iQOO Z9 Lite Review: The most affordable bridge to 5G with a basket of features

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: It won’t be an overstatement to say that iQOO is on a spree of launches this year, with its latest introduction being the iQOO Z9 Lite. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip, the smartphone boasts a 50MP primary camera and a dynamic display with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. In the subsequent sections, we shall delve deep into the details of its features and updates. 

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Design

It has an uber cool design considering the price range in which this smartphone is available. The device has a plastic build body and the initial in-hand feel of the iQOO Z9 Lite reminiscences of the phones launched in 2020, which featured a water-drop notch on the display.

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The back panel feels solid, flaunting a rugged profile. You will get a 3.5mm headphone jack, a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a microSD card slot. Interestingly, it is an IP64-rated device. 

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Display

It features a 6.59-inch HD+ resolution display with a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Under modest usage conditions, things appear smooth on the display. It has got a single speaker and lacks the ‘loudness’ required for a perfect multimedia experience. Further, it comes with Widevine L1 certification. 

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Camera

The iQOO Z9 Lite has a dual camera setup, including a 50MP primary shooter along with a 2MP depth sensor. Under daylight, the camera captures decent photos. However, when the light is low, images tend to lack proper details, sliding into what we call ‘noisy’ outputs. On the front, you get an 8MP selfie camera. It does a satisfactory job, if not the best. 

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Performance and Software

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, it is complemented by 6 GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. Dy-to-day activities can be performed with ease without any heating issues. Surprisingly, the device even allows extended gaming sessions, but on low graphic settings. The iQOO Z9 Lite runs on Android 14-based FunTouchOS 14, which comes with some pre-installed bloatware. 

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Battery

Considering the segment it belongs to, the battery prowess of this smartphone is decent with a 5,000mAh battery. It easily lasts for a day on a full charge. The charging time is to the higher side, as it takes approximately a couple of hours to get fully charged.

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iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Verdict

If you want a budget phone with 5G connectivity, along with a basket of features like good battery life, decent performance, and a manageable camera, among others, the iQOO Z9 Lite might be a good deal for you.  

iQOO Z9 Lite Review: Pros and Cons

iQOO Z9 Lite - Pros

• 5G connectivity at an affordable price

• Decent battery life

• IP64 rating for water and dust resistance

iQOO Z9 Lite - Cons 

• Display lacks sharpness

• Charging speed is slow

• Low-light photography leaves scope for improvement