The mid-range phone market is getting more competitive these days and the iQOO Z11 comes at a perfect time as an example of how a brand can bring premium features to the more affordable segment. The main focus is clearly on consistent performance and long-lasting battery which makes it a major value-add. This review will show you how this phone combines durability and performance in a practical mid-range package.
specification
IQOO Z11
AMOLED screen, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR
800 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 5000 nits (peak)
6.83″ 1260 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi)
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor
1 x 2.7 GHz Kryo Prime chip
3 x 2.4 GHz Kryo Gold
4 x 1.8 GHz Kryo Silver
Adreno 810 Graphics Chip
RAM 8/12GB
Virtual RAM (+12GB RAM)
Internal Load 256 UFS 3.1
Main Camera 50 MP (wide) PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens
32 MP Front Camera
Si/C Li-Ion 9020 mAh battery
90W wired
SIM/Telephony Dual SIM Nano /5G
NFC Yes
Infrared Yes
Waterproof IP68/69
Scanning System Fingerprint Scan
Face Scan
Selling Price RM1899 (8/256)
RM2199 (12/256)
Usage Experience
Day after day, iQOO continues to launch new models, and this time the focus is on the Z series. For those who are familiar with this brand, you will be aware that performance and durability have always been the main identity of iQOO. The Z series has been developed from the beginning to offer a balance between power and long-lasting battery while trying to win the hearts of users in the increasingly competitive mid-range segment.
When you have the opportunity to hold the iQOO Z11, the first thing that stands out is the change in its design. This phone comes with flat panels on the front, sides and back, while the corners are rounded to provide comfort when held. Compared to the previous Z generation which tended to have a curved design, this time it appears more modern and neat. In fact, this approach is reminiscent of the Numeral series concept which emphasizes premium style with a focus on processing power and the latest technology.
For those who like a flat style, the iQOO Z11 is a perfect fit. When held, this phone feels comfortable as if it was designed to sit neatly in the hand. The back and frame are made of polycarbonate, making it lightweight and easy to carry anywhere. Although practical, it is a little less premium than competitors that use glass or metal. However, this cost-effective approach does not affect daily comfort, but rather makes it more friendly for everyday use.
The iQOO Z11 comes in two color options, Glacier White and Cosmic Black. Both look elegant and safe, suitable for users who want a simple style. However, iQOO can actually be bolder by introducing fresh colors that can attract the attention of young people and give a more prominent identity to the Z series.
Previously, the Z7 5G and Z9x series have come with pop color options such as Orange and Green. Such colors not only give a fresher look, but also make the phone more recognizable and feel unique compared to other competitors. If this approach is brought back, the Z series will not only look simple, but also stylish with a clearer personality.
The iQOO Z11 retains the standard layout. The power and volume buttons are placed on the right side while the top houses the microphone hole and speaker grille. The left side is left empty. At the bottom there is a dual SIM slot, another microphone hole, a USB-C port and a second speaker grille. There are no other additional buttons provided, making the design simple and easy to understand.
From my experience, the iQOO Z11's layout feels familiar but easy to understand, so it doesn't take long to get used to it. All the buttons are in the same location as most iQOO devices and are easy to reach with one hand. Although there are no additional buttons that might add functionality, this simple approach makes for a neater and less cluttered use. Overall, the layout is practical and user-friendly as everything is in an easy-to-reach place.
The only thing that catches the eye this time is that iQOO finally brings a stereo audio system. This is clearly an improvement over the Z10 which was still mono. When watching videos or playing games, the sound feels more balanced with clear mids. However, the bass is a bit weak and sometimes the sound can crack when the volume level is turned up too high.
However, for daily use the quality is sufficient and feels better than the previous generation. In addition, I appreciate the IP68 and IP69 water resistance features which give additional confidence, as if this phone is built to last. In terms of security, the presence of a fingerprint scanner and face scanning makes accessing the device feel fast and secure.
This year the screen feels larger with a 6.83-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1.5K. In terms of experience, it offers the usual features of an AMOLED panel with vivid colors, deep blacks and good contrast. Whether watching videos, playing games or scrolling through social media, this display is able to provide consistent satisfaction.
