When Qualcomm unveiled the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip with no thermal issues, it was only a matter of time before companies like iQOO and OnePlus would jump on this opportunity. While the OnePlus 10T is already available in India, iQoo has released the iQOO 9T. This is a phone that combines the best features of the iQOO 9 series with the brilliance and performance of the latest 8+ Gen 1 processor.
If you are looking for a solid phone under $650, the 9T might be a great option for you.
Operation One has been scoping out and trying to find out more about this phone and see if it suits you.
iQOO 9T specifications:
6.78-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, HDR10+ | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, up to 12 GB RAM, 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage | Android 12 with FuntouchOS 12 | 50 MP + 13 MP + 12 MP camera on the back, 16 MP camera on the front | 4700mAh battery + 120W fast charging
Display
If you are a gamer or just love big screens, the iQOO 9T is perfect for you! Not only does it have plenty of space between the edges, but it also has vibrant colors and great contrast.
Although this 120Hz panel is not an LTPO 2.0 panel like the iQOO 9 Pro, which could cause the phone’s screen to flicker between 1Hz and 120Hz, you can still use a lock that keeps the screen at 60Hz or 120Hz. You also get a smart mode switch with it that automatically switches between these two values.
Design
While the less bright Alpha Black shade is also quite attractive, the Legend White we have here is an eye-catcher, similar to the iQoo 9 Pro. This design has both distinction and boldness, with distinctive BMW stripes and a huge camera island that smacks of the OnePlus 8T CyberPunk Edition.
The iQOO 9T also has a metal frame and glass sandwich design, unlike the similar OnePlus 10T. It’s always nice when a cheaper phone doesn’t skimp in these areas; the iQOO 9T doesn’t disappoint here.
Performance
The iQOO 9T is practically one of the best performing phones on the market, and that’s no surprise. With its impressive specifications, the phone can handle any task, whether it’s a demanding game or a simple everyday application. I have tried numerous “heavier” games on the iQOO 9T, all of which ran smoothly on maximum graphics. If you play an app like BGMI with smooth graphics, you can also play for longer periods without the phone getting too hot – something that will please both experienced users and gamers.
Some of the other phone features were great too. The interface was fast, the stereo speakers had good balance and volume, and the on-screen fingerprint scanner was accurate and fast. However, it is still not as good as the large ultrasonic sensor on the iQOO 9 Pro (which is arguably one of the best fingerprint sensors on a smartphone).
Battery life
If you don’t plan on gaming too much on the iQOO 9T, the 4,700 mAh battery will last a full day under moderate to heavy use. However, if you do frequent gaming or with maximum graphics and sound turned on, expect the phone to be empty after only a day. The 120 W quick charger is a redeeming feature, allowing you to charge your phone quickly. If the battery is completely dead, a 10-minute charge will give it back 40% of its life – which is not bad. Unfortunately, there is no wireless charging option.
Cameras
The cameras on the iQOO 9T are pretty good. For a phone that focuses on performance and gaming, it manages to take above-average photos. The telephoto camera is much more useful here than a 2MP macro/depth sensor. The main camera takes mostly sharp photos with accurate colors in daylight, and the images don’t look over-processed. Performance at night and in low or indoor light is not the best, but still decent Photos taken under these conditions still have reasonable detail and low noise levels overall.
The image quality of the ultra-wide-angle camera is quite good, comparable to that of the main sensor. There is no significant difference between pictures taken with either camera. The only time the ultra-wide-angle camera lags behind is in low light, when it does not perform as well as the main sensor. Front camera performance was about average – reasonable detail and reasonably accurate skin tones.
On the back end, the iQOO 9T can record videos up to 4K 60 fps (1080p 60 fps with Ultra stabilization on) and 1080p 30 fps. If you also want to use the ultra wideview camera, you should note that you can only record 1080p 30fps videos, and if you start a clip at 1080p 60fps or 4K 30/60fps, you cannot switch to the ultra wideview camera halfway through. There is also a dual-view mode that allows you to record with both cameras simultaneously.
Buy or leave it?
Without cuts in design and build quality, powerful internal controls and capable cameras, it’s hard to believe the iQOO 9T isn’t a full-fledged flagship. Although the phone’s performance is more or less comparable to other Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 devices, the 9T has an edge over phones like the OnePlus 10T. This is all thanks to a well-rounded camera setup and a sturdier, premium metal frame design, not to mention spectacular looks.
This device is currently according to Operation Men perhaps the best phone under €650.00 for “gamers” and experienced users, so well worth considering!
