iQoo launched the Neo 9 Pro in February, followed by the more affordable
The iQoo Z9 captures detailed images when there’s enough natural light
There’s only one usable rear camera on the iQoo Z9, which performs reliably during the day. However, if you’re looking to capture images in low-light conditions, you’re better off using the built-in night mode. If your subject isn’t moving, the night mode can deliver far better shots than the default mode, reducing the amount of noise and artefacts without too much softening.
As there’s no ultra-wide-angle camera, I found myself stepping backwards to click images of large subjects that were close to me, such as buildings. This is not a problem in most scenarios but can make clicking some photos tricky. Unlike similar phones in this price segment, the iQoo Z9 is not equipped with a macro camera for close-up shots.
The built-in night mode does a good job in low-light scenarios
The primary camera also includes a 50-megapixel mode that takes images rather quickly while delivering images with a higher resolution than the standard mode. This mode is best used on subjects that are nearby and results in images that have more detail and a slightly larger file size.
Selfies taken on the iQoo Z9 are clear and look good when there’s enough lighting, which means that you should be fine if you click images of yourself during the day. In low-light conditions, selfies captured by the handset contain some noise, and images aren’t as sharp as the phone tends to smoothen these images.
The 50-megapixel mode offers slightly better detail for subjects that are nearby
The iQoo Z9’s video performance is on par with other smartphones in this price segment. You can record 1080p videos at 60fps and 30fps, while 4K videos can be recorded at 30fps. It’s worth noting that the 1080p/60fps mode offers better video stabilisation compared to the 4K option, which was a worthy trade-off, in my opinion.
iQoo Z9 Review: Verdict
If you’re looking for an affordable mid-range smartphone with good performance and decent photo quality, the iQoo Z9 is a good option to consider at this price point. It offers reliable battery life and has a bright AMOLED screen, while the processor definitely punches above its weight and makes up for the less-than-ideal UFS 2.2 storage.
However, the handset faces tough competition from smartphones like last year’s Samsung Galaxy M34 — while this handset’s Exynos 1280 processor is slower than the one on the iQoo Z9, it boasts better camera quality and a (subjectively) better software experience, with a longer software support window. Similarly, the Realme 12+ 5G has an additional ultra-wide-angle camera and supports faster charging at 67W.
There’s also the Poco X6 5G, which offers decent primary camera performance and packs a 5,100mAh battery, even though it comes with Android 13 out of the box in 2024. If your budget is a little higher, you can also consider the Nothing Phone 2a, which features a good primary camera and clean software. However, it doesn’t come with a charging brick inside the box, an issue you won’t face with the iQoo Z9.
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