The iQOO Z9s Pro is a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market, bringing several premium features to the table. Here’s a detailed review covering its design, performance, camera, battery life, and more.
Design and Build
The iQOO Z9s Pro sports a sleek design with a glass back and metal frame, giving it a premium feel. It’s relatively thin and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. The phone is available in several attractive colors, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints.
Display
The device features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution (2400 x 1080 pixels). The screen is vibrant, with excellent color accuracy and deep blacks, making it ideal for media consumption. The high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and an enhanced gaming experience. Additionally, the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, adding durability.
Performance
Under the hood, the iQOO Z9s Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, coupled with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This configuration ensures top-tier performance, handling demanding tasks like gaming, multitasking, and video editing with ease. The device also supports 5G connectivity, future-proofing it for the next generation of mobile networks.
Software
The phone runs on iQOO’s custom UI based on Android 13. The interface is clean and user-friendly, with minimal bloatware. The software is optimized for smooth performance and offers several customization options, including a dark mode, themes, and gesture controls.
Camera
The iQOO Z9s Pro features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 64MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. The camera delivers sharp, detailed images in good lighting conditions, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The ultra-wide lens is handy for capturing landscapes or group shots, though it can sometimes introduce distortion at the edges. The macro camera is decent but not exceptional.
In low-light conditions, the primary camera performs well, thanks to its large aperture and night mode, which enhances details and reduces noise. The 16MP front camera is capable of capturing sharp and vibrant selfies, with a variety of beauty modes and filters to choose from.
Battery Life
The iQOO Z9s Pro packs a 4,700mAh battery, which comfortably lasts a full day of moderate to heavy use. The phone supports 66W fast charging, which can charge the battery from 0 to 100% in just under 45 minutes. This is a significant advantage for users who are always on the go and need their device charged quickly.
Gaming and Audio
With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and Adreno 730 GPU, the iQOO Z9s Pro is a beast when it comes to gaming. It handles graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact with ease, maintaining high frame rates even during extended gaming sessions. The phone also features a liquid cooling system, which helps to keep temperatures in check during heavy usage.
The stereo speakers on the iQOO Z9s Pro provide clear and loud audio, with a decent amount of bass. While not the best in its class, the audio experience is more than adequate for gaming, movies, and music.
Connectivity and Extras
The phone supports dual 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC, ensuring you stay connected with the latest technology. It also includes an in-display fingerprint sensor, which is fast and accurate, along with face unlock for added security.
Verdict
The iQOO Z9s Pro is a solid choice for those looking for a high-performance smartphone with a good display, fast charging, and a decent camera setup. It particularly shines in gaming and media consumption, thanks to its powerful hardware and vibrant display. However, those looking for the absolute best camera performance in this price range might find better alternatives.
Overall, the iQOO Z9s Pro offers excellent value for money, making it a strong contender in the mid-range segment.
