iQOO Z9S Pro Review: Specs, Performance, and Value

The iQOO Z9S Pro is an intriguing addition to the mid-range smartphone market, designed to impress with its combination of aesthetics, performance, and features. In this detailed review, we’ll dive into the unboxing experience, design elements, technical specifications, and overall performance of the iQOO Z9S Pro, providing a comprehensive understanding of what this device has to offer.

Unboxing the iQOO Z9S Pro

When you first get your hands on the iQOO Z9S Pro, the unboxing experience sets the tone for what’s to come. The packaging is sleek, mirroring the premium nature of the phone itself. Inside the box, you’ll find the iQOO Z9S Pro smartphone, a transparent back cover, user manual, and an 80W fast charger that comes with a Type-A to Type-C cable. The inclusion of the transparent back cover is a thoughtful touch, ensuring you can protect your device from the get-go without compromising its aesthetics.

One notable thing is the difference in charger wattage between the iQOO Z9S Pro and the standard Z9S. The Pro model comes with an 80W fast charger, while the Z9S includes a 44W charger. This difference highlights the Pro model’s focus on delivering faster charging capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

The iQOO Z9S Pro stands out with its distinct design language. At first glance, the device exudes a premium feel, thanks to its vegan leather finish and meticulously crafted back panel. The unit reviewed here comes in the Flame Bunt Orange color, a vibrant and eye-catching shade that enhances the device’s visual appeal. There’s also a Lux Marble variant available, which features a marble-type pattern that’s equally impressive.

The back panel is made from polycarbonate material, but iQOO has ensured it doesn’t feel like a compromise. The finish is so refined that many might mistake it for glass. This thoughtful design ensures the device remains lightweight and comfortable to hold, weighing in at just 185 grams despite housing a 5,500mAh battery.

Key Design Highlights:

• Vegan leather back in Flame Bunt Orange or Lux Marble.
• Polycarbonate material that feels premium.
• Slim profile despite the large battery capacity.
• Dual stereo speakers with decent loudness.
• IP64 rating for dust and water resistance.

Display Quality

The iQOO Z9S Pro features a 6.7-inch curved display that offers an immersive viewing experience. The screen boasts a Full HD+ resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and a responsive touch experience.

This 10-bit color display supports HDR10, making it a great option for multimedia consumption. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or simply browsing, the display delivers vibrant colors and excellent brightness levels. On paper, the display has a peak brightness of 1,300 nits, which ensures visibility even under direct sunlight.

Display Specifications:

• 6.7-inch Full HD+ curved display.
• 120Hz refresh rate.
• 10-bit color with HDR10 support.
• 1300 nits peak brightness for outdoor visibility.
• Schott Sensation protection.

The in-display fingerprint scanner is quick and responsive, adding to the overall seamless user experience. Additionally, the Always-On Display feature can be customized, although it’s worth noting that it’s a tap-to-show type, meaning it only stays on for a short period unless interacted with.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the iQOO Z9S Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.1 storage. While some might have preferred UFS 3.0, the provided storage type still ensures fast data access and efficient multitasking. The phone scored an impressive 800,000 on the AnTuTu benchmark, making it a strong contender in its price range.

The device handles everyday tasks with ease, and even when it comes to gaming, the iQOO Z9S Pro doesn’t disappoint. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile and PUBG Mobile run smoothly, with support for 60fps gameplay on HDR settings. Additionally, there’s a Monster Mode for gaming, 4D vibration feedback, and motion control for a more immersive gaming experience.

Performance Overview:

• Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor.
• LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.1 storage.
• 800,000 AnTuTu benchmark score.
• Monster Mode for enhanced gaming performance.
• 4D vibration and motion control options.

Camera Performance

The iQOO Z9S Pro is equipped with a versatile camera setup that includes a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 16MP front-facing camera. The camera system is designed to capture a wide range of scenarios, from broad landscapes to detailed portraits.

Key Camera Features:

• 50MP main camera with impressive dynamic range.
• 8MP ultra-wide camera for capturing wider scenes.
• 16MP selfie camera with decent low-light performance.
• 2x digital zoom for portrait shots.

The camera performs well in various lighting conditions, balancing exposure and color accuracy effectively. The AI enhancements also help in automatically optimizing shots, making it easier to capture Instagram-worthy photos with minimal effort. However, photos in low light can be slightly on the softer side, which is something to keep in mind if night photography is important to you.

