10 Cons of iQOO Z9 (Review 2024)

In the labyrinthine landscape of the smartphone market, finding a device that harmoniously melds performance, camera excellence, and an intuitive user experience can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The iQOO Z9 has been stirring considerable buzz, particularly among gaming aficionados, thanks to its formidable specifications and sleek aesthetics.

Yet, amidst the clamor and the barrage of effusive endorsements, I felt compelled to peel back the layers and share a more nuanced perspective on the device’s less flattering facets. For those of you who, like me, have grown jaded by the relentless stream of positive reviews and crave a more balanced evaluation, here’s my in-depth exploration of the iQOO Z9’s cons.

No Proper Camera Setup for High-End Photography

When I first looked at the iQOO Z9, the 50 MP Sony IMX 882 sensor caught my eye. It seemed promising, but as I spent more time with the phone, I realized it falls short for those of us who are serious about high-end photography. Unlike rival smartphones that boast a versatile ensemble of ultra-wide, telephoto, and macro lenses, the Z9’s single-camera system feels somewhat constrained, particularly given its competitive price tag.

For enthusiasts like me who relish the ability to capture professional-grade images or seek a more adaptable photography toolkit, the Z9 falls short. While it handles well-lit environments competently, its performance wanes in low-light conditions. The absence of advanced features such as optical image stabilization further diminishes its appeal, rendering it less capable of delivering the nuanced shots that photography purists desire.

Possible Limited Game Optimization

One of the iQOO Z9’s marquee features is its dazzling 144Hz OLED display, a veritable dream for gamers yearning for ultra-smooth visuals and responsive touch interactions. Nevertheless, my real-world gaming experience revealed a dissonance between the hardware’s potential and the software’s execution. Not all games are optimized to fully leverage the high refresh rate, leading to instances where the fluidity and responsiveness I anticipated were conspicuously absent.

This disjunction means that, despite the phone’s impressive specs, the gaming experience can sometimes feel lackluster, with the device’s capabilities not being fully harnessed. For gamers like myself who prioritize seamless performance across a diverse array of titles, this limitation is a significant letdown, detracting from what could otherwise be a stellar gaming device.

Average Haptics

Haptic feedback is a subtle yet vital component of the smartphone experience, enriching interactions whether I’m typing, gaming, or simply navigating the interface. The iQOO Z9, however, offers haptic feedback that can best be described as unremarkable. While it performs adequately for routine tasks, it lacks the refined, premium feel found in higher-tier smartphones.

Personally, I found the haptic responses to be somewhat flat and uninspiring, especially when juxtaposed with competitors that deliver more nuanced and satisfying tactile feedback. For users who place a premium on the tactile sensations of their device, the Z9’s haptics might feel underwhelming, failing to provide that extra layer of engagement that enhances the overall user experience.

Water Resistance

In an era where smartphones are perpetually at risk of accidental exposure to moisture, robust water resistance is a highly coveted feature. The iQOO Z9 offers an IP64 rating, providing a basic shield against water splashes and dust ingress. However, in my assessment, this level of protection is insufficient compared to higher-tier devices boasting IP68 ratings or beyond, which offer more comprehensive safeguards against water and dust.

For individuals like me who often find themselves in environments where the phone might encounter moisture, or who simply seek added reassurance against accidental spills and splashes, the Z9’s limited water resistance is a notable drawback. It implies a greater susceptibility to water damage in scenarios that exceed mere light splashes, potentially leading to expensive repairs or necessitating a replacement device.

Ghost Touch Issue

One of the most exasperating problems I encountered with the iQOO Z9 is the infamous “ghost touch” phenomenon, where the device inexplicably registers touch inputs without any physical interaction. This issue appears to stem from manufacturing defects and can severely disrupt the user experience, causing erratic screen taps, unintended app launches, or unpredictable cursor movements.

Such anomalies not only impede the smooth operation of the phone but can also result in data loss or unexpected app crashes. Unfortunately, rectifying this problem typically necessitates a screen replacement at a service center, an inconvenience that is both time-consuming and potentially costly. For users like myself who rely heavily on their phone for productivity or immersive gaming, encountering ghost touches can be a dealbreaker, undermining the device’s overall reliability.

Hanging Issues with Heavy Apps

Consistency in performance is paramount, especially for those of us who frequently engage with resource-intensive applications. Despite the iQOO Z9’s ostensibly robust specifications, I noticed a troubling tendency for the phone to hang or freeze when running heavy-duty apps.

