The iQOO 9 Pro is a brand new gaming smartphone with BMW M branding from Vivo. Last 12 months AndroidHeadlines reviewed the iQOO Legend 7 BMW Edition. The iQOO 9 Pro is the more moderen model of that smartphone for 2022.
Let’s say you wish to have a gaming smartphone in 2022 however don’t need the RGB lighting fixtures or loopy emblems and unwieldy ergonomics. Well, you might be in success for the reason that iQOO 9 Pro has the efficiency chops however seems very just like a contemporary non-gaming smartphone.
Unboxing revel in may be very acquainted
The outer field seems just about similar to closing 12 months’s software. There is now one vertical strip with knowledge at the entrance and iQOO 9 Pro branding at the two facets. Otherwise, the whole thing seems identical to prior to.
Inside the field is an insert with a BMW postcard. Then there’s the phone with the BMW M pink, black, and blue stripe. There is a case that fits the again quilt of the phone completely with an insert conserving the SIM software. Underneath, you get a 120W fast-charging brick, an overly hefty USB-C cable, and a headphone jack dongle. As standard, there’s a movie display protector at the phone direct from the manufacturing unit.
While the unboxing revel in is also an identical, two issues soar out straight away. There is a a lot better case and the 120W fast-charging brick.
iQOO 9 Pro is one of the best-designed smartphones of 2022
This software is these days my favourite so far as distinctive seems cross in 2022. So a ways, a few dozen smartphones have proven up for overview in 2022 because of CES and MWC. The iQOO 9 Pro is most definitely the best looking one of the bunch in my non-public opinion.
The Carbon fiber texture at the again quilt is very good
The again quilt has a carbon fiber texture and offers very good grip and hides fingerprints. Heck, even the manufacturing unit case has the similar BMW stripe and texture. This guarantees that you’re going to have a very good grip without or with the case whilst the usage of the iQOO 9 Pro.
Besides the BMW stripe, there’s a massive oblong island housing the digital camera array. Because the digital camera module array is so massive, there’s minimum wobble when resting on a flat floor which is a superb factor.
The iQOO 9 Pro’s design language is blank, uncluttered, and stylish looking
The iQOO 9 Pro has blank strains, a matte end at the aluminum body, and forged construct high quality and not using a evident creaks or rattles. There is a unmarried speaker grille at the backside with the USB-C charging port and a round cutout for the microphone in conjunction with the dual-SIM tray slot. On the right-hand aspect is the blue button that’s textured to distinguish it from the amount rocker. Moving to the highest we see the IR blaster and the second one microphone. The left-hand aspect rail is blank with the exception of a pair of antenna strains.
On the entrance, you get the 6.78-inch curved LTPO AMOLED show. The bezels are small throughout, in conjunction with a tiny cutout for the selfie digital camera. And above the selfie digital camera is a skinny speaker grille for the highest earpiece speaker.
There is not any formal IP score even supposing the SIM card tray is safe through a rubber gasket. My considering is this software will have to live to tell the tale minor splashing however not anything greater than that. The phone’s haptics are ok, however they really feel a bit of susceptible compared to different flagships. This is a bit of baffling because the haptics at the Legend 7 have been exemplary.
One large wonder is the extraordinarily instant and dependable ultrasonic fingerprint scanner beneath the show. The iQOO 9 professional makes use of Qualcomm’s new sonic fingerprint technology and, I should say, it really works truly neatly. I’m hoping that different smartphone producers observe iQOO and enforce this on their units quickly.
The Large LTPO AMOLED show is superb for gaming or streaming
I feel flat shows are higher for taking part in video games which is what the Legend 7 had. So this can be a bit sudden to look a curved LTPO AMOLED display at the iQOO 9 Pro. Don’t get me improper, the 6.78-inch 3200×1440 WQHD show is vibrant and vibrant. However, there’s a bit of colour fringing on the lengthy edges when looking on the software sideways. And the unlucky factor is that whenever you see it, this can be a bit tough to unsee it.
In some sense, it looks like two steps ahead – better display, smaller bezels – and one step again – curved edges with colour distortion. Another quirky selection is the use of Panda Glass to offer protection to the show in lieu of Corning Gorilla Glass. Despite this, I didn’t see any affect in phrases of contact sensitivity throughout my overview duration or any slowdown for the fingerprint scanner.
