iQOO 11 Review: Unveiling the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2-Powered Flagship
Before delving into our iQOO 11 review, let's first discuss the powerhouse behind this phone: the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. Qualcomm introduced its flagship mobile processor for 2023 a few months ago, and while it quickly made its way into the Chinese market, it's now gradually appearing on the international scene. In India, the iQOO 11 proudly boasts Qualcomm's latest chip, with prices starting at INR 59,999 for the 8/256GB model and INR 64,999 for the 16/256GB variant.
| Model | iQOO 9 | iQOO 9T | iQOO 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/128GB | INR 42,990 | INR 49,999 | N/A |
| 8/256GB | N/A | INR 59,999 ↑ | |
| 12/256GB | INR 46,990 | INR 54,999 | N/A |
| 16/256GB | N/A | INR 64,999 ↑ |
With the price comparison to its predecessors, the iQOO 9 and the iQOO 10 (disguised as the iQOO 9T in India), it's evident that the iQOO 11 comes with a noticeable price increase, even when considering available bank discounts and other benefits.
Having used the iQOO 11 for several weeks now, I was eager to determine whether it truly delivers a flagship-level experience that justifies its price tag. Or perhaps, competing options like Google's Pixel 7, the latest OnePlus 11, or even last year's iPhone 13 might offer better value. Our iQOO 11 review aims to provide some answers.
iQOO 11 Review: Specifications
- Body: 77.07 x 164.86 x 8.4–8.72mm, 205–208g, Glass front/back, Aluminum frames, Organic silicone leather (Legend finish), No IP rating
- Display: 6.78-inches E6 AMOLED panel, Up to 144Hz refresh rate, 300Hz touch sampling rate, Gorilla Glass Victus, LTPO 4.0, HDR10+
- Resolution: 2K QHD (3200 x 1440 pixels), 517 PPI, 20:9 aspect ratio
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 5G (4nm mobile platform)
- CPU: Octa-core: 1x Cortex-X3 (3.2 GHz), 2x Cortex-A715 (2.8 GHz), 2x Cortex-A710 (2.8 GHz), 3x Cortex-A510 (2.0 GHz)
- GPU: Adreno 740
- Memory: 8/12/16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 128GB UFS 3.1 storage or 256/512GB UFS 4.0 storage (fixed)
- Software & UI: Android 13 with Vivo’s Funtouch OS 13 on top
- Rear Camera: Triple (with dual LED flash);
- Wide: 50MP Samsung ISOCELL GN5, f/1.88, 1/1.57" sensor, OIS
- Ultrawide: 8MP, f/2.2, 120° FoV
- Telephoto: 13MP, f/2.46, 2x optical / 20x digital zoom
- Front Camera: 16MP, f/2.45 sensor (hole-punch cutout)
- Audio: Built-in stereo speakers, No 3.5mm headphone jack
- Security: In-display fingerprint sensor (optical)
- Sensors: Accelerometer, Ambient light, E-compass, Gyroscope, Proximity, Infrared (IR blaster)
- Connectivity: Dual-SIM (Nano), WiFi 6 a/b/g/n/ac/ax (Dual-band), Bluetooth 5.3, GPS / AGPS / Galileo / Glonass / QZSS / Beidou / GNSS / NavIC, USB-C port, NFC, 4G LTE (VoLTE), Dual 5G
- Battery: 5000mAh with 120W fast charging (120W adapter provided)
- Color Options: Legend, Alpha, Isle of Man Special Edition (China only)
- What's Inside The Box: iQOO 11, USB-C to USB-C cable, 120W power adapter, SIM ejector tool, Transparent case, 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, User manual, and other documents
- Price in Nepal: N/A (Starts at INR 59,999 in India)
iQOO 11 Review: Performance
Let's start with the performance aspect, which is arguably the most exciting feature of the iQOO 11. This phone proudly boasts the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, making it the first device in our office to feature this chip. Additionally, iQOO has incorporated the latest memory standards with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.0 storage.
