iQOO Z9s 5G: Gone are the days when budget phones meant flat screens and plastic bodies. The Z9s rocks a gorgeous 6.77-inch curved AMOLED that feels proper premium in the hand. Not that cheap-looking curve either – we’re talking about a gentle 3D arc that actually enhances the ergonomics rather than just serving as a marketing bullet point.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes everything from doomscrolling Twitter to intense gaming sessions feel silky smooth, while the 1800 nits peak brightness means you won’t be squinting like a mole when you step outside. Colors pop without looking radioactive, and the display even supports 10-bit color depth – kinda ridiculous for a phone at this price point.
iQOO Z9s 5G Dimensity 7300 – The Little Chip That Could
MediaTek’s been on a serious roll lately, and the Dimensity 7300 powering the Z9s is proof they’re no longer playing second fiddle to Qualcomm. Built on a 4nm process, this octa-core setup with four 2.5GHz Cortex-A78 performance cores and four 2.0GHz efficiency cores handles pretty much anything you throw at it without breaking a sweat.
Day-to-day performance feels snappy as hell – apps open instantly, switching between them is lightning quick, and I haven’t noticed any significant lag even with dozens of apps running in background. Gaming performance impressed me too – Genshin Impact runs at a stable 60fps with medium settings, and less demanding titles absolutely fly with max graphics.
Camera System That Actually Makes Sense
Look, we all know the drill with budget phones – they slap on a bunch of useless 2MP macro and depth sensors just to claim “quad camera” status. iQOO deserves credit for not playing that stupid game. The Z9s gives you a legitimately good 50MP Sony IMX882 main shooter with proper OIS, paired with just one 2MP depth sensor that… well, exists.
What matters is that main camera delivers where it counts. Daytime shots show excellent detail and natural colors that don’t look over-processed. Low-light performance won’t make iPhone users jealous, but it’s surprisingly decent. The OIS makes a massive difference, especially for video where the phone can shoot 4K footage that doesn’t look like it was filmed during an earthquake.
Battery Life That Just Won’t Die
Battery anxiety is the worst, but the Z9s’s massive 5500mAh cell means you probably won’t experience it often. What’s genuinely impressive is how they’ve managed to cram such a big battery into a frame that’s just 7.49mm thick. Most phones packing cells this size feel like actual bricks.
The 44W FlashCharge isn’t the fastest around, but it’s plenty quick enough – you’ll get from empty to 50% in about 30 minutes. There’s even reverse charging capability for those clutch moments when your buddy’s phone dies and you need to share some juice.
Design That Punches Above Its Weight
Available in Onyx Green and Titanium Matte colorways, the Z9s looks and feels more expensive than its price tag suggests. That Onyx Green version is particularly striking – it has these subtle marble-like patterns that catch the light in interesting ways. The titanium variant offers a more understated vibe if flashy ain’t your thing.
At 180 grams, it’s got enough heft to feel substantial without weighing down your pocket. The IP64 rating means it’ll survive dust and rain splashes – not full waterproofing, but enough protection for everyday accidents. Small touches like the satisfying haptic feedback further reinforce the premium feel.
Software That Won’t Make You Hate Your Phone
Funtouch OS 14 (based on Android 14) has come a long way from the clunky, bloatware-filled nightmare of earlier versions. The UI feels smooth and responsive, with animations that don’t stutter or lag. Bloatware still exists but isn’t overwhelming, and most of it can be uninstalled.
The promise of two major Android upgrades means you’ll at least get Android 16 eventually. Not the best update policy around, but better than many budget offerings that are essentially abandoned after launch. The included AI features aren’t revolutionary but add some genuinely useful functionality for photo editing and day-to-day tasks.
iQOO Z9s 5G Pricing That’ll Make You Question Reality
Starting at just ₹18,999 for the 8GB/128GB model, the iQOO Z9s delivers absurd value. Even the maxed-out 12GB/256GB variant stays comfortably under ₹23,000, which is frankly ridiculous given the feature set.
When you consider everything you’re getting – premium design, gorgeous curved display, capable camera with OIS, solid performance, and massive battery – all wrapped in a sleek package, it becomes really damn hard to justify spending more unless you’ve got very specific needs or just enjoy burning money.
For most folks seeking a capable mid-range phone that doesn’t feel like a compromise, the iQOO Z9s makes a compelling case as perhaps the best value proposition in the current smartphone market. It won’t dethrone true flagships in benchmark charts or camera shootouts, but it delivers where it counts for daily use while leaving a lot more cash in your wallet for, y’know, actual life.