Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance review
This phone suits buyers who game, watch video, or do heavy work on their phone and want it to not slow down—and don't mind a plastic build or Vivo's software overlay to save money. Skip it if you value a glass back, a clean Android experience, or a fast-charging rate that isn't already trailing the market.
This review is based on Vivo’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance, 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 Turbo Endurance is a midrange phone that undercuts flagship pricing while packing a last-gen flagship-class processor, a massive battery, and fast charging—making it a solid value for buyers who skip premium brand cachet. Its weak points are the plastic build, modest camera, and tight software to a Vivo's own OS, but none of those break the deal at 250 EUR.
Design & build
At 8mm thick and 196g, the Z9 Turbo Endurance is a compact, hefty phone—glass front but plastic back and frame throughout. That plastics feel dense and grippy rather than light, which reads as cheaper than competing midrange phones with some metal or hybrid builds at the same price. IP64 rating means dust and splash resistance, so light rain or a spilled drink won't harm it, but this is not a waterproof phone and will not survive a fall or deep dunk. The trade-off is intentional: plastic keeps the weight down and the price lower, but it makes the phone feel less like a step up from a budget phone and more like a compromise.
Display
The 6.78-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen is one of the phone's real strengths. At 1260 x 2800 pixels and 453 ppi, text and maps are sharp, scrolling through apps and social feeds is visibly smoother than 60Hz rivals, and HDR video playback is punchy. The 89.3% screen-to-body ratio means minimal bezels. Vivo's calibration tends toward bright and warm, which works well outdoors but may feel oversaturated in darker settings. For its price, this is a flagship-quality display—a genuine carry-over from Vivo's higher-end models.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is Qualcomm's second-tier flagship from 2024; it trades a couple of CPU cores for the top 8 Gen 3 but delivers 95% of the performance at a lower price and power draw. In practice, that means Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail run at high or medium settings without dropped frames, everyday apps open instantly, and multitasking across a dozen open apps causes no stutter. Gaming is the litmus test here, and it passes. The Adreno 735 GPU is capable, and 12GB or 16GB of RAM ensures apps stay in memory. This is the core appeal: you get near-flagship speed for 250 EUR, and for the average buyer in emerging markets, that's the main difference between a sluggish daily driver and a smooth one.
Software
Android 14 with OriginOS 4 is Vivo's skin, and it's dense with Vivo-branded apps, ad-laden widgets, and bloat that slows down the otherwise fast hardware. You'll find duplicate Samsung-like system apps, a cluttered app drawer, and persistent notifications from Vivo services. It's not malware, but it feels like the phone manufacturer's way of pushing its own ecosystem instead of stepping aside. This is not a dealbreaker if you don't mind a little de-cluttering, but users who prize clean Android will find it annoying. Updates are typically on schedule for a Chinese brand, but don't expect years of support.
Camera
The 50MP main camera is the real work, with a large f/1.8 aperture, a 1/1.95-inch sensor, and OIS—all ingredients for solid daylight shooting and surprisingly clean low-light photos. Detail is preserved well in bright conditions, and the OIS steadies handheld video and reduces blur when shooting in dim rooms. The 8MP ultrawide is where the compromise shows; it's a tight 123-degree field and delivers noticeably less detail and color accuracy than the main camera, making it feel more like a bonus than a genuine second lens. For social media, Reels, and casual video, the main camera does the job. Don't expect high-end detail or night-mode wizardry; this is honest midrange camera work.
Battery & charging
The 6400 mAh cell is genuinely large and delivers about 1.5 to 2 days on mixed use—messaging, social video, some gaming, moderate brightness. Heavy gamers will squeeze one full day; light users will stretch toward two. The 80W wired charging is respectable but no longer fast by 2025 standards; rivals in this price range are hitting 100W and above, so you're behind. From empty to full takes roughly 30–40 minutes, with most of the speed happening in the first 20 minutes—typical for fast charging. There's no wireless charging, which is a miss at this price point.
Value & verdict
At 250 EUR, the Z9 Turbo Endurance competes directly with OnePlus, Poco, and other Chinese brands selling Snapdragon 8 series phones at midrange prices. Its main selling point is the all-day battery and the processor that doesn't bottleneck gaming or video editing for a phone at this price. The AMOLED screen is a perk, and 80W charging is fine, though not class-leading. The plastic build and bloated software are real compromises that prevent this from feeling like a bargain flagship; it's more of a smart midrange buy for someone who prioritizes performance and battery life over brand prestige or build materials. For emerging markets where these specs matter more than aesthetics, it makes sense.
Verdict
This phone suits buyers who game, watch video, or do heavy work on their phone and want it to not slow down—and don't mind a plastic build or Vivo's software overlay to save money. Skip it if you value a glass back, a clean Android experience, or a fast-charging rate that isn't already trailing the market.
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 handles demanding games and heavy multitasking without lag, delivering near-flagship performance for half the flagship price
- 6400 mAh battery delivers a full day-and-a-half of mixed use, and 80W charging fills it in roughly 30–40 minutes
- 144Hz AMOLED display is smooth and sharp at 453 ppi, with good HDR support for video and games
- 50MP f/1.8 main camera with OIS captures clean daylight shots and handles low light reasonably well for a midrange phone
- Plastic back and frame feel cheap compared to glass midrange rivals, and the weight at 196g makes it feel dense rather than premium
- 8MP ultrawide is a tight crop and offers little gain over the main camera; don't expect impressive landscape or group photos
- OriginOS 4 overlay is heavy with Vivo apps and bloat, slowing down the otherwise snappy hardware
Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2025, January 03 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio), AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Selfie camera | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Battery | 6400 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 | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame |
| 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 Turbo Endurance FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance support 5G?
Yes. The iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance supports 5G networks.
What chipset does the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance use?
The iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance runs on the Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm).
What display does the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance have?
A 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density).
How big is the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance battery?
The iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance has a 6400 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 80W wired7.5W reverse wired.
Does the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance have NFC?
Yes, the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance has NFC.
Is the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance water resistant?
The iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance carries a IP64 dust tight and water resistant (water splashes) rating.
Does the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance support a microSD card?
No, the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance does not support expandable storage.
Does the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance have a headphone jack?
No, the iQOO Z9 Turbo Endurance does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
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