I ran a series of benchmarks on the iQOO 11, and as expected, it excelled in every category, including CPU, GPU, and storage performance. The difference in performance between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and its predecessor is significant, making it one of the most notable generational upgrades from Qualcomm in recent years.
Beyond the benchmarks, the iQOO 11 delivers exceptional real-world performance, especially when it comes to gaming. Unlike previous models, this phone effortlessly handles GPU-intensive games like Genshin Impact, maintaining a steady 60 fps at the highest settings with minimal frame drops. It also manages temperature well during gaming sessions. However, the promise of 144 fps gaming remains unfulfilled, as it struggled to consistently reach that mark in testing.
The iQOO 11 maintains a stable 60 fps in other popular titles like PUBG Mobile, Apex Legends, and Asphalt 9, even at their maximum visual settings. It also offers features like a dual-axis haptics motor for immersive gaming experiences and virtual pressure-sensitive buttons for quick in-game actions.
In everyday use, the iQOO 11 performs smoothly, with reliable memory management and fluid UI thanks to Funtouch OS 13, based on Android 13. However, the software comes with pre-installed bloatware apps that cannot be uninstalled or disabled.
Design and Build
The iQOO 11 boasts an attractive design, featuring a glass front and back, aluminum frames, and an optional organic silicone leather finish (Legend variant). However, it lacks an official IP rating for water and dust resistance. One notable drawback is its wide form factor, making it challenging to use one-handed, especially for individuals with small hands. Additionally, the placement of the in-display fingerprint reader lower down on the screen can be inconvenient.
Display
The phone offers a high-quality display with impressive specifications, including a sharp 2K resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a 300Hz touch sampling rate. The E6 AMOLED panel made by Samsung delivers excellent viewing experiences, with vibrant colors and natural calibration. It also boasts high brightness levels, peaking at 1100 nits for outdoor visibility and 1800 nits for HDR content. However, the claim of a 144Hz display is misleading, as most system and third-party apps are limited to 120Hz.
Battery
Despite the iQOO 11's substantial 5000mAh battery, its endurance falls slightly above average, delivering around 6 to 7 hours of screen-on time with medium usage. However, it supports rapid 120W charging, fully replenishing the battery in approximately 25 minutes. The included charger also supports up to 65W USB-PD and PPS charging protocols, offering versatility.
Cameras
The iQOO 11 features a versatile camera setup, including a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 13MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultrawide sensor (downgraded from a 13MP camera). The front camera is a 16MP shooter in a hole-punch cutout.
The camera performs well during daylight photography, capturing detailed images with good dynamic range. However, default saturation levels can sometimes result in slightly overprocessed images, which can be corrected with the "Natural Color" mode.
All three rear cameras exhibit consistent image processing, offering a unified image style. Portrait mode, however, struggles with aspects such as contrast, exposure handling, depth estimation, and skin tone accuracy.
Selfies turn out well, with balanced compositions and good detail capture. In low-light conditions, the iQOO 11's camera system performs admirably, managing light glares effectively and producing pleasing colors.
The phone supports up to 8K 30 fps video recording, with 4K recording being the practical choice for most users. Videos are stable at both 30 and 60 fps, and you can switch between the main and telephoto cameras while recording. However, selfie video recording options are limited, lacking 1080p/60fps support.
Conclusion
In summary, the iQOO 11 is a compelling phone that excels in performance and gaming. Its display and cameras are impressive, although they may not quite reach flagship-level quality. Despite its strengths, the phone lacks features like an IP rating and wireless charging. Its wider form factor and the absence of a true 144Hz display can be potential downsides.
The dilemma for potential buyers lies in choosing between the iQOO 11 and established brands like Google's Pixel 7 or the iPhone 13, especially considering the price point. While the iQOO 11 offers robust performance and features, the competition from established brands with strong brand value, software experiences, and more versatile camera systems cannot be ignored. Waiting for comparisons with the OnePlus 11 might also be a prudent choice, as it could provide better alternatives in terms of brand reputation and camera versatility.