iQOO Z9s 5G : I’ve been hands-on with the iQOO Z9s 5G for a couple of weeks now, and let me tell you, this phone punches way above its weight in the crowded under-20k segment.

Launched back in August 2024, it’s still a hot pick in early 2026 for folks chasing solid performance without breaking the bank.

What really hooked me was how it balances a premium feel with everyday reliability—think slim design, killer battery life, and a camera that surprises in low light.

Sleek Design That Feels Premium

Picking up the iQOO Z9s, you’re struck by its ultra-thin 7.49mm body, which houses a whopping 5500mAh battery—iQOO’s slimmest yet for that capacity. It weighs just 180 grams, making it comfy for long scrolling sessions or one-handed use.

The 3D curved AMOLED edges on the front give it a flagship vibe, available in Onyx Green with its marble-like gloss or the understated Titanium Matte.

The IP64 rating means it shrugs off splashes and dust, perfect for India’s unpredictable monsoons or dusty streets.

Build-wise, it’s plastic back and frame, but SCHOTT Xensation glass up front adds durability—surviving over 100 one-meter tumbles in tests. No wonder it feels tougher than most rivals at this price.

Display That’s a Visual Treat

The 6.77-inch curved AMOLED screen is the star here, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth swipes and 1800 nits peak brightness that cuts through harsh sunlight.

With HDR10+, 1.07 billion colors, and 100% DCI-P3 gamut, movies and games pop with insane contrast—8 million-to-1 ratio makes blacks inky deep. Wet Touch tech is a game-changer; even with sweaty palms or raindrops, touches register accurately.

PWM dimming at 2160Hz keeps eye strain low during late-night bingeing. At 93% screen-to-body, it’s immersive without bezels stealing the show.

Power Under the Hood

Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7300 on a 4nm process, this chip clocks over 700,000 on AnTuTu, handling multitasking like a champ with up to 12GB extended RAM. I juggled 40+ apps without hiccups, from Chrome tabs to Instagram reels.

Gaming shines in Ultra Game Mode: 2000Hz touch sampling, 4D vibrations, and motion controls make BGMI or COD feel next-level.

Dual stereo speakers pump 300% volume with Hi-Res audio, though no Dolby tuning. It’s efficient too, staying cool during extended sessions.

Camera Setup That Delivers

The 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor with OIS is the hero, capturing sharp 4K@60fps videos and UHD stills with natural colors.

Paired with a 2MP depth helper, portraits nail bokeh edges, while Super Night Mode pulls details from shadows without over-processing. AI tricks like Photo Enhance fix blurry old pics, and Erase removes photobombers effortlessly.

The 16MP selfie cam does solid 1080p video, though low-light selfies could be punchier. For social media addicts, it’s more than capable—reels look pro.

Battery Life for the Win

That 5500mAh pack lasts a full day of heavy use: 20+ hours video, 10 hours gaming, or 22 hours social scrolling.

44W FlashCharge juices it to 50% in under 30 minutes, with charger in box. Reverse 7.5W helps charge earbuds in a pinch, and 4-year health retention promises longevity.

Super Battery Saver stretches 1% to 27 minutes of calls or 3 hours standby. Instant 0% startup gets you back in 5 seconds if it dies mid-game. In real tests, it outlasted my routine by hours.

Software and Extras

Running Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14, with 2 years OS and 3 years security updates, it’s clean but feature-packed—split screen, mini windows, app retainer for seamless resumes.

Privacy perks like hidden photos and 50-month smoothness testing add peace of mind. Connectivity is spot-on: 5G on major bands, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, FM radio.

Under-display fingerprint is quick, and sensors cover all bases. At ₹19,999 starting (now around ₹18k with deals), variants up to 12GB/256GB make it versatile.

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Who Should Buy the iQOO Z9s?

If you’re after a stylish all-rounder for gaming, streaming, and snaps without splurging, this is it—beats Moto Edge 50 Neo in battery, rivals Poco X6 in speed.

Drawbacks? No wireless charging, average selfies. But for India’s value hunters, it’s a steal. Grab it on Flipkart or iQOO site before stocks dip further.