Vivo iQOO Z9 5G review
The iQOO Z9 is for someone who spends most time on the display and wants a thin, light phone without overpaying for flagship features they don't need. If you prioritise fast charging, a versatile camera, or flagship performance, a higher-priced model or a more recent flagship will serve you better.
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo iQOO Z9 5G, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The iQOO Z9 is a well-balanced mid-ranger with a 120Hz AMOLED screen and slim 7.8mm frame that justifies its €220 price without asking you to compromise on the everyday essentials. The Dimensity 7200 handles daily work and casual gaming smoothly, though it lacks the raw power of a flagship and 44W charging is merely adequate in 2024.
Design & build
The iQOO Z9 is refreshingly thin at 7.8mm and light at 188g, making it easy to slip into a pocket and pleasant to hold for extended use. The glass front combined with a plastic back and frame is a cost-conscious choice that works here because the phone doesn't feel cheap in hand—there is real rigidity and no obvious flex. The IP54 rating handles dust and water splashes but is not waterproof, so accidental submersion is still a concern. For this price and class, the build is sensible: it prioritises weight and thinness over the reassurance of all-glass design, and that trade-off suits a phone aimed at value-conscious buyers who prioritise pocket-friendliness.
Display
The 6.67-inch AMOLED panel is the iQOO Z9's headline strength. At 1080 x 2400 pixels and 395 ppi, it is sharp enough that individual pixels are invisible in daily use, and the 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling through apps and social feeds noticeably smoother than a 60Hz screen. The 1800-nit peak brightness handles bright outdoor conditions without washing out, and HDR content pops without oversaturation. This is genuinely a class-leading display for the price—rivals often cut corners here with IPS LCDs or lower refresh rates. The Dragontrail Star 2 Plus glass offers decent scratch resistance, though it will not survive a fall as well as premium Gorilla Glass. For a €220 phone, this screen alone justifies the purchase.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 7200 is a capable upper-midrange chip that handles everyday tasks, social apps, video streaming, and casual gaming without hiccups. In practical terms, PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile run at high settings with stable frame rates; you can multitask without lag, and app switching is responsive. The Mali-G610 GPU is not built for demanding console-style titles at maximum graphics, but that is fine for a €220 device. Compared to last year's flagships it is noticeably slower, but against other phones at this price it is competitive. The 8GB RAM (or 12GB in the top tier) is sufficient for most users; you will not notice the difference between 8 and 12GB unless you are extreme multitasking or gaming for hours. UFS 2.2 storage is older than the UFS 3.1 found on pricier rivals, which means file transfers and app installations are a touch slower, but the impact on day-to-day use is negligible.
Software
The phone ships with Android 14 and Vivo's Funtouch 14 skin. Funtouch is lighter than it was a few years ago and does not bog down the Dimensity 7200, but it still adds software bloat and bundled apps that many users will want to uninstall. The interface is intuitive enough, and the fingerprint scanner (under-display optical) is responsive and reliable. Software updates from Vivo are not guaranteed for as long as a Samsung or Google phone, so this is a consideration if you plan to keep the device for 4+ years. For typical 2–3 year ownership, Funtouch is acceptable if not inspiring.
Camera
The 50MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture, optical image stabilisation, and a large 1/1.95" sensor produces solid photos in good light and manages night scenes better than typical midrange phones thanks to the sensor size and OIS. Colours are accurate, and PDAF autofocus is fast. The 16MP selfie camera handles video calls and casual portraits without drama. The real shortcoming is the lack of an ultrawide or telephoto lens—this is a single-camera setup in an era when even budget phones often include a secondary sensor. For someone who shoots mostly everyday moments and social content, it is fine. For travel, landscape, or any situation where a wider field of view or zoom would help, it is limiting. The 4K video at 30fps is acceptable but not smooth, and rivals offer 60fps as standard now.
Battery & charging
The 5000mAh battery is substantial and easily lasts a full day on moderate use (work, messaging, casual browsing). With moderate gaming or video streaming, you can squeeze out 6–8 hours of continuous screen time. The problem is charging: at 44W, a full charge takes roughly 50–60 minutes, which is slower than the 65W, 80W, or even 100W charging common at this price now. If you are in a hurry or forget to plug in overnight, the slow charging becomes frustrating. Over time, a 5000mAh battery will hold its health for 2–3 years of typical use, after which capacity degradation becomes noticeable. For a phone at this price, the battery size is generous, but the charging speed holds it back from being exceptional.
Value & verdict
At €220, the iQOO Z9 is a solid choice if you value a sharp, smooth display and reliable all-day battery life without the distraction of a camera setup that tries to do too much. The Dimensity 7200 is fast enough for daily work and casual games, the design is light and comfortable, and the 120Hz AMOLED is genuinely difficult to fault at this price. The drawbacks are real: 44W charging is outdated, the single camera with no zoom is limiting, and the plastic build gives less reassurance than you might want for a device you'll carry daily. If slow charging irritates you, or if photography matters, look elsewhere. If you just want a phone that works, doesn't break the bank, and feels good in hand, the Z9 delivers.
Verdict
The iQOO Z9 is for someone who spends most time on the display and wants a thin, light phone without overpaying for flagship features they don't need. If you prioritise fast charging, a versatile camera, or flagship performance, a higher-priced model or a more recent flagship will serve you better.
- 120Hz AMOLED display with 1800-nit peak brightness and 395 ppi density, sharp and smooth for this price tier
- Slim 7.8mm thickness and 188g weight without feeling flimsy—glass front and solid build despite plastic back
- Dimensity 7200 delivers reliable performance for apps, social media, and moderate gaming at stable frame rates
- 5000mAh battery lasts a full day on mixed use and survives heavy screen-on time without draining by noon
- 44W charging is slow by 2024 standards; rivals at this price offer 65–100W, meaning a full charge takes significantly longer
- Single 50MP camera with no ultrawide or telephoto; the main shooter is competent but the setup feels basic for a phone released in 2024
- Plastic frame and back reduce perceived durability; the glass front and IP54 rating offer limited reassurance against drops or extended water exposure
Vivo iQOO Z9 5G Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, March 12 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR, 1800 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7200 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Software | Android 14, Funtouch 14 |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.43 x 2.98 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| Durability | IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Vivo iQOO Z9 5G FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the iQOO Z9 5G support 5G?
Yes. The iQOO Z9 5G supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the iQOO Z9 5G use?
The iQOO Z9 5G runs on the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 (4 nm).
What display does the iQOO Z9 5G have?
A 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR, 1800 nits (peak), 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density).
How big is the iQOO Z9 5G battery?
The iQOO Z9 5G has a 5000 mAh battery.
Does the iQOO Z9 5G have NFC?
No, the iQOO Z9 5G does not list NFC support.
Is the iQOO Z9 5G water resistant?
The iQOO Z9 5G carries a IP54 dust protected and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the iQOO Z9 5G support a microSD card?
Yes, the iQOO Z9 5G supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Alternatives to consider
If the iQOO Z9 5G isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
T3 5G
iQOO Z10
V40 Lite 4G
iQOO Z9s Pro
Galaxy A35 5G
