The Ultimate Guide to IQOO 11 5G: Specs, Features, and Price

The iQOO 11 5G, is the first flagship Android smartphone of 2023. It succeeds last year’s iQOO 9T and boasts of being the world’s fastest Android phone, thanks to the inclusion of Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. Additionally, the iQOO 11 5G is equipped with high-end hardware, including a 2K AMOLED display, a 50-megapixel primary camera, and support for 120W fast charging.

The iQOO 11 5G has two versions. The entry-level model comes with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage, priced at ₹54,990. The model we are reviewing, which comes with 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, costs ₹59,990

Design and Build Quality

The iQOO 11 has a design that is similar to its predecessor models. For instance, the Legend version of the iQOO 11 features a white finish and racing stripes pattern, which were present in the iQOO 9 series. However, I received the Alpha version, which has a sparkling dark grey matte finish and looks premium. The front of the phone is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, while the back has standard AG glass. The phone’s weight distribution and build quality are excellent, thanks in part to the large 4,013mm² vapour chamber inside the device.

Although there is no headphone jack, the iQOO 11 does come with a set of stereo speakers. The fingerprint sensor is of the in-display variety, and the power button and volume rocker are on the phone’s right side. The triple-camera layout on the back slightly protrudes from the chassis and is similar to some past Vivo phones. Overall, the iQOO 11 has a sturdy construction, catches the eye, and is well-built.

Display Quality

The iQoo 11 5G boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 2K resolution that delivers vivid colours and deep blacks, making for an excellent viewing experience. Additional features, such as up to 1800 nits of peak brightness for outdoor use under sunlight, support for WideVine L1, and HDR10 content support in apps like Netflix, enhance the multimedia experience.

However, the bezel around the chin is slightly thicker than other bezels, and there is a hole-punch cut out at the top for the front camera. The display is also protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus, making it more resistant to scratches or shattering from accidental drops.

The iQoo 11 5G’s display automatically switches between 1Hz and 144Hz, depending on the on-screen content, and offers three refresh rate settings: Standard (60Hz), High (up to 144Hz), and Smart Switch, which adjusts the refresh rate based on the system power consumption and actual usage scenario. However, there were a few stutters in the UI on a few apps such as Twitter and Instagram, indicating pending optimizations for running apps at 144Hz. Nonetheless, in my experience, most apps ran at 120Hz.

There is also smart refresh rate feature that optimizes power consumption by refreshing only the necessary parts of the display. For instance, while scrolling through the comments section of a YouTube video, the display refreshes at a higher rate compared to the part of the screen playing the video. This also helps in reducing power consumption. Another exciting feature of the display is the Monster Touch, which lets you use specific parts of the screen as extra in-game buttons for certain games.

Performance and Battery Life

The iQOO 11 5G’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC is a powerful processor and provides a smooth experience while gaming and performing daily tasks. The phone can run Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9 Legends without any lag or overheating.

The device has a feature called frame rate interpolation that adds extra frames to games that do not support it. The Ultra Game mode allows users to switch between Battery Saver, Balanced and Monster power modes. The iQOO 11 5G also performed well in benchmark tests, scoring 12,63,366 points on AnTuTu, which is a bit less than the claimed score, but still impressive.

The device also lasted around six hours of screen-on time and 20 hours, 59 minutes in the HD video loop test.

The 120W fast charger can charge the battery from 1-100 percent in just 23 minutes, which is a couple of minutes faster than the claimed time.

Camera Quality

iQOO has not neglected the camera capabilities of its smartphone, as it features a 50MP primary shooter with a Samsung ISOCELL GN5 sensor, a 13MP telephoto lens with 2X optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide shooter. The foggy weather conditions in Delhi made it difficult to evaluate the dynamic range, but the camera appeared to perform well in various indoor and outdoor shooting scenarios.

However, the colours produced by the sensor can appear oversaturated, with reds turning into bright maroon and greens becoming more intense. Nonetheless, the camera captures excellent details and maintains a good exposure balance. The auto HDR function also provides more illumination to the darker parts of the frame. The primary sensor has a quick autofocus and shutter speed.

The 8MP ultra-wide sensor keeps colours neutral and reduces edge warping, but images can appear softer across the frame. The 2X telephoto shooter produces varying results in low light due to its smaller sensor size. The ultra-wide sensor is generally good, but the telephoto lens could be better.

The phone’s low-light capabilities have improved from the previous iQOO 9 model, with toned-down saturation levels and more natural tones. The OIS effectively reduces shaking, but achieving proper focus can be challenging in low ambient lighting. However, the Night mode produces pleasing shots in most conditions. The 16MP selfie shooter captures highly detailed images with accurate skin tones.

Price and Availability

The iQOO 11 5G is available in select markets and is priced competitively compared to other flagship smartphones. The 8GB RAM/128GB storage model is priced at around ₹54,990, while the 12GB RAM/256GB storage model is priced at around ₹59,990.

Verdict

The iQOO 11 5G is a great Android flagship smartphone that sets the standard for 2023. Although design is subjective, we liked the faux-leather back of the Legend edition, but wished for more colour options. The phone features a great display, solid performance, strong battery life, and includes a 120W charger in the box. It is also expected to receive three major Android updates. However, Funtouch OS needs to reduce spammy notifications from its own apps and that the lack of wireless charging and IP rating are drawbacks.

The primary camera is good and has some useful features, but the ultra-wide camera could have been better for a phone at this price point. The iQOO 9 Pro has a better camera setup and is also cheaper, making it a good alternative. However, if you prioritize performance, fast charging, multimedia experience, and good cameras, the iQOO 11 5G is a great option. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that other Android flagships from OnePlus, Samsung and other brands are also launching soon, so it might be wise to wait before making a purchase decision.

FAQs

1. Does it support 5G connectivity?

• Yes, it supports 5G connectivity.

2. What is the battery capacity?

• It comes with a 4,000mAh battery.

3. Does the iQOO 11 5G support fast charging?

• Yes, the iQOO 11 5G supports 55W fast charging.

5. What are the color options available for the iQOO 11 5G?

• The iQOO 11 5G is available in Cosmic Black and Starry Blue color options.