vivo iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: A Feature-Packed Smartphone for Young Professionals
vivo iQOO Z9s Pro features a 6.77" AMOLED 120Hz display, Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, 50MP camera, 5500mAh battery & 80W fast charging.
iQOO has expanded its Z9 series by introducing two new models: vivo iQOO Z9s and vivo iQOO Z9s Pro. These smartphones are designed for young multitaskers, including college students and professionals who need a device that delivers performance, efficiency, and style. We spent a month testing vivo iQOO Z9s Pro to see how it performs across different aspects. Here’s what we found.
Table of Contents
vivo iQOO Z9s Pro – Full Specifications
| 🔹 Category | 📌 Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Launch Date | August 23, 2024 |
| ⚖️ Weight | 185g or 190g |
| 📏 Thickness | 7.5mm or 8.0mm |
| 💧 Build Quality | IP64-rated (dust and water-resistant) |
| 📲 Operating System | Android 14 (Funtouch 14), 2 major Android updates |
| 💾 Storage Options | 128GB / 256GB (No microSD slot) |
| 🖥️ Display Type | AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ |
| 📏 Screen Size | 6.77 inches (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| 🔍 Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi) |
| 🌞 Peak Brightness | 4500 nits |
| 🛡️ Screen Protection | Schott Xensation Glass |
| ⚡ Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) |
| 🧠 CPU | Octa-core (1×2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| 🎮 GPU | Adreno 720 |
| 📥 RAM Options | 8GB / 12GB |
| ⚡ Storage Type | UFS 2.2 |
| 📷 Main Camera Setup | 📸 50MP (OIS, f/1.8) + 🌅 8MP (ultrawide, f/2.2, 120° FOV) |
| 🎞️ Camera Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| 🎥 Video Recording | 🎬 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS, OIS) |
| 🤳 Front Camera | 16MP (f/2.5, wide) |
| 📹 Front Camera Video | 1080p@30fps |
| 🔊 Loudspeakers | Stereo speakers |
| 🎧 3.5mm Jack | ❌ No |
| 🎵 Audio Quality | 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio |
| 📡 Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6), dual-band |
| 🔗 Bluetooth | Version 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| 🗺️ Navigation | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 📡 NFC | ❌ No |
| 📻 FM Radio | ✅ Yes |
| 🔌 USB Port | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG support |
| 🔍 Fingerprint Sensor | Under-display, optical |
| 📟 Other Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyro, Proximity, Compass |
| 🔋 Battery Capacity | 5500mAh (Li-Ion) |
| ⚡ Charging Speed | 🔋 80W wired (50% in 21 min), 🔄 7.5W reverse wired charging |
| 🎨 Available Colors | 🟠 Flamboyant Orange, ⚪ Luxe Marble |
| 💰 Price | ₹22,998 |
iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: Design and Build
6.77-inch curved AMOLED display of iQOO Z9s Pro has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a maximum brightness of 4,500 nits. The screen includes a centered punch-hole camera for selfies and an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication. The fingerprint scanner works well, though a slightly higher placement could have made unlocking the phone more convenient.
On the back, the phone has a squircle-shaped camera island, similar to the iQOO 12, but larger. It includes a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, and a circular LED flash. The design prevents wobbling when placed on a flat surface.
The iQOO Z9s Pro comes in two colors:
- Luxe Marble: Glossy finish with a marble-like pattern.
- Flamboyant Orange: Offers improved grip and smudge resistance thanks to its vegan leather back. It weighs 5g more than the Luxe Marble version, though.
Both variants are water & dust resistant, with an IP64 rating. Its lightweight design and curved edges make it comfortable to use for prolonged periods of time.
The phone’s frame is reflective, with the power button and volume rocker on the right side. Bottom houses a USB-C port, SIM card slot, primary microphone and a speaker grille. A secondary microphone is placed on the top. The device features stereo speakers for an enhanced audio experience.
iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: Display Quality
6.77-inch AMOLED screen has a resolution of 2,392 x 1,080 pixels and 387 PPI pixel density. It supports HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG codecs and includes Widevine L1 certification for 1080p video streaming.
