The iQOO Z9s 5G starts at around $240, making it an affordable option for those seeking a balance between performance and features. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, which has been used in a few mid-range devices, the Z9s 5G comes packed with competitive specs, closely mirroring its Pro counterpart.
It features a 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera, a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 1800 nits peak brightness, HDR10+ support, and a 5000mAh battery paired with 44W fast charging. On paper, the iQOO Z9s 5G seems promising, but how does it hold up in real-world performance? Let’s dive into the details.
Design and Build: Slim, Sleek, and Stylish
From the moment I held the iQOO Z9s 5G, I could tell that its design was meant to impress, especially given its price range. Unlike the Pro model, the Z9s 5G opts for a slim, sleek look with a curved display that gives it a more premium feel than one might expect in this segment. At just 7.49mm thick and weighing 180 grams, it’s one of the more lightweight and stylish phones I’ve encountered at this price point.
We tested the grey variant, which has a matte finish that not only looks good but also helps in reducing fingerprint smudges. There is a leather-finished option available as well, though it adds a bit of heft and thickness to the device. Despite having a massive 5000mAh battery, the phone manages to maintain a relatively slim profile, which is a commendable feat of engineering.
The rear of the device sports a capsule-shaped camera module with two pill-shaped cutouts—one housing the main 50MP sensor and a depth camera, and the other featuring an aura light. The LED flash sits just outside the module. This design choice does result in a noticeable camera bump, but it’s spread out enough that the phone doesn’t wobble when placed flat on a surface.
In terms of overall build quality, the Z9s 5G feels sturdy without being bulky. It’s well-balanced in the hand, and for those who prefer understated designs, the grey variant should hit the mark. For others, there are more vibrant options like Onyx Green and Flamboyant Orange. The phone’s bottom edge includes the SIM tray, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille, while the right side features the power button and volume rockers.
Display: Vivid AMOLED with High Brightness
The iQOO Z9s 5G features a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support, making it a solid choice for media consumption. The display peaks at an impressive 1800 nits, which ensures good outdoor visibility, although it’s not quite as bright as some higher-end models.
Thanks to its HDR10+ support, streaming content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube feels immersive. The colors are vibrant and sharp, typical of AMOLED panels, and there are three display modes—Standard, Bright, and Professional. I found the Professional mode to be the most natural, offering a more subdued yet accurate color profile.
The 120Hz refresh rate makes the overall experience smooth, whether you’re scrolling through social media or playing games. iQOO’s Smart Switch feature automatically adjusts the refresh rate based on the task at hand, toggling between 120Hz, 90Hz, and even 60Hz to save on battery life. While the Pro variant offers higher brightness, the Z9s’ 1800 nits still perform admirably in most conditions.
An in-display fingerprint sensor adds to the premium feel and is both fast and reliable. Overall, the display quality punches above its price, offering an excellent viewing experience.
Software: FunTouch OS with Some Bloatware
The iQOO Z9s 5G runs on Android 14, layered with iQOO’s FunTouch OS 14. While the user interface is clean and functional, it does come with its share of bloatware—there are 47 pre-installed apps, some of which can be removed while others cannot. This is fairly typical of budget smartphones, but it can still be annoying to deal with unnecessary apps right out of the box.
That said, FunTouch OS does offer plenty of customization options, allowing users to tweak the always-on display, clock styles, and even smart sidebar options. iQOO has also promised two years of major software updates and three years of security patches, which is a welcome commitment for a device in this price range.
The software experience is smooth, but the pre-installed apps do remind you of the phone’s budget positioning. Thankfully, it doesn’t detract from the overall user experience, and with a bit of tinkering, you can make the phone feel much more personal.
Performance: Smooth and Efficient
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, the iQOO Z9s 5G excels in everyday tasks and performs well in benchmark tests. In comparison to its peers, such as the OnePlus Nord CE and the Vivo T3, the Z9s 5G holds its own, especially in multi-core performance, with scores that place it at the top of its class. With 12GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the phone handles multitasking with ease, and switching between apps is seamless.
In real-world use, the Z9s 5G didn’t stutter during normal tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. Even when pushed with more demanding applications and games like Call of Duty Mobile, the phone maintained solid performance with minimal frame drops, though extended gaming sessions did lead to some heating and slight frame dips. However, this is expected in this segment and didn’t detract from the overall experience.
Whether you’re using it for content consumption or light gaming, the iQOO Z9s 5G delivers a smooth and efficient performance, making it one of the stronger contenders in its price range.
Camera: Decent Photos, Lacks Versatility
The iQOO Z9s 5G is equipped with a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor that offers solid image quality for the price, although it lacks some versatility due to the absence of an ultrawide lens. Alongside the primary camera, there’s a 2MP depth sensor, which does its job in portrait mode by effectively blurring the background.
In daylight conditions, the 50MP sensor captures photos with excellent detail and natural colors. The dynamic range is also impressive for a phone in this budget range, with light and shadows well-differentiated in high-contrast shots. The camera does struggle a bit in low-light conditions, as details become muddled and the dynamic range suffers, but this is common in most phones at this price point.
The 16MP front-facing camera does a decent job with selfies, but skin tones can look slightly off, and the images may lack the level of detail you’d expect from higher-end models. Still, for casual photography, the camera setup is more than adequate.
Battery Life and Charging: Long-Lasting but Slow to Recharge
The iQOO Z9s 5G comes with a massive 5000mAh battery, providing excellent longevity on a single charge. With moderate usage, the phone easily lasts a full day, and even heavy users will get through most of the day without needing to recharge.
However, while the phone supports 44W fast charging, it takes around 1.5 hours to fully charge from 0 to 100%. Compared to competitors that offer faster charging at similar price points, such as the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite with 80W charging, the Z9s 5G falls slightly behind in this department.
Verdict: A Solid Budget Performer
The iQOO Z9s 5G offers an excellent balance of features for its price, particularly excelling in design, display, and performance. While it has some minor shortcomings—like slower charging and the lack of an ultrawide camera—it still stands out as one of the best performers in its segment. For around $240, the combination of a high-quality AMOLED display, reliable battery life, and powerful MediaTek chipset makes the Z9s 5G a great option for budget-conscious buyers.
