iQOO first emerged in the smartphone industry as a sub-brand of vivo. Under vivo, the brand brought industry-leading R&D capabilities and supply chains to new customers. The Z series from iQOO stands out as a high-budget option with significant performance capabilities. The latest in the lineup, the Z9x 5G was recently launched on 29th April 2024. Here’s a detailed take on the vivo Z9x 5G. Key Specifications of the vivo iQOO Z9x  Design and Build Quality The Z9x is a plastic-built smartphone all around. However, the sophistication of the design elements makes everything unique about the device. The frosted textured back (“planetary orbit” according to iQOO), the sunburst camera module, and the flat frames make for a stylish design. The dimension of the device comes in at 165.7 mm by 76 mm by 7.99 mm with 199 g weight. As a high-budget smartphone, the headphone jack and the card slot are on the Z9x. The power button doubles as the fingerprint scanner as the screen has no optical sensor. Read more: Xinji Nothing 3 Review: Amoled Smartwatch for 5000 Taka The porthole camera and the slight chin at the bottom of the display are streamlined with previous Z series smartphones. Needless to say, the design has adjusted enough to the changing landscape. The Z9x also boasts IP64 water and dust resistance for accidental splashes. The device is available in two colors, Mystic Black and Northern Green. The Display The display on the Z9x is a 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel with 120Hz high refresh rate and 1000 nits of peak brightness. The FHD+ panel has a resolution of 2408 by 1080 pixels with about 393 ppi density. The relatively smaller chin accounts for an 86.4% screen-to-body ratio. Additionally, the panel boasts about 83% NTSC color saturation. However, it does not support the DCI-P3 color gamut. Read more: Smart Plugs Buyers’ Guide, Price Ranges in Bangladesh in 2024 As a sub-25 K smartphone, the lack of an AMOLED display might be a deal breaker for some. But if you can overlook that, the color accuracy, viewing angles, and overall smoothness of the display are praiseworthy. The Camera There’s a dual camera setup on the Z9x. The main camera is a 50 MP, f/1.8, wide-angle shooter with a 1/1.95" sensor. The secondary sensor is a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. The front camera is a generic 8 MP, f/2.1 sensor. In terms of performance, the Z9x holds up nicely for its price. The pictures taken in the daylight were well-detailed with decent exposure. One thing that stood out was the color vibrancy of the images. Regardless of the subject, the images tend to have a vibrant pop of color. At times, it might look and feel artificial, depending on the subject. Zooming on the images also shows over-sharpening issues at times, even with decent lighting. Read more: 7 Best Smartphones in Tk 35000-45000 Range in July 2024 As for nighttime images, the included night mode is the saving grace here. Pictures with the night mode came out well-exposed and detailed. However, the post-processing produces overall soft images to roll out the grains. As for the front camera, the portrait mode worked well thanks to the dedicated depth sensor. The maximum videography capacity on the iQOO Z9x phone’s rear and front cameras are rated at 4K and 1080P respectively. The gyro-EIS helps slightly to stabilize the footage. But you’ll probably need a dedicated gimbal for proper videography with this camera. Processor and Performance The processor on the Z9x is Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 based on a 4 Nm architecture. The Gen series brought an overhaul in the naming convention, with more or less the same increment as before. The octa-core processor has a chip design of 4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 with Adreno 710 GPU. Read more: Vivo Y28 4G Review: Is it a value-for-money smartphone? In terms of day-to-day use, the Z9x breezes past activities like browsing the web, watching videos, or scrolling social media. Games like PUBG were stable on the Smooth Extreme setup. There weren’t any frame drops unless there were deliberate high graphics usage moments in the game. Genshin Impact was also playable, but it had far more frame drops and jitters compared to PUBG. Highly optimized games like Asphalt 9 and COD ran without any issues. The device did, however, heat up quite a bit in each gaming session. But it didn’t affect the overall performance. Benchmark GeekBench 6: 933 (single core); 2799 (multi-core) Antutu 10: 580645 Software The iQOO Z9x runs on Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14. Funtouch OS came a long way to becoming more optimized and streamlined with the stock Android experience. However, it still has its distinct features, like the app retainer, redesigned split-screen, and media locking. iQOO promises up to 50 months of smooth usage thanks to the newly optimized OS. Read more: OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G Review: Know the Pros and Cons Battery and Charge Time The vivo iQOO Z9x is powered by a large battery featuring 6000 mAh. It’s one of the largest in its class and can be easily topped up using the supported 44W wired charging system. Surprisingly, the Z9x also supports reverse charging, which isn’t all that common in this price range. Pros and Cons of the vivo iQOO Z9x Pros: - IPS LCD panel with 120 Hz high refresh rate- Capable dual camera system- 4K video recording capabilities- Audio jack and extendable micro SDXC- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor- 6000 mAh battery with 44W wired charging- Side-mounted fingerprint scanner- IP64 water and dust resistance. Cons: - No ultrawide or zoom lens- No NFC support- Outdated UFS 2.2 storage system- No rated front glass protection. Read more: Top Home Electronics in Bangladesh for 2024: Simplify Your Life with These Smart Devices Price of the vivo iQOO Z9x  The iQOO Z9x is available in the 8/128 GB variant in India. The price is 16,630 INR (with a discount). It roughly translates to 23,348 BDT (1 INR = 1.40 BDT). Verdict The vivo iQOO Z9x, with its high refresh rate display, dual camera setup, and 5G capabilities, brings a lot to be hopeful about. Especially, its Snapdragon processor performs better than the similarly powered Helio options. On the other hand, minor shortcomings like the lack of a faster read-write speed are the only mentionable drawbacks of the device. On the whole, anyone looking for a solid daily driver with slight gaming capabilities at a budget price can easily pick up the vivo iQOO Z9x 5G. Read more: Honor 200 Pro Review: A Flagship Camera Experience

