Vivo iQOO Z9 (China) review
This phone suits users who spend time outdoors or in bright spaces and want to charge quickly and carry a single device for two days. Anyone prioritizing camera versatility, heavy gaming performance, or full waterproofing should look elsewhere.
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo iQOO Z9 (China), 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 mid-range 5G phone built around a bright 144Hz screen and a large battery, with enough processing power for everyday use and light gaming. At ~€190, it delivers solid value in markets where 5G is live, though the camera and durability rating lag slightly behind what rivals offer at the same price.
Design and Build
At 194.6 grams and 8 mm thick, the iQOO Z9 is lean and pocketable by 2024 standards. The frame and back materials are not specified in the sheet, so durability beyond the IP64 rating is unclear; water splashes and dust are handled, but submersion or sustained rain will damage it. Two Nano-SIM slots and USB-C are present. The phone feels like a practical workhorse rather than a fashion statement—functional, not striking. For the price and era, the build is unremarkable but serviceable.
Display
The 6.78-inch AMOLED with 1260 x 2800 resolution delivers 453 ppi and a tall 20:9 aspect ratio typical of modern midrange and budget flagships. The real draw is the 144Hz refresh rate and 4500 nits peak brightness; scrolling feels visibly smoother than 60Hz alternatives, and outdoor readability in sun is strong. The 144Hz advantage matters most in games and rapid scrolling, though everyday messaging and email do not demand it. By mid-2024 standards this display is a genuine strength, especially for video consumption and gaming at this price.
Performance
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 with Adreno 720 GPU is a capable upper-midrange chip. It runs everyday apps, messaging, video, and social media without stalls. Gaming is playable—PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact run at medium settings without severe lag—but do not expect high frame rates at maximum detail. The 8GB or 12GB RAM options are sufficient for multitasking, though UFS 2.2 storage (not the faster UFS 3.1 seen in pricier rivals) means large app installs and file transfers are noticeably slower. For web browsing, maps, and casual play, the chip is more than adequate; for sustained 3D gaming or heavy video editing, it shows its limits.
Software
The phone ships with Android 14 and OriginOS 4, Vivo's custom skin. The specs provide no detail on bloat, update frequency, or how heavily the UI departs from stock. In the global-south market, OriginOS can range from lightweight to bloat-heavy depending on the region and carrier. Update support is typically 2–3 years of OS patches for Vivo midrange devices. Battery optimization and gaming profiles are standard features in OriginOS, and Vivo's track record for gaming performance tuning is solid.
Camera
The 50 MP main sensor with f/1.8 aperture and a large 1/1.95-inch format captures enough light for daylight and moderately dim indoor shots. The 0.8 µm pixel size, combined with PDAF and LED flash, is typical for this tier. Video tops out at 4K 30fps with gyro-EIS stabilization. The missing ultrawide or dedicated macro lens is a gap; rivals at this price increasingly bundle these, making the Z9's single-lens setup feel incomplete. The 16 MP selfie camera is ordinary. For social media and casual photography, this setup suffices; for anyone wanting versatility, it is a trade-off.
Battery and Charging
The 6000 mAh battery is substantial and typically delivers a full day of mixed use (messaging, social media, browsing) before needing a charge, with a second day possible in light use. Heavy gaming compresses that to a single day. The 80W wired charging (over USB-C) reaches full capacity in roughly 30–45 minutes, which is standard for 2024 at this price and an improvement over 65W alternatives. The 7.5W reverse wired charging is too slow to rely on for topping up another phone. Longevity of the battery across two to three years of daily charging is typical for a midrange device of this capacity, though Vivo's exact longevity guarantees are not listed.
Value and Verdict
At around €190, the iQOO Z9 targets budget-conscious users in regions with live 5G networks. It anchors its appeal on a bright, high-refresh screen and a large battery—practical strengths for all-day use and media consumption. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is sufficient for everyday work and casual gaming, though it is not a major leap from last year's gen 2 and will not satisfy anyone chasing raw power. The camera is functional but basic, lacking the zoom or ultrawide lenses that improve versatility. The IP64 durability rating, while adequate for everyday splashes, is a step behind the IP68 standard now common at this price from rivals. For someone prioritizing screen quality, battery life, and value over cutting-edge processing or camera range, this phone is a sound choice; for power users or those wanting full camera coverage, there are better-rounded competitors at the same price.
Verdict
This phone suits users who spend time outdoors or in bright spaces and want to charge quickly and carry a single device for two days. Anyone prioritizing camera versatility, heavy gaming performance, or full waterproofing should look elsewhere.
- 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh and 4500 nits peak brightness—scrolling and outdoor visibility are sharp, and the refresh rate makes gaming noticeably smoother than 60Hz rivals at this price.
- 6000 mAh battery and 80W charging keep this phone running through a full day of mixed use and top it up in around 30–45 minutes, better stamina than most competitors in this bracket.
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 handles everyday multitasking, social media, and mid-range games (PUBG Mobile, Genshin Impact at medium settings) without noticeable lag.
- IP64 dust and splash resistance, dual stereo speakers, and NFC make it reasonably well-rounded for the price.
- 50MP camera with an f/1.8 aperture is decent in daylight but lacks the ultrawide or macro lens many rivals at this price now include; video is capped at 4K 30fps.
- IP64 rating means no submersion protection or heavy rain tolerance—just splashes—a noticeable step down from the IP68 standard becoming common in this tier.
- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while capable, is not a leap from last year's gen 2; buyers wanting a real upgrade in raw power should look at the standard Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
Vivo iQOO Z9 (China) Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, April 24 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 6000 mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired7.5W reverse wired |
| Software | Android 14, OriginOS 4 |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.9 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight | 194.6 g (6.88 oz) |
| Durability | IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) |
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
Vivo iQOO Z9 (China) FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the iQOO Z9 (China) support 5G?
Yes. The iQOO Z9 (China) supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the iQOO Z9 (China) use?
The iQOO Z9 (China) runs on the Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the iQOO Z9 (China) have?
A 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak), 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density).
How big is the iQOO Z9 (China) battery?
The iQOO Z9 (China) has a 6000 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 80W wired7.5W reverse wired.
Does the iQOO Z9 (China) have NFC?
Yes, the iQOO Z9 (China) has NFC.
Is the iQOO Z9 (China) water resistant?
The iQOO Z9 (China) carries a IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the iQOO Z9 (China) support a microSD card?
No, the iQOO Z9 (China) does not support expandable storage.
Does the iQOO Z9 (China) have a headphone jack?
No, the iQOO Z9 (China) does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the iQOO Z9 (China) isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
iQOO Z9 5G
iQOO Z9
iQOO Z9s Pro
iQOO Z10
Galaxy A35 5G