In addition, the refresh rate has also been increased from 120Hz on the Z10 to 144Hz on the iQOO Z11. While this increase sounds impressive, the difference in daily use is not that noticeable because scrolling through apps or websites already feels smooth at 120Hz.
Additionally, not all apps support 144Hz, making the normal experience difficult to distinguish except for users who are used to high refresh rate devices. However, the real advantage is clear when playing games that support high frame rates, where 144Hz provides more responsive animations and smoother image movement, thus making the gaming experience more immersive.
From experience, the 144Hz setting on the iQOO Z11 is not just a gimmick because it has an effect in certain situations. The benefits are more obvious since this device is intended for gaming and the impact is felt by hardcore users. For daily use, 120Hz is sufficient, but 144Hz still adds a little smoothness that makes the screen feel more modern and exclusive.
Internal Hardware – Snapdragon 7s Gen 4
iQOO Z11 comes with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip paired with 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. This combination is powerful enough for daily tasks as well as games. Furthermore, 12GB of virtual RAM is enabled by default to support multitasking although it cannot be modified by the user. At the same time, the absence of a microSD slot means that the storage capacity is fixed and cannot be expanded.
Oppo Reno15 – Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (4nm)
Vivo V70 – Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (4nm)
Realme 16 Pro+ – Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (4nm)
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro – Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 (4nm)
Poco X8 Pro – Dimensity 8500 Ultra (4 nm)
AnTuTu 3D
Score Device
IQOO Z11 1,152,162
Oppo Reno15 1,412,018
Vivo V70 1,464,284
Realme 16 Pro+ 1,424,007
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro 1,408,711
Poco X8 Pro 2,086,502
Geekbench 6
Single Core Multi Core Device
IQOO Z11 1207 2799
Oppo Reno15 1280 3857
Vivo V70 1361 4181
Realme 16 Pro+ 1337 4132
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro 1282 3907
Poco X8 Pro 1721 6340
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Chip Score
IQOO Z11 1117
Oppo Reno15 2082
Vivo V70 2093
Realme 16 Pro+ 2108
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro 1993
Poco X8 Pro 4120
The experience of using this device feels stable enough for daily use. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip used is able to provide adequate balance for ordinary users although it is not a flagship chip. For a mid-range phone, it is enough to offer smooth and reliable performance. Technically, this chip does not provide a huge leap compared to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 in the IQOO Z10 but it is still considered a useful small improvement. The gaming experience shows clearer graphics with stable frame rates. For daily tasks such as social media, multitasking and camera, everything runs smoothly without interruption.
Internal Software – OriginOS 6 (Android 16)
iQOO Z11 uses OriginOS 6 based on Android 16. This system is an upgrade from Android 15 and Funtouch OS. OriginOS 6 on this device is not just a change in appearance, but also offers a more practical experience. The interface feels modern, consistent and user-friendly, making daily use smoother and more comfortable.
Furthermore, vivo has now abandoned Funtouch OS and all devices including the iQOO series now use OriginOS. This change makes the entire ecosystem more consistent and in line with their new direction. This in turn provides a more comprehensive and uniform user experience across devices.
So, what is offered this time? Smoother animation transitions through the use of the Blue River Engine which makes the interface more efficient and allows applications to open quickly and the system feels responsive. The Lock Screen has also been updated with a translucent Liquid Glass design which allows the clock to be moved to any part of the screen. Depth Effect Wallpapers support along with full album art display while music is playing provides a new viewing experience.
The quick settings panel and main display are now redesigned more freely. Users can resize them to their liking, while icons and widgets come in a translucent style with neat curved edges. Origin Island also functions as a Dynamic Island that will display current updates such as delivery status, timer, music and notifications without having to open the full application. All of this makes use easier and the experience feels modern.