iQOO, a sub-brand of vivo, produces high-performance devices catering to gamers and tech enthusiasts. The Z Turbo series of iQoo is known for its performance and innovation. Z9 Turbo, the latest addition to this series, debuted on April 29, 2024. Let’s look at the features, pros, cons, and price of the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo in Bangladesh. Key Specifications of the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo Design The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo boasts a standard design with dimensions of 163.7 mm by 76 mm by 8 mm and a weight of 194.9 grams, offering a handy feel despite its large battery. The dual SIM slots support Nano-SIM cards, and the phone is IP64-rated for dust and water resistance. Though it lacks a 3.5 mm audio jack, it features an in-screen fingerprint sensor for easy access. All ports and buttons are strategically placed for user convenience.  The design draws inspiration from the iQOO 12 series, with a rear panel that resembles frosted glass but is made of durable plastic, providing a premium look without the added fragility. Display The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo features a stunning 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1 billion colors, offering an immersive visual experience. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 89.2%, it provides a large viewing area. The 1260 by 2800 pixels resolution ensures good quality images with a pixel density of about 453 ppi.  Read more: Benco V90 Plus Review: A Worthy New Contender in the Budget Smartphone Market The display supports HDR and can reach a peak brightness of 4500 nits, making it easy to view even in bright sunlight. It also has an always-on display feature for quick access to important information.  While the 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and gaming, it may drop to 120Hz or 90Hz for some apps, ensuring optimal performance. The display offers accurate color reproduction and a symmetrical design for a balanced look. Camera The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo is equipped with all the necessary camera features. The main camera setup includes a 50 MP wide lens with an aperture of f/1.8, featuring PDAF and OIS for sharp and stable shots. It is paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens with an aperture of f/2.2 for capturing expansive scenes. Additional camera features include LED flash, panorama, and HDR for enhanced photo quality. The main camera supports video recording in 4K at 30/60fps and 1080p, with gyro-EIS and OIS for smooth and steady footage.  For selfies, the phone has a 16 MP front camera with an aperture of f/2.5, capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps. This combination ensures high-quality photography and videography in various settings. Read more: Honor Pad 9 Tablet: Is It Worth Buying? Performance and Hardware The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo offers top-tier performance with its advanced hardware and software. It runs on Android 14 with OriginOS 4, providing a smooth and user-friendly interface. Powered by the Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset built on a 4 nm process, it features an octa-core CPU composed of one 3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, four 2.8 GHz Cortex-A720, and three 2.0 GHz Cortex-A520 cores. This configuration ensures excellent processing power and efficiency. The Adreno 735 GPU enhances graphics performance, making gaming and multimedia experiences seamless.  Memory options include 256GB or 512GB of internal storage, paired with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM, and it uses UFS 4.0 technology for fast data transfer. Overall, the iQOO Z9 Turbo delivers exceptional speed and performance. Battery and Charger The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo is equipped with a robust 6000 mAh non-removable battery, ensuring extended usage without frequent recharges.  It supports 80W wired charging, allowing for rapid power-ups to keep you connected and productive throughout the day. Additionally, the phone features 7.5W reverse wired charging, enabling it to share power with other devices, making it convenient for on-the-go charging needs.  Read more: Tecno Camon 30 Review: Know the Pros and Cons The large battery capacity, combined with efficient charging technologies, ensures that the iQOO Z9 Turbo offers reliable performance and long-lasting power, ideal for heavy users and gamers who demand consistent and dependable battery life. Pros and Cons of The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo Pros - 5G and NFC-enabled- Android 14 OS with OriginOS 4- FHD AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate- 4500 nits brightness- Always-on display- IP64 dust and water resistance- 4K video recording with gyro-EIS and OIS- 6000 mAh battery with 80W fast charging- 7.5W reverse wired charging- Stereo speakers- Infrared port- Excellent gaming and multitasking performance. Read more: vivo Y18 Review: A Budget-friendly Phone with Standard Features Cons - No wireless charging- Selfie camera limited to 1080p videos- No optical zoom camera- No secondary card slot- No audio jack. Price of the vivo iQoo Z9 Turbo in Bangladesh vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo is available for around BDT 42000 in Bangladesh. However, the price is subject to change. Conclusion The vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo speaks for itself in the mid-budget range with its design, AMOLED display, and performance. Key features include an FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a 50 MP main camera, and a powerful Snapdragon chipset. The phone runs on Android 14 with OriginOS 4 and offers substantial memory options. The extra-large battery supports fast charging and reverse-wired charging, making it ideal for heavy users.  Despite lacking wireless charging, optical zoom, and a secondary card slot, the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo excels in gaming, multitasking, and overall functionality. Read more: Honor Magic 6 Pro: Is It a Value for Money Smartphone?

vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has hit the market with its latest model iQOO Z9. It was released on 12th March 2014 in India. For its reputation as a value-for-money smartphone provider, iQOO has made a lot of traction in the market. Is the newest model up to that par? Let’s find out the features, pros, cons and price of vivo iQOO Z9. Key Specs of vivo iQOO Z9 Design The iQOO Z9 boasts a 163.17 mm by 75.81 mm by 7.83 mm solid build, featuring IP54 dust, and water resistance. It weighs 188g. Its matte back panel and frame resist fingerprints, providing a comfortable, non-slippery grip. However, the flat sides may occasionally feel sharp against your palms.  The device comes in Brushed Green and Graphene Blue colours, with a distinctive feather-like pattern on the back. The rear camera module, housing two cameras and dual flash, sits on the top left, while the power button and volume rocker are on the right. At the bottom, you'll find the USB-C charging port, speaker, and SIM/SD card tray.  Read more: vivo iQOO 12 Review: Flagship Killer or a Flagship Itself? The front display offers slim bezels, except for a thicker chin. It features an in-display fingerprint sensor, though not the fastest in its price range. While the plastic build feels sturdy, competitors with vegan leather backs provide a more premium alternative. Display The iQOO Z9 swaps the compact design of its predecessor for a more traditional 6.67-inch AMOLED display with Full HD+ resolution featuring 2400 by 1080 pixels and 120 Hz refresh rate support. However, it disappointingly lacks 120 Hz scrolling in most apps, limiting the smooth experience of the UI.  Despite this hiccup, the display impresses with sharpness at 394 PPI, HDR support, and vibrant colours. HDR content on platforms like YouTube and Netflix looks crisp and vibrant, thanks to the deep blacks and enhanced contrast of the AMOLED panel. Read more: MSI Cyborg 15 AI A1VEK Review: Is It Worth Buying? The display also shines bright, reaching up to 1,800 nits of peak local brightness. Plus, the addition of dual stereo speakers elevates the audio experience, offering full sound with good bass and vocals, a significant improvement over its predecessor's single-speaker setup. Cameras The iQOO Z9 impresses with its camera performance, featuring a 50-megapixel (f/1.79) Sony IMX882 primary sensor with OIS. It has a 2 MP (f/2.4) Bokeh camera too.  While lacking an ultrawide shooter, the primary camera excels in capturing stunning photos in both daylight and low-light conditions. Daytime shots exhibit crisp details, natural colours, and a solid dynamic range comparable to higher-priced phones. The 2x zoom images maintain quality, and close-up shots boast a natural bokeh effect.  Read more: Nokia C32: Reliable Budget Smartphone for Everyday Use Under BDT 14,000 Portrait shots deliver close-to-natural skin tones, though edge detection could be improved. The option to capture full 50-megapixel shots retains dynamic range and enhances details. Low-light photography shines with minimal noise and polished results, despite some shadow detail loss.  The 16-megapixel (f/2.0) selfie camera performs decently in daylight but struggles in low light.  Additionally, the phone's rear sensor supports maximum of 4K @30fps video recording with stabilisation, adding versatility to its camera capabilities. While the front camera can capture 1080p videos at 30fps. Read more: Nothing Phone 2a Review: What’s New?

iQOO smartphones are known for their reliable performance at a marginal price. Their lineup is often dubbed as gaming on a budget. But the marginal price and the flagship killer tag come with certain corner cuts. But that all changed with their new release. iQOO launched the iQOO 12 on 14th November 2023. The device brings improvements in almost every sector compared to its predecessor. Now the question arises, is the vivo iQOO 12 a flagship killer or a proper flagship itself? Let’s find out.  Key Specs of the vivo iQOO 12   Design and Build Quality  It seems like iQOO has been inspired by OnePlus’s Never Settle philosophy when it comes to design. Gone are the rectangular camera housing which has been replaced with a rather square-ish round look. iQOO calls it the porthole design.  The build quality feels more sturdy thanks to the aluminum frame and glass back composition. The dimension of the iQOO 12 comes in at 163.22 mm by 75.88 mm by 8.10 mm (Alpha and Legend) or 8.35 mm (Desert Red). The weight of the device also differs as Alpha and Legend comes in at 203.7 g and the Desert Red comes in at 198.5 g. iQOO has partnered with BMW for the Legend variant. It adds a distinct dash of the M series colorways in a white AG Fluorite back. Read more: Infinix Note 40 Pro Review: A Mid-Range Phone with 108P sensor, MagSafe Charging Ports and buttons are in their usual space as before. The 12 with its updated looks and build quality seems to be on par with most flagships today. The Chinese variant even has IP64 water and dust resistance. However, it couldