iQOO is recognised for its performance-focused smartphones in the Indian market and has attempted to cover nearly all price segments. However, the sub-Rs 12,000 segment has remained unexplored by the brand. It looks to change that with the iQOO Z9 Lite.
iQOO Z9 Lite
Rs 9,999
What Is Good?
- Aqua colourway looks stunning
- Good daylight and low light photography
- Good for casual gaming
- Excellent battery life
- 5G capable
- Good for multimedia consumption
What Is Bad?
- Slow charging speed
- Hefty
- Bloatware and spammy apps
While gaming and performance have been a pillar for iQOO, this price segment requires a different approach. Can the iQOO Z9 Lite cater to those? Let’s find out in my review.
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Pricing and Availability in India
The iQOO Z9 Lite is available in two variants on iQOO eStore and Amazon with multiple bank offers and cashback.
| Variants | Pricing |
| 4GB RAM + 128GB Storage | Rs 9,999 |
| 6GB RAM + 128GB Storage | Rs 10,999 |
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Design and Build Quality
The iQOO Z9 Lite has two colourways: Aqua Flow and Mocha Brown. I got my hands on the Aqua Flow colourway, and it seriously reminds me of the waves on a beach. Just like the beach, the blue colourway looks absolutely beautiful.
The back panel has a matte finish, which makes the grip quite comfortable and keeps it free from fingerprints. As for the other 10 per cent of the design, the iQOO Z9 Lite has a glossy finish that surrounds the camera module.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 185 grams |
| Colours | Aqua Flow, Mocha Brown |
| Thickness | 8.39 mm |
| IP Rating | IP64 |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: Microphone, USB port, 3.5mm headphone jack
Top: Speaker grille Left Side: SIM tray Right Side: Power button with physical fingerprint sensor and volume buttons |
The design is attractive, but the phone isn’t particularly sleek. It feels quite heavy in the hand, which makes it uncomfortable for prolonged use. Whether you use it with or without a case, it still has a heft.
The power button on the right side doubles as a fingerprint sensor. My finger naturally landed on it to unlock the phone, and the sensor worked well most of the time. However, there were instances when I had to manually enter the password. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack at the bottom is a feature that many users will appreciate, and I’m glad to see this price segment still sticking to its roots.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that this phone has an IP64 rating, which is impressive at this price point. To give you more context, the OnePlus 11 was released with an IP64 rating, and it costs Rs 47,000 more than the Z9 Lite.
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Display and Audio
The iQOO Z9 Lite has an LCD display with a water drop-style notch, which I don’t particularly prefer. In contrast, other phones like the Realme C65 and Redmi 12 5G offer punch-hole displays that look more modern. Additionally, the bezels are quite prominent, particularly the chin of the phone.
| Display | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.56-inch |
| Type | LCD |
| Resolution | 720×1612 Pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 840 nits, Tested: nits |
| Minimum Brightness | nits |
The display supports a 90Hz refresh rate as noted in the table above. However, it is set to Smart Switch by default. For a smoother and faster scrolling experience, switching to the High refresh rate option would be ideal.
The colours on the display are accurate and consistent, which is impressive for the price. On Netflix, this device supports Widevine L1, which is something I wasn’t really expecting. I watched a few episodes of Suits, and for multimedia consumption, this phone is quite satisfactory.
Regarding display brightness, it is adequate indoors but not as effective outdoors. Nevertheless, it performs better in both numbers and reality than the Realme C65 and the Redmi 12 5G.
In terms of audio, there’s a single speaker at the top that delivers clear sound. The phone also features an Audio Booster Mode that claims to provide volume at 150 per cent. However, I hardly noticed any difference between 100 per cent and 150 per cent.
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Performance and Software
The iQOO Z9 Lite shares the same chipset as smartphones such as the Realme C65, Vivo T3 Lite, and Realme Narzo N65 5G.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 Octa-core |
| GPU | Mali-G57 |
| RAM | Up to 6GB |
| Storage | Up to 128GB |
| Storage Test | 403626 |
| CPU Throttling Test | 81 per cent of its max performance |
| Software Version | Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14
Two years of OS updates and three years of security patches |
| Connectivity Details | Dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Check out our comparison widget to see where the iQOO Z9 Lite ranks in the Antutu v10 benchmark compared to smartphones in the same price range.
