The iQoo 9 Pro: A Flagship Contender With Gimbal-Stabilized Cameras and 120W Charging
iQoo is making a serious play for the premium smartphone market. After the success of their iQoo 3, Z3, and iQoo 7 series in India, the company has launched the iQoo 9 Pro, a device aimed at competing directly with the top flagships from OnePlus, Samsung, and Apple. The iQoo 9 Pro boasts impressive specs, including the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 120W fast charging, and a gimbal-stabilized primary camera. But is it enough to make the iQoo 9 Pro a truly compelling choice? Let’s dive into the details.
Price and Availability
The iQoo 9 Pro is available in India in two variants and two finishes:
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs. 64,990
- 12GB RAM + 256GB storage: Rs. 69,990
Both variants come in Legend (white) and Dark Cruise (black) finishes.
Design
The iQoo 9 Pro features a sleek design with a metal frame sandwiched between two sheets of glass. The rear panel boasts a BMW Motorsport-inspired racing stripe, resembling the design of the iQoo 7 Legend. The power button is also finished in blue, adding to the sporty aesthetic. The rear glass sports a dual-tone finish, with the white portion featuring a matte finish that resists fingerprints but can be quite slippery. Thankfully, iQoo includes a color-matched case in the box.
The camera module on the back is slightly raised but blends seamlessly with the overall design. The display is encased in Panda glass and features curved edges, giving the phone a slim profile. The bezels are minimal, with a near-invisible earpiece slit. The iQoo 9 Pro feels premium and well-constructed in hand.
Specifications and Software
The iQoo 9 Pro packs some powerful hardware:
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- GPU: Adreno 730
- RAM: 8GB/12GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Display: 6.78-inch, 2K+ (1440×3200 pixels) AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, LTPO panel, HDR10+, 300Hz touch sampling rate
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou
- Battery: 4,700mAh
- Charging: 120W fast charging, 50W wireless charging (proprietary charger)
- Camera:
- Rear: 50-megapixel primary camera (with gimbal stabilization), 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera (with autofocus), 16-megapixel telephoto camera (with OIS and PDAF)
- Front: 16-megapixel
- Operating System: Funtouch OS 12 (based on Android 12)
One notable addition is the Intelligent Display Chip (IDC), which is designed to enhance gaming performance by boosting colours and framerates. The iQoo 9 Pro also comes preloaded with Funtouch OS 12, which features a clean and customizable interface with support for the Material You themes from Android 12.
While there are some pre-installed third-party apps, they can be uninstalled. However, some users may find the push notifications from the default browser to be annoying.
Performance and Battery Life
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC delivers top-notch performance, effortlessly handling demanding tasks and games. Benchmark scores are excellent, with the iQoo 9 Pro surpassing devices with the Snapdragon 888 SoC. The phone stayed cool during normal usage and only got slightly warm under heavy gaming loads.
The 120Hz refresh rate display is vibrant and smooth, with excellent colour accuracy. The LTPO panel helps to extend battery life by dynamically adjusting the refresh rate to 10Hz when needed. The 3D ultrasonic fingerprint reader is fast and responsive, offering a larger registration area than most other smartphones.
Gaming performance is phenomenal, with the phone delivering high frame rates without any noticeable lag. The 300Hz touch sampling rate ensures precise touch response in fast-paced games. The 4D Game Vibration feature can be distracting for some, but the iQoo Gamepad (sold separately) offers an excellent alternative with physical buttons for an immersive gaming experience.
The 4,700mAh battery provides excellent endurance, easily lasting a full day even with heavy usage. The 120W fast charging is incredibly fast, charging the phone from 0 to 100 percent in just 20 minutes. This is a significant advantage compared to most flagships on the market. It also supports 50W wireless charging, although this requires a separate proprietary charger.
Cameras
The iQoo 9 Pro features a triple camera setup on the back:
- 50-megapixel primary camera: This is the star of the show, featuring gimbal-level stabilization for smooth and steady videos.
- 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera: This camera offers autofocus and wide-angle capabilities for capturing expansive landscapes or group photos.
- 16-megapixel telephoto camera: This camera provides 2.5x optical zoom with OIS and PDAF, allowing for better detail when capturing distant subjects.
The selfie camera also performs well, delivering sharp and detailed photos. However, the Portrait mode can struggle with edge detection in complex scenes, resulting in a halo-like effect around the subject.
Daylight camera performance is excellent. The iQoo 9 Pro captures vibrant, detailed photos with good dynamic range across all three lenses. Night mode enhances low-light performance, delivering brighter and clearer images with more detail.
Video quality in daylight is impressive, producing smooth and steady footage with excellent detail. Low-light video performance is slightly hampered by noise, but the gimbal stabilization ensures smooth footage even when moving.
Verdict
The iQoo 9 Pro offers a compelling package for users seeking a premium smartphone experience with top-notch performance, exceptional camera capabilities, and incredibly fast charging. Its key advantages include:
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC: Delivers flagship-level performance.
- 120W Fast Charging: Charges the phone remarkably fast in just 20 minutes.
- Gimbal-Stabilized Primary Camera: Offers exceptional image and video stabilization.
- Large Battery: Provides excellent battery life throughout the day.
However, there are some drawbacks that users should consider:
- No Official IP Rating: The lack of an IP rating is a significant omission, especially at this price point.
- Software Bloatware: Some pre-installed third-party apps might not be desirable for all users.
- Wireless Charging Requires a Proprietary Charger: Users will need to purchase a separate wireless charger to utilize this feature.
Despite these minor setbacks, the iQoo 9 Pro stands out as a strong contender in the premium smartphone market. It provides powerful performance, exceptional cameras, and fast charging capabilities. If you are looking for a powerful flagship with a unique camera system and fast charging, the iQoo 9 Pro is an excellent choice. However, if you prioritize an IP rating or a completely bloatware-free experience, you might want to consider other options.
With the anticipated launch of the OnePlus 10 Pro later this month, the competition in the premium segment will become even more intense.