Performance is admittedly top-notch at the iQOO 9 Pro
The Geekbench 5 rankings for the iQOO 9 Pro are in-line with different flagship units working the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. My overview unit additionally has 12GB LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 garage. During day-to-day use, I didn’t see one hiccup or slowdown throughout the overview duration. Also, there used to be no perceptible temperature upward push throughout customary use – surfing, streaming, taking footage.
To take a look at gaming efficiency I loaded Genshin Impact at the iQOO 9 Pro. And best after I performed this recreation I may just really feel the phone heating up relatively. However, throughout a 40-minute gaming consultation, it didn’t transform bothersome in any respect. The different two units with the similar processor and no less than 12GB RAM – the RedMagic 7 and Xiaomi 12 Pro – heated up relatively. So I’d say that iQOO has completed a excellent activity of thermal control with this smartphone.
While we’re discussing gaming efficiency, I will have to will let you know that the iQOO 9 Pro handles Genshin Impact simply on the absolute best graphics settings. So in case you in fact get this software essentially for gaming, you aren’t going to be dissatisfied. For the overview, I grew to become on Monster Mode from the Quick Settings for max gaming efficiency.
The Software at the iQOO 9 Pro is Android 12
My overview software is working AmusingTouch OS12 in keeping with Android 12 and the January 2022 safety replace. AmusingTouch OS stocks so much of options with ColorOS which we simply reviewed at the Oppo Find X5 Pro.
Despite this being any other Android pores and skin, there’s fairly a bit of of similarity to what you get at once from Google. For instance, a left swipe from the house display brings up Google Discover feed which is analogous to what I see on my Pixel 6. Phone, Messages, and different Google apps are usual. There is a minimum quantity of bloatware; some of which you’ll be able to uninstall and a few that you’ll be able to’t. You can’t uninstall V-Appstore and the ‘Hot Apps’ and ‘Hot Games’ folders. But you’ll be able to simply take away them from the house display and allow them to are living within the app drawer. Thankfully, there weren’t any advertisements stoning up mechanically throughout my overview time with the iQOO 9 Pro.
The Settings menu seems a bit of other from Google or even from Oppo’s ColorOS. The one quirk this is frustrating is the quantity of occasions it’s important to agree to make use of a carrier or app in this software. I feel it’s because this software is made particularly for the Indian marketplace. And sure, this software has the V-Appstore in conjunction with Google Play to obtain apps. I counsel you keep on with the Google Play retailer if you select to get the iQOO 9 Pro.
Long-term instrument beef up is questionable
I’m type of a bit of ambivalent in opposition to the whole instrument revel in. It is instant and fluid for probably the most phase, with none advertisements or over the top bloatware. But even supposing the phone is working Android 12, there is not any beef up for Material You, dynamic theme within the UI, and even the Google Apps.
My largest fear alternatively is long-term instrument beef up for this smartphone. I nonetheless have the iQOO Legend 7 from closing 12 months, and it has but to obtain a unmarried replace (together with safety patch) since release. So I counsel you stay this in thoughts prior to deciding to shop for the iQOO 9 Pro.
Blazing Fast Charging Speeds – Wired or Wireless
One nice improve with the more moderen iQOO 9 Pro is the 4,700 mAh battery by contrast with the 4,000 mAh at the earlier model. The better battery coupled with the more moderen extra environment friendly Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and LTPO AMOLED show leads to persistently excellent battery lifestyles. Moderate use leads to charging each different day. Even with heavy use, it’s simple to head from daybreak to nighttime with out toggling on battery saver options. For my overview duration, I left the variable refresh charge on in conjunction with the show on the FHD+ answer.
And when you want to fee the software, it comes with a 120W fast-charging brick within the field. I wasn’t ready to make use of the India-specific brick right here in the United States. But I do have a 65W GaN Aukey charger which did peak up the phone fairly abruptly. On paper, iQOO claims that you’ll be able to fee the 9 Pro from 0 to 50% in 8 mins and completely fee it in 20 mins which will have to alleviate battery nervousness.