AI features now provide added value in daily use. Among the available functions are AI Reflection Removal for photos, while AI Live Cutout and AI Erase simplify the image editing process. In addition, there are also AI Translation, AI Transcript, AI Call Translation and AI Note Assist that support smart notes. Meanwhile, notifications and widgets can be arranged in an overlapping manner to make the display more tidy. Finally, iQOO Z11 will receive three Android version updates along with five years of security patches.
Camera and Image Quality
Using the iQOO Z11 camera provides a good experience for daily use even though it is not a perfect camera system. The image results are still convincing, especially for users who like saturated colors and high contrast. Overall, the color profile provided reminds me of the style commonly offered on vivo and iQOO devices before. Therefore, for those who have used vivo phones, the difference can be said to be almost non-existent.
Each image produced has high contrast with more saturated colors. This makes the image look more vivid and vibrant. When tested in low light conditions, the image still retains sufficient details. The colors remain saturated and the contrast remains high. In addition, the noise at night is not too noticeable, thus providing results that are still acceptable for daily use.
The results look neat and orderly even though only using 1x and 2x focal lengths. This is because the rest is just a relatively limited digital zoom. This situation shows that the iQOO Z11 camera is still able to provide satisfactory results for daily use. In addition, it is suitable for those who like images with a more dramatic color style.
For portrait mode, the experience is quite mixed. The bokeh produced is indeed satisfactory because the background looks beautifully blurred. However, the separation of the subject's edges is sometimes less neat. In situations where the background is brighter than the skin tone, the separation accuracy becomes weak. However, the autofocus works well and consistently just like the main camera. Therefore, the portrait results are still acceptable for daily use.
Overall, the iQOO Z11 camera feels practical for daily use. It is capable of producing images with vibrant colors and high contrast. Despite the limitations in digital zoom and portrait mode accuracy, its performance is still satisfactory in most situations. In short, this camera is not the best on the market, but it is well balanced for the mid-range and suitable for users who want consistent results without having to do a lot of additional settings.
Battery and Fast Charging
The experience of using the iQOO Z11 with a 9200mAh battery feels convincing. At first, there was a little skepticism because a large capacity on paper does not necessarily guarantee real durability. However, after a few days of use, it is clear that it makes a difference. In one session, this phone was able to last up to 22 hours 39 minutes after a full charge with almost 9 hours of SOT while the battery was still 29%. In another situation, it recorded almost 10 hours of SOT with 37%. There was also use of more than 8 hours of SOT with the battery still 52%.
The battery life of this phone is not just a number on paper but feels good in daily routine. Throughout the use for long video calls, replying to messages, taking photos, watching videos including Netflix, using maps for navigation and playing the occasional game, the battery is able to give confidence without having to worry about finding a charger every few hours. With a capacity of 9200mAh, the battery of this phone is not only large but also smart in power management. This combination provides a solid usage experience while ensuring that performance and energy efficiency remain intact.
What's In The Box
Here are the contents included with the unit:
1 × IQOO Z11 5G.
1 × 90W USB-A charging head
1 × USB-A to USB-C cable.
1 × Silicone case.
1 × User manual.
1 × SIM ejector.
Conclusion
The iQOO Z11 offers convincing battery life for those who want a long-lasting phone without having to charge it frequently. It is ideal for active users such as gamers or field workers who are on the move and don't want to rely on a power bank. With a 9200mAh battery and efficient power management, this phone gives you confidence to use it all day long.
However, for those who care about premium cameras or flagship chips, there are still other options that are more suitable. For example, the Poco X8 Pro Max comes with a 9000mAh battery and 100W charging while the iQOO Z11x offers a 7200mAh battery at a more user-friendly price. It's easy to say, the iQOO Z11 is a balanced choice in the mid-range with a focus on battery and durability, making it a practical phone for everyday use.
Advantages
9200mAh battery that can be used all day long.
90W fast charging to reduce waiting times.
144Hz AMOLED display with a smooth and responsive screen.
Slim design and equipped with IP69 resistance.
Support for 3 Android version updates and 5 years of security.
Cons
Average camera with no telephoto or ultra-wide support.
Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip with only average performance.
Stereo audio is less than satisfactory for entertainment experience.
Limited storage options depending on the variant offered.
