In 2023, the iQoo 11 5G will be the first premium Android smartphone available in India. The iQoo 9T, which was introduced the year before, has been replaced by this new phone. As the world’s fastest Android phone, the iQoo 11 5G is driven by Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 system-on-chip. The phone’s high-end features don’t stop with its 2K AMOLED screen, 50-megapixel main camera, and 120W rapid charging capability.
While the new phone may have certain “pro” capabilities, updates will still cost you. The iQoo 11 5G has a much higher price tag than its predecessor, the iQoo 11. Should you buy the iQoo 11 5G now, or hold out till additional high-end smartphones are released? Here is our in-depth research to help you make a choice.
The iQoo 11 5G’s Indian retail price
The iQoo 11 5G is now available in two distinct models. There is 256 GB of UFS 4.0 storage and 8 GB of LPDDR5X RAM in the basic model. The price tag is a reasonable Rs. 59,999. Priced at Rs. 64,999, the device under evaluation here boasts 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. Those who pay using an HDFC Bank or ICICI Bank card can save Rs. 5,000 as part of the launch deals.
The iQoo 11 5G’s screen and build
The iQoo 11 5G may be purchased in two distinct colours and coatings. The Legend model was sent to us, and it includes a classic white back panel with a racing stripe design inspired by BMW Motorsport. This particular variant incorporates both silicone leather and fibreglass. The phone is visually appealing and has an energising feel in the hand. The Alpha colour option with a glass back is a more secure option for individuals who prefer the standard black. Both have metal frames, which makes them more sturdy and gives them a more expensive look.
Due to its excessive height, this phone requires two hands to use. About 8.72 millimetres of thickness might be expected. The phone’s power button and volume rocker are located on the right side of the device. Despite coming in at a heavy 205g, the phone is surprisingly light. If you’re used to a lighter smartphone, the weight difference will be immediately noticeable.
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Features
A 6.78-inch AMOLED display at 2K resolution graces the face of the iQoo 11 5G. The screen’s rich hues and dark shadows provide for a fantastic viewing experience. The cherry on top is the added features package that enhances the multimedia experience. Features such as a maximum brightness of 1800 nits and support for WideVine L1 and HDR10 content in applications like Netflix are a few examples (for use outdoors, in direct sunlight).
The iQoo 11 5G’s display dynamically switches between 1Hz and 144Hz, depending on the material being shown. Most of the applications I tested ran at 120 fps, so it’s encouraging to see that iQoo is working on improvements that will make it possible to run them at 144 fps. Smart Switch, which automatically modifies the refresh rate in response to changes in system power consumption and actual use conditions, is the one I found myself using most often. Oddly, a few apps, like Twitter and Instagram, had UI lag. The iQoo 11 5G’s AMOLED screen is surrounded by minimal bezels. The refresh rate can also be set to High, as an alternative to the Standard option (60Hz) (up to 144Hz).
Information about the hardware and software of the iQoo 11 5G
The iQoo 11 5G is the first smartphone in India to employ Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC, as has been widely reported. An additional feature is the Vivo V2 processor, which was developed with a focus on gaming, screen resolution, and imaging quality. Compared to the iQoo 9T, which has a 4,700mAh battery, this phone’s battery has 5,000mAh. A 120W quick charger is included in the package.
Both an artificial intelligence (AI) facial recognition system and a quick and fast in-display fingerprint scanner are available. Various wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.3, USB Type-C, GPS, and more are included. The iQoo 11 5G’s absence of an IP certification and wireless charging feature are both disappointing.
The iQoo 11 5G ships with Android 13, the latest version of the operating system. Vivo’s Funtouch OS 13 is installed on top of it. Backgrounds, app icon size and shape, and animations are just some of the personalization options made available by the custom skin. In addition, the Funtouch OS 13 system’s general colour is adjusted according to the wallpaper or theme chosen by the user, thanks to its support for the system UI colour palette feature introduced in Android 13.
Funtouch OS allows users to create “guest accounts,” which allow other people to use their device without access to the user’s personal information. It’s not dissimilar to the user profiles maintained by services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, where subscribers keep track of the shows they’ve seen and other preferences they’ve indicated. To protect their personal information, those who often lend their phones to others may appreciate this feature.
how well the iQoo 11 5G performs and how long its battery lasts
The iQoo 11 5G features a robust Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC. For everyday tasks or game play, I had zero latency when using the device. In spite of having both the graphic quality and the frame rate set to “Very High” and “Max,” Call of Duty: Mobile still ran well. Not even after a few bouts, each of which lasted around 20 minutes, did the phone get as hot as I had feared it would. In addition, I tried out Asphalt 9 Legends, and found that it, too, ran well and without any hiccups or delays.
The iQoo 11 5G purportedly supports games that require a higher frame rate with a function called frame rate interpolation. Under “Ultra Game,” players can select between Battery Saver, Balanced, and Monster power modes. Balanced mode strikes a decent mix between performance and battery life, while Monster mode unleashes the SoC’s maximum capability at the sacrifice of battery life.
I ran a few tests on the iQoo 11 5G to see whether it could get the manufacturer-claimed AnTuTu score of 13,23,820. Our evaluation unit only managed an AnTuTu score of 12,63,366, which is much lower than the advertised value. In spite of it, it is one of the top scores we have recorded. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC-powered Asus ROG Phone 6 (Review) falls short of the iQoo 11 5G by a respectable margin. As for Geekbench, the iQoo 11 5G scored 884 and 3099, respectively, on both the single-core and multi-core tests.
Verdict
Beginning in 2023, the iQoo 11 5G will be expected of all Android flagship devices. Even though taste in design is subjective, I found the Legend edition’s faux-leather back to be quite appealing. Having only two colours is fairly limiting, so I’m hoping iQoo will experiment with other colour schemes. The phone has everything else you might want, including a great screen, solid performance, and a lengthy battery life. The 11 5G is penalised since it does not support wireless charging and is not IP certified.
The primary camera works and has several neat features including a night-vision video mode. The Rs. 64,999 phone, however, should have had a more capable ultra-wide camera. The iQoo 9 Pro (Review) boasts a superior camera setup at a lower price, making it a more compelling option. Even if you’re not a numbers person, the iQoo 9 Pro’s wireless charging and improved Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner make it an excellent buy.