In addition to instant stressed charging, the iQOO 9 Pro additionally helps 50W instant wi-fi charging. Alas, I don’t have a wi-fi charger with greater than 15W charging output. Consequently, I couldn’t take a look at the quick charging occasions. Nevertheless, it’s nice to look wi-fi charging at the iQOO 9 Pro; a function that used to be obviously lacking at the Legend 7.
Camera efficiency is a combined bag at the iQOO 9 Pro
The iQOO 9 Pro has a triple digital camera module at the rear. The major digital camera is a 50MP Samsung GN 5 sensor. Daytime footage are fairly excellent for probably the most phase. I do assume that the colour profile generally is a bit punchier. There is excellent element and sharpness however dynamic vary is missing on occasion.
Portrait mode works neatly whenever you flip off all of the attractiveness results which for some explanation why are all on through default. There are two different problems – one is inconsistent lighting fixtures when taking footage of other folks. And the second one is an entire exchange in center of attention and publicity when photographing topics at lower than one-foot distance.
Nighttime footage are fairly excellent from the principle digital camera and evening mode activates through default relying upon the volume of ambient mild. Again, the colour profile generally is a bit higher. Take a have a look at more than a few digital camera samples in our Flickr gallery underneath.
iQOO 9 Pro Camera Samples – Flickr Gallery
Both ultrawide and telephoto cameras take excellent footage in sunlight however lose element at evening. The 50MP ultrawide is succesful of taking fisheye footage/video which I for my part assume is a pleasing add-on even supposing for probably the most phase this can be a gimmick. The 16MP 3rd digital camera additionally is helping sense intensity however for some explanation why, the blur results aren’t as excellent as what you get with Google or Samsung. Another factor is that the colour profile at the telephoto lens isn’t that fab, particularly at evening.
The major digital camera has gimbal stabilization and shines while taking movies. You can get quite secure video output whilst strolling or jogging the usage of the iQOO 9 Pro because of the stabilized major digital camera. As is normal with maximum smartphones, major digital camera movies are best adopted through ultrawide within the sunlight hours. For evening time I feel it’s best to stay with the principle digital camera so far as video is going.
Audio high quality at the iQOO 9 Pro is excellent sufficient
There are twin stereo audio system at the iQOO 9 Pro. While those sound excellent, they don’t get loud like audio system from Samsung or RedMagic. The high quality of the output is excellent and isn’t very tinny. Yet I simply want that the amount used to be a bit of louder on the most environment.
Audio output by the use of Bluetooth or the USB-C port is very good although. So my recommendation is that you simply use a couple of stressed or wi-fi earbuds if you’ll be able to and use the audio system when the ones aren’t simply inside of succeed in. Calls have been very good in handset and speakerphone mode. So, in phrases of the usage of this phone as a conversation software, there are not any proceedings.
Connectivity used to be excellent taking into consideration this isn’t a USA particular software
Even although the iQOO 9 Pro has the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, there used to be no 5G choice to be had within the community settings. On the opposite hand, once I popped in my T-Mobile SIM card, there used to be a 4G VoLTE sign at the software. It even selected the proper APN settings through default, so I had no problems with calls, texts, or cellular information throughout my overview duration. Of path, information obtain speeds have been horrible however related to my day-to-day motive force Pixel 6. For this, I blame my service’s deficient sign and now not the iQOO 9 Pro.
Besides the mobile connection, the iQOO 9 Pro helps Wi-Fi6, Bluetooth 5.2, and NFC. There’s Nearby Share, Smart Mirroring, OTG, and iQOOshare additionally to be had in conjunction with an IR blaster. From a connectivity point of view, I don’t assume there’s the rest lacking at the 9 Pro.
Final Verdict at the iQOO 9 Pro
If you wish to have a high-end Android smartphone this is distinctive from what you’ll be able to get from Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi, then sure, get the iQOO 9 Pro. If you might be looking for a chic looking gaming smartphone, then additionally the iQOO 9 Pro is a simple selection.
You get chic {hardware}, fluid instrument, excellent thermal control, respectable digital camera efficiency, and ultra-fast stressed and wi-fi charging. Battery lifestyles is fairly excellent and the audio high quality, while now not nice, is fairly respectable.
There are alternatively a couple of downsides. Namely, no IP score and few to no gadget updates. Of path, the most important drawback is availability, as I’m really not certain if this software is to be had broadly outdoor of China or India.