Video recording capabilities include 4K at 30fps with the rear camera and 1080p at 30fps with the selfie camera. The EIS stabilization works well for most scenarios, though there is some noticeable focus hunting, which could be improved with a software update.

Battery Life and Charging

The iQOO Z9S Pro comes with a 5,500mAh battery, which is slightly above the standard 5,000mAh capacity seen in many other devices. Despite the larger battery, the phone remains relatively slim and lightweight, making it comfortable for prolonged use.

With the 80W fast charging, the iQOO Z9S Pro can go from 0 to 100% in under an hour, ensuring that you spend less time tethered to a charger and more time using your device. This is especially beneficial for users who are always on the go.

Battery and Charging Specs:

• 5,500mAh battery for extended usage.
• 80W fast charging support.
• USB Type-C port.

Software and Features

The iQOO Z9S Pro runs on Android 14 with FunTouch OS 14 on top. This custom UI offers a range of features, including sidebars, split-screen multitasking, pop-up windows, and more. The interface is generally smooth, though it comes with some pre-installed applications that you may want to uninstall.

One of the standout features of the software is the native call recording function, which allows you to record calls without any announcement – a feature that many users will appreciate.

Moreover, the device comes with a 2-year OS update promise and 3 years of security updates, ensuring that it remains secure and up-to-date for an extended period.

Software Highlights:

• Android 14 with FunTouch OS 14.
• Native call recording without announcements.
• 2-year OS updates and 3-year security updates.
• Customizable Always-On Display.
• Sidebar, split-screen, and pop-up window support.

Connectivity and Other Features

The iQOO Z9S Pro is equipped with the necessary connectivity options to ensure a smooth experience, including 5G support with 85 bands, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.2. There’s also dual stereo speakers that offer decent sound quality, though they lack Dolby Atmos support.

Another noteworthy feature is the IP64 rating, providing protection against dust and light splashes of water. While it’s not fully waterproof, this added protection is a welcome feature for those concerned about accidental spills.

Connectivity and Additional Features:

• 5G support with 85 bands.
• Wi-Fi 6 for faster internet speeds.
• Bluetooth 5.2 for seamless device connectivity.
• Dual stereo speakers with good sound quality.
• IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance.

Price and Availability

The iQOO Z9S Pro is positioned as a premium mid-range smartphone, with prices starting at ₹19,999 for the base model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This price point makes it a compelling option for those looking for a feature-rich device without breaking the bank.

Price Breakdown:

• Base model (8GB RAM + 128GB storage): ₹19,999.
• Additional storage options may be available at a higher price.

Given the features and performance it offers, the iQOO Z9S Pro presents excellent value for money. The device is available for purchase online and through various retail outlets.

Conclusion: Is the iQOO Z9S Pro Worth It?

The iQOO Z9S Pro is a well-rounded smartphone that excels in several key areas, including design, display quality, performance, and battery life. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor ensures smooth operation, while the 80W fast charging and 5,500mAh battery offer excellent endurance.

For gamers, the Monster Mode, 4D vibration, and motion control provide an enhanced gaming experience. The camera setup, while not perfect, is versatile enough to handle most shooting conditions, making it a good choice for casual photography enthusiasts.

At a starting price of ₹19,999, the iQOO Z9S Pro is positioned as one of the best options in its segment, offering a balanced mix of features that cater to a wide range of users. Whether you’re a gamer, a photography enthusiast, or someone who simply wants a reliable daily driver, the iQOO Z9S Pro is a device that deserves serious consideration.

Key Takeaways:

• Premium design with a vegan leather back.
• 6.7-inch Full HD+ curved display with 120Hz refresh rate.
• Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor with 800,000 AnTuTu score.
• 50MP main camera with versatile shooting modes.
• 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging.
• IP64 rating for added durability.

In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a smartphone that offers a premium feel without the flagship price, the iQOO Z9S Pro is a top contender. Its combination of design, performance, and features makes it a device that stands out in the crowded mid-range segment, providing excellent value for money.

This detailed analysis is designed to help potential buyers understand what the iQOO Z9S Pro offers, highlighting its strengths while also pointing out areas where it could improve. Whether you’re upgrading from an older model or buying your first iQOO device, this phone has plenty to offer and is well worth considering.