The display is protected by Schott Xensation Up glass and features Wet Touch technology, allowing smooth operation even when wet. However, despite its high peak brightness, screen struggles under direct sunlight requiring users to cover it for better visibility.
An Always-On Display mode is included, but it only activates when the screen is tapped or the phone is moved slightly. One drawback is that there is no way to keep it on all the time. Hopefully, a software update will resolve this.
The refresh rate settings include:
- Smart Switch: Automatically adjusts between 60Hz, 90Hz, and 120Hz.
- Standard (60Hz): Conserves battery by limiting the refresh rate.
- High (120Hz): Delivers the smoothest experience.
While system apps and menus work at 120 Hz when in High Mode, YouTube and Google Photos continue to operate at 60 Hz. Some games, like Call of Duty: Mobile, run at 120 frames per second, while others like Real Racing 3 and Sky Force: Reloaded, do not.
iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: Performance and Software
The iQOO Z9s Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. It runs Android 14-based Funtouch OS 14 and is promised two years of Android updates and three years of security patches.
While some third-party apps are pre-installed, majority are uninstallable. App Retainer which keeps apps running in the background without refreshing, is a noteworthy feature. However, when reopened, certain well-known programs such as Facebook, reload because they are not supported.
In terms of performance, Z9s Pro manages routine chores without any issues, however it occasionally lags when navigating between programs. Thanks to features like motion control, AI game voice changer, and 4D game vibration, gaming experience is outstanding. However, only BGMI and PUBG Mobile support 4D game vibration.
iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: Benchmark Results
In benchmark tests, the iQOO Z9s Pro delivers decent performance but falls behind competitors with Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 and Dimensity 8300 Ultra chipsets.
GeekBench 6 Scores:
- Multi-core: 3,181
- Single-core: TBA
AnTuTu Scores:
- Total Score: 641,476
3DMark Wild Life (1440p) Scores:
- 5,351 (Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, Adreno 720 GPU)
Camera Performance
The iQOO Z9s Pro has a triple-camera setup:
- 50MP primary sensor (Sony IMX882): f/1.79 aperture, OIS, supports 4K 30FPS and 1080p 60FPS video recording.
- 8MP ultrawide camera (OmniVision OV08D10): f/2.2 aperture, 120° FOV.
- 16MP selfie camera: Supports 1080p 30FPS video recording.
In daylight, the primary camera takes sharp, colorful photos with good accuracy. Low-light shots are decent but sometimes lack sharpness. The 8MP ultrawide camera captures good images but has some edge distortion. 16MP front camera works well for selfies but struggles in low light.
iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: Battery and Charging
iQOO Z9s Pro packs a 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging. It takes about 40 minutes to fully charge making it one of the faster-charging phones in this segment.
With moderate use, such as gaming, social media, and video streaming, the battery lasts an astonishing entire day. With minimum use, a phone can last up to two days.
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iQOO Z9s Pro Hand-on Review: Pros and Cons
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| ✔ Stylish and lightweight design with IP64 rating | ❌ Display struggles under direct sunlight |
| ✔ 6.77-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate | ❌ No true Always-On Display mode |
| ✔ Decent Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 performance | ❌ Occasional UI stutters and app reloads |
| ✔ 50MP primary camera with OIS | ❌ App Retainer doesn’t support some popular apps |
| ✔ 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging | ❌ 4D Game Vibration is limited to a few games |
| ✔ Stereo speakers for enhanced audio | ❌ |
Conclusion: Is the iQOO Z9s Pro Worth It?
A good mid-range phone for professionals and gamers is iQOO Z9s Pro. It features a long-lasting battery with 80W quick charging, a fashionable design, and seamless performance. Also, the cameras are good.
Software periodically stutters, the Always-On Display is limited and the visibility in the daylight may be improved. Updates might resolve this, but they aren’t significant problems.
If you want a stylish, powerful phone with good gaming features and battery life, iQOO Z9s Pro is a great choice.