This manifests as the device becoming unresponsive during demanding tasks, necessitating a hard reset by holding down the power and volume down buttons. Such interruptions are not only frustrating but also disrupt the seamless multitasking and gaming experiences that the Z9 is supposed to facilitate. These hanging issues cast a shadow over the device’s ability to handle prolonged or intensive usage without compromising performance, raising concerns about its reliability under pressure.

Heating Problems During Gaming

Gaming on the iQOO Z9 can be an exhilarating experience, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of the device’s thermal stability. Following a series of software updates, I observed that the phone tends to heat up significantly during gaming sessions. This excessive heat generation is likely attributable to flaws in the phone’s cooling mechanism, which struggles to effectively dissipate heat during intense usage.

Overheating can lead to thermal throttling, where the device reduces its performance to cool down, thereby diminishing the gaming experience. Moreover, prolonged exposure to high temperatures can adversely affect the phone’s internal components, potentially shortening its lifespan and leading to hardware malfunctions over time. For avid gamers like myself, this thermal instability is a critical concern that undermines the phone’s primary selling points, highlighting a significant flaw in its design.

Lack of Ultra-Wide Camera

In today’s photography-centric world, an ultra-wide camera lens has become almost an indispensable feature in many smartphones. It enables users to capture expansive landscapes, include more subjects in a single frame, and experiment with creative angles. The iQOO Z9, however, conspicuously lacks an ultra-wide camera in its setup.

This omission is a significant drawback for photography enthusiasts who value versatility in their camera systems. Without an ultra-wide lens, users are confined to standard and telephoto shots, which limits creative potential and makes it challenging to capture certain types of scenes effectively. For individuals like me who prioritize a comprehensive camera array, the absence of an ultra-wide lens is a dealbreaker, prompting consideration of alternative devices that offer a more versatile photographic toolkit.

Slow Internal Storage (UFS 2.2)

The internal storage technology is the bedrock of any smartphone’s performance, and the iQOO Z9 is equipped with UFS 2.2, which, while serviceable, is noticeably lagging behind the newer UFS 3.0 or 3.1 standards prevalent in contemporary smartphones. This slower storage speed creates bottlenecks, especially when paired with the Mediatek Dimensity 7200 processor.

In my experience, tasks such as app loading, data transfers, and multitasking are marred by lag, resulting in a less responsive and fluid user experience. For power users like myself who demand swift performance and seamless multitasking capabilities, the Z9’s outdated storage technology is a significant impediment, curtailing the device’s overall efficiency and speed.

Inadequate Fast Charging (44W)

In our fast-paced world, fast charging is an essential feature for many smartphone users. The iQOO Z9 supports 44W fast charging, which, while respectable, feels increasingly inadequate in 2024. Competing devices offer more rapid charging speeds, allowing users to replenish their batteries more swiftly and get back to using their phones without prolonged downtime.

Personally, the Z9’s 44W charging fell short of my expectations, particularly when juxtaposed with the rapid charging capabilities of other high-end smartphones. This slower charging speed translates to longer wait times to reach a full battery, which can be inconvenient for those like me who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day and need quick recharges to stay powered up.

Conclusion

While the iQOO Z9 positions itself as a formidable contender in the fiercely competitive smartphone arena, particularly with its gaming-centric features and sleek design, I believe it’s crucial to approach it with a discerning eye. The device is fraught with a plethora of drawbacks that can significantly impact the user experience, ranging from camera limitations and performance inconsistencies to thermal issues and inadequate charging speeds.

For users who prioritize high-end photography, seamless performance, and robust durability, the Z9 might not fully satisfy your expectations. Additionally, those who seek a versatile camera system or demand the latest in storage technology and fast charging may find themselves yearning for more.

Ultimately, the iQOO Z9 serves as a poignant reminder that no smartphone is devoid of its flaws. It’s imperative for potential buyers like myself to weigh these cons alongside the device’s strengths to make an informed decision that aligns with our specific needs and preferences. If you’re someone who’s fatigued by the incessant positive chatter and is in search of a more balanced, honest assessment, the iQOO Z9’s drawbacks underscore the importance of looking beyond the surface and critically evaluating a device’s true performance in real-world scenarios.

Nevertheless, if you’ve weighed all these drawbacks. Still wish to go with the purchase, congratulations! You’re making a considered decision that you won’t regret.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp5lq6Zc1HA&pp=ygUOaVFPTyBaOSByZXZpZXc%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jhA0GQe0l0&pp=ygUOaVFPTyBaOSByZXZpZXc%3D