iQOO Z9s Pro Review

The iQOO Z9s Pro is a mid-range smartphone that aims to deliver a flagship-like experience at a more affordable price. With its sleek design, impressive display, and strong performance, this phone has a lot to offer for users looking for a well-balanced device. Whether you’re into photography, gaming, or just need a reliable everyday phone, the iQOO Z9s Pro promises to meet your needs without breaking the bank.

In this detailed review, we’ll explore the key features and performance of the iQOO Z9s Pro to help you decide if it’s the right choice for you.

iQOO Z9s Pro – Design and Build Quality

The iQOO Z9s Pro brings a design that feels very premium, almost like a flagship phone. The curved design of the phone, along with the oval-shaped camera island at the back, gives it a unique look. The Luxe Marble variant of the phone is particularly attractive and feels very high-end when you hold it in your hand. However, the back panel tends to pick up fingerprints easily, so it might require regular cleaning to keep it looking fresh.

In terms of weight, the phone is quite manageable at 185 grams, which balances well in the hand. The overall build quality is sturdy, making the phone feel durable. It’s a device that you won’t be worried about when using it daily.

iQOO Z9s Pro – Display Quality

The iQOO Z9s Pro is equipped with a 6.77-inch curved AMOLED display that offers a Full HD+ resolution. The screen is not just large but also very sharp and vivid, making everything from watching videos to playing games a pleasure. The display’s peak brightness of 4,500 nits is one of the highest you can find in a smartphone, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight.

The curved edges of the screen add to the immersive experience, though some might find accidental touches an issue. The colors are vibrant, and the contrast levels are impressive, giving you deep blacks and bright whites. The optical in-display fingerprint sensor is another highlight, as it’s fast and accurate, making unlocking the phone quick and easy.

Camera Performance

The iQOO Z9s Pro features a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50 MP primary camera and an 8 MP ultra-wide-angle camera. This camera setup might seem modest compared to some of the competition, but it delivers where it counts. The primary camera captures detailed and true-to-life images. The fast shutter speed ensures that you don’t miss any moments, even when photographing moving subjects. This is a big plus for users who often take pictures on the go.

In terms of video recording, the phone supports up to 4K resolution. However, the ultra-stabilization feature is limited to 1080p, which might be a drawback for some users who want the highest quality with stability. Still, the difference in shooting modes isn’t very noticeable unless you are really paying attention. The ultra-wide camera does a decent job, though the results can be slightly less detailed compared to the main camera.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the iQOO Z9s Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor. While this isn’t the most powerful chip on the market, it performs admirably in this price range. The phone scores over 800,000 on the AnTuTu benchmark, indicating strong performance for everyday tasks as well as gaming.

The processor is paired with up to 12 GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking. During my testing, whether I was browsing the web, using social media apps, or playing games like Call of Duty: Mobile, the phone handled everything without a hitch. Importantly, the device didn’t heat up significantly, even during extended gaming sessions. This makes it a good choice for users who spend a lot of time on their phones.

Software Experience

The iQOO Z9s Pro runs on FunTouchOS, which is based on Android 14. While FunTouchOS has been criticized in the past for being cluttered, it has improved significantly over time. The software is well-optimized, and I encountered very little lag or stuttering during my time with the device. There is some bloatware pre-installed, but most of it can be removed if not needed.

One of the standout features of the software is the new AI enhancements. The AI Photo Enhance and AI Eraser tools are particularly useful. They allow you to improve your photos by enhancing details or removing unwanted objects with just a few taps. These features require an active internet connection and are fairly reliable, though the results can vary depending on the image.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is one of the strong points of the iQOO Z9s Pro. The phone packs a large 5,500 mAh battery, which easily lasts over a day with regular use. Even for heavy users, the phone manages to deliver over six hours of screen-on time, which is impressive. Whether you’re streaming videos, gaming, or using social media apps, you won’t need to worry about running out of juice halfway through the day.

The phone also supports 80W fast charging, which is a lifesaver when you need to quickly top up your battery. In my experience, the phone charges from 0 to 100% in under 50 minutes, which is great for users who are always on the go.

Final Verdict

The iQOO Z9s Pro is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that excels in several key areas. Its design and build quality are top-notch, closely resembling more expensive flagship phones. The display is one of the best you can get in this price range, offering excellent brightness and clarity. The cameras perform well, especially the primary camera, which captures detailed and sharp images.

Performance-wise, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor ensures that the phone runs smoothly, whether you’re multitasking or playing games. The battery life is outstanding, and the fast charging feature is a major plus.

Overall, the iQOO Z9s Pro offers a balanced experience that caters to a wide range of users, from casual users to gamers and photography enthusiasts. If you’re looking for a reliable smartphone under Rs 30,000, the iQOO Z9s Pro is definitely worth considering. However, if you need more raw performance, you might want to look at alternatives like the Poco F6 or the OnePlus Nord 4.