench 6 Multi Core	3091	3304	3124	4756
AnTuTu v10	814328	821670	818387	1462980
PCMark Work 3.0	10460	12723	13730	19517
3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out	Maxed Out
3DM Slingshot	8255	Maxed Out	8393	Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life	5287	5917	5394	Maxed Out
3DM Wild Life Unlimited	5428	6043	5457	11481
GFXBench T-Rex	119	60	116	60
GFXBench Manhattan 3.1	74	59	61	60
GFXBench Car Chase	40	38	32	60

In terms of gaming capabilities, the device can handle most demanding titles with ease. I played Call of Duty: Mobile on the device at Very High graphics settings and maximum frame rates without experiencing any lagging or stuttering. However, it did get slightly warm around the camera area, but it wasn’t a cause for concern.

iQOO Z9s Pro Cameras: Excellent Quality

• Rear — 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 sensor with f/1.79 aperture + 8-megapixel Ultra-Wide Camera
• Front — 16-megapixel sensor with f/2.4 aperture

The camera system is undoubtedly one of the standout features of the iQOO Z9s Pro. The brand has incorporated advanced cameras into its Z-series, translating to superior performance. The cameras perform consistently well in various lighting conditions. In daylight, images are sharp, and the dynamic range is impressive. Portraits captured by the iQOO Z9s Pro are also of high quality. Low-light performance is commendable as well, yielding detailed images. For a more detailed exploration of the iQOO Z9s Pro’s camera capabilities, you can click here.

iQOO Z9s Pro Battery: Satisfactory Longevity

• Battery Capacity — 5,500mAh
• Wired Charging — 80W Fast Charging
• Charger — 80W (Included in Box)

The iQOO Z9s Pro sports an impressive 5,500mAh battery, surpassing the capacities of the OnePlus Nord 4, Motorola Edge 50, Nothing Phone 2a Plus, Honor 200, and several others. This provides excellent battery endurance when compared to other models. With light to moderate usage, you can achieve up to 2 days of battery life. Even with intensive use, including streaming content, scrolling through social media, and checking emails, you will still enjoy a full day’s use.

The smartphone features a 5,500mAh battery and supports rapid 80W charging.

 

In the HD battery loop test, the device lasted an impressive 26 hours and 42 minutes. Charging times are also quite favorable. Using the provided 80W fast charger, the phone reached 33% in 15 minutes, 57% in 30 minutes, and was fully charged in just 52 minutes.

iQOO Z9s Pro Conclusion

The iQOO Z9s Pro strikes a commendable balance of style, functionality, and features. With a luxurious design and a captivating display that excels outdoors, it stands out positively. The battery life impresses, as do the camera capabilities. Performance remains a strong area, ensuring users will find satisfaction here. Nevertheless, it is not without its shortcomings; the presence of bloatware is frustrating, and the offered Android upgrades appear lower than what competitors provide.

Regarding competition, the iQOO Z9s Pro will vie with the OnePlus Nord 4 (Review), Realme GT 6T (Review), Poco F6 (Review), Realme 13 Pro+ (Review), Nothing Phone 2a (Review), and more. Therefore, if you’re in search of a sleek mid-range smartphone featuring both style and robust performance, the iQOO Z9s Pro is worth considering.