The iQoo Z9x, a new addition to the Z-series, has finally arrived in India, aiming to capture the budget 5G smartphone market. Priced starting at Rs. 12,999, the Z9x promises a compelling package of features for the price. While it doesn’t scream "premium" with its plastic frame and rear panel, the Z9x boasts surprising features like an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, dual stereo speakers, and a 6,000mAh battery with 44W wired charging, making it one of the most practical budget 5G options. However, the Z9x relies on the older Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, and its camera setup might not be quite as impressive as the competition. But, at this price point, the Z9x’s focus remains on offering a smooth 5G experience. This begs the question: has iQoo struck a balance between price and performance, or is the Z9x just a rehash of budget 5G offerings we’ve seen before? Let’s dive in and explore what the iQoo Z9x has to offer.
Design and Display
The iQoo Z9x, in our Storm Grey review unit, doesn’t really stand out in the looks department. The phone’s frame and rear panel are made out of plastic, with a glass display screen. It boasts flat sides and a flat rear panel, reminiscent of the Redmi 13C 5G. The camera module, however, is a bit of a design mashup, borrowing elements from the iQoo Neo 9 Pro and the premium iQoo 12. The 6.72-inch full-HD+ LCD display, with its thin bezels, offers a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate, promising a smooth and responsive user experience, especially for gaming.
While the overall design isn’t anything groundbreaking, the Z9x makes a strong statement with its IP64 rating, a welcome feature in a budget phone. It also includes dual stereo speakers, which should enhance the audio experience during gaming or video streaming. The display’s 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate should translate to a smoother, more responsive user experience when scrolling through menus or playing games. However, the LCD panel’s color accuracy and brightness are still yet to be tested.
Cameras
Camera performance has been a recurring weakness in budget 5G phones. The iQoo Z9x, in this regard, is no different. It features a single user-accessible rear camera: a 50-megapixel primary sensor. However, it’s accompanied by a 2-megapixel depth sensor meant for portrait mode. This configuration suggests that the Z9x is focusing on providing a basic camera experience, rather than delivering high-end image quality.
Selfie duties are handled by an 8-megapixel front-facing camera, which might struggle in low-light conditions. While the Z9x’s camera setup shows a commitment to affordability, it’s worth noting that some other budget 5G phones in the same price range offer improved camera specifications, potentially affecting its appeal to photo-enthusiasts.
Software and Performance
The iQoo Z9x runs iQoo’s Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14, promising a smooth, bloatware-free experience. The device is powered by the familiar Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, which was launched back in 2022 and is known for handling basic tasks with no issues. While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a capable processor for lighter tasks and everyday use, it might struggle with demanding games and apps, especially in the long run. The performance is also affected by the RAM variants. The base model comes with 4GB of RAM, which might be too low for some users, while the higher-end variants with 6GB and 8GB of RAM offer better multitasking capabilities.
The Z9x comes with 128GB of storage, which is plenty of space for most users, and while it is expandable via microSD card, this can often be a compromise in performance. The software experience will be a key factor in determining the Z9x’s appeal, so we will need to conduct in-depth testing to see just how well it performs day to day.
Battery and Charging
The iQoo Z9x packs a 6,000mAh battery, a significant promise for longevity. This large capacity is often expected in budget phones. But, unlike some in its league, the Z9x pleasantly delivers 44W wired charging, a feature that’s not always found in this price bracket.
The inclusion of a fast charger in the box is another big plus, making the Z9x a better value proposition. In an age of increasingly expensive smartphones, removing chargers from the box has become a common trend, forcing consumers to spend extra. The combination of a large battery and fast charging ensures that users can spend less time plugged in and more time enjoying their device.
Pricing and Availability
The iQoo Z9x is available in India in three RAM and storage configurations:
- 4GB + 128GB: Rs. 12,999
- 6GB + 128GB: Rs. 14,499
- 8GB + 128GB: Rs. 15,999
At this price range, the Z9x stands out with its 5G capabilities, IP64 rating, and 44W wired charging. It competes directly with other budget 5G smartphones like the Redmi 13C 5G, Realme Narzo 50 Pro, and the Moto G73 5G. The Z9x’s pricing is compelling, as it delivers features that are usually found in higher-priced smartphones.
Final Thoughts: A Strong Budget Contender?
The iQoo Z9x has a lot to offer at its price point. The IP64 rating, dual stereo speakers, 6,000mAh battery, and 44W wired charging are features that are often found in more expensive devices, setting the Z9x apart from the competition. However, the Z9x doesn’t innovate in any truly groundbreaking ways. Its design is uninspiring. While the camera setup is sufficient for basic photography, we expect it to be outperformed by other budget 5G options. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor, while capable of handling everyday tasks, isn’t the most powerful processor available, and the performance of the base variant with just 4GB of RAM might not be enough for some users.
The true test of the iQoo Z9x’s worth will lie in how efficiently the software optimizes to give smooth performance, how the day-to-day camera performance holds up, and how it holds up against the real world demands of an average user. Overall, the iQoo Z9x certainly boasts a strong value proposition for the budget-minded consumer looking for a well-equipped and feature-rich 5G phone. To truly assess its worth, we need to wait for the detailed review and understand how the iQoo Z9x performs in the long run.