Amongst these competitors, the iQOO Z9 Lite has crossed the 4 lakh barrier but still falls short.
That said, I used this phone for calling, texting, watching YouTube videos and playing Subway Surfers without encountering any issues.
The gameplay was smooth and enjoyable. Additionally, I tested heavy titles like Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI. Refer to the table below for a detailed look at my gaming experience.
| Game | Graphic Quality | FPS | Result |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | Maximum: Medium Quality + High FPS | Maximum: 60fps
Minimum: 53fps |
During Team Deathmatch, the top frame of the phone was getting warm. After a while, it was uncomfortable to hold the phone. |
| Call of Duty: Mobile | Minimum: Low Quality + Low FPS | Maximum: 60fps Minimum: 42fps |
I noticed a lot of stutters and lags during the gameplay, which impacted the overall experience. |
| BGMI | Maximum: HD Quality + High FPS | Maximum: 30fps Minimum: 27fps |
The experience was good, although the phone was warm. |
| BGMI | Minimum: Smooth Quality + Ultra FPS | Maximum: 40fps Minimum: 29fps |
The gameplay was smooth, however I noticed a few stutters. |
Overall, the gameplay was okay, but it became uncomfortable to hold after a while due to the phone getting warm. That said, it goes unsaid that the Z9 Lite is not built for intensive gaming. Games like Subway Surfers, Temple Run and other classics that you play on the ride back home via the metro can be easily handled by the phone.
The iQOO Z9 Lite runs on Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14. The phone offers customisation options such as Split Screen, Window Overlay, Hidden Photos, and more. However, it comes with several pre-installed bloatware apps. Luckily, these apps can uninstalled.
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Cameras
This phone features a dual-camera setup at the back, as shown in the table below. I took several pictures in daylight, and the results were satisfactory. While proper details are lacking, the overall quality is acceptable. The greens and browns appear overexposed, but they still look natural.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 50-megapixel AI Camera, f/1.8, Sony IMX852 |
| Secondary Camera | 2-megapixel Bokeh, f/2.4 |
| Selfie Camera | 8-megapixel Front Camera, f/2.0 |
| Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 2K at 30fps |
The Camera app includes features like Shake Reminder, Effects, and Level, which improve the overall experience. The portrait mode also works as intended. You can set the blur intensity before clicking a picture.
In low-light conditions, this phone performed better than expected. The details are good, and the colours are nearly natural. However, the camera struggles with bright light sources, causing light streaks in night-time photos. Additionally, the edges can show noise and grain in some cases, which are quite noticeable.
The selfies are impressive. The front camera captures all my pores and blemishes, resulting in true-to-life pictures.
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Battery and Charging
The iQOO Z9 Lite includes a 15W charging adapter in the box. The adapter features a USB Type-A port on the right side, which is a different style than usual.
While it’s good that an adapter is included, the 15W charging speed is quite slow for a 5000mAh battery. It took exactly 2 hours and 14 minutes for a full charge. Therefore, if you’re in a rush and only have 30 minutes available, this phone will only charge up to 21 per cent from empty.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 5000mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 15W, Charger in-the-box |
| Charging Time | 2 hours 14 minutes |
| PCMark Battery Test | 19 hours 56 minutes |
During the PCMark battery test, this phone lasted an impressive 19 hours and 56 minutes. It also surpassed the record set by the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite by about 47 minutes.
In terms of battery life, this phone easily lasts one and a half days with light to moderate usage. As I write this review, the battery was at 20 per cent in the morning, and it’s now 10 PM; the phone still has 10 per cent charge remaining. I used it for listening to songs, watching YouTube videos, and playing Subway Surfers. Therefore, the battery performance at this price is excellent.
iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Verdict
The iQOO Z9 Lite offers a good display experience, impressive photos in both daylight and low light, and an excellent battery that easily lasts for a day and a half.
While this phone isn’t designed for intensive gaming, it handles casual games without any issues. It’s worth mentioning, though, that given its price point, the gaming experience is decent.
Overall, the iQOO Z9 Lite is a solid choice if you need a robust smartphone that covers most bases. Moreover, it comes with 5G capabilities, so if you are thinking of switching from a 4G phone, this could be a good entry point. However, if you prioritise sleek design, alternatives like the Redmi 12 5G and Realme C65 might be more suitable.
