The iQOO Z9s 5G: A Budget Powerhouse or Just Another Mid-Range Contender?
The Indian smartphone market is a battlefield, and brands are slinging discounts like confetti at a clearance sale. Enter the iQOO Z9s 5G—a device that’s suddenly everywhere, thanks to a juicy 23% price cut on Amazon India. Priced at ₹19,999 (down from ₹25,999), it’s waving its “budget flagship” flag hard. But is this phone a legit steal, or just another shiny object in the mid-range circus? Let’s dig into the specs, the hype, and whether your wallet should care.
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The Performance Play: Dimensity 7300 & 5G Future-Proofing
At the heart of the iQOO Z9s 5G lies the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset, a processor that’s basically the overachieving middle child of the smartphone world. It’s not the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but for under ₹20K, it’s no slouch either. Paired with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, this setup handles multitasking like a barista juggling oat-milk lattes during rush hour—smooth, but don’t expect miracles.
The 5G support is the real headline here. With India’s 5G rollout still in its “buffering” phase, this phone is betting big on the future. Translation: You’re paying for connectivity you might not fully use today, but hey, at least you won’t be left behind when your neighbor starts bragging about their download speeds.
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Display Drama: 120Hz AMOLED or Overkill for the Price?
The Z9s 5G flaunts a 120Hz 3D Curved AMOLED display—a feature that’s usually reserved for phones costing twice as much. The high refresh rate makes scrolling through Instagram reels feel like butter, and the 1800 nits peak brightness means you won’t squint like a mole person in sunlight. But let’s be real: Is a curved display *necessary* at this price? Or is it just a fancy way to make you feel premium while you’re watching cat videos?
Then there’s the 5500mAh battery, which iQOO claims will last “all day.” Spoiler: It won’t if you’re glued to TikTok. But with fast charging, at least you can top up between doomscrolls.
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Camera Conundrum: 50MP Hype vs. Real-World Shots
The quad-camera setup, led by a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor with OIS, sounds impressive on paper. In practice? It’s decent for the price—daylight shots pop, but low-light performance is still a “bring your own flashlight” situation. The Aura Light feature is a neat party trick, though. It’s like adding a ring light to your phone, because apparently, we’ve all become amateur influencers now.
iQOO’s exchange program is the real MVP here. Trade in your ancient brick of a phone for up to ₹18,950, and suddenly the Z9s 5G feels like a fire sale. Pair that with bank discounts (looking at you, HDFC and ICICI), and this phone starts to smell like a bargain.
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The Verdict: Should You Bite?
The iQOO Z9s 5G is a textbook example of “more for less.” It’s got the specs to back up its mid-range swagger, and the discounts make it a legit contender. But let’s not pretend it’s flawless—the curved display is a love-it-or-hate-it gimmick, and the camera won’t replace your DSLR.
If you’re upgrading from a phone that still has a home button, this is a no-brainer. But if you’re already rocking a decent mid-ranger, ask yourself: Do you *need* 5G now, or are you just succumbing to FOMO? Either way, at ₹19,999, the Z9s 5G is playing the discount game better than most. Now, excuse me while I go resist the urge to hit “Buy Now.”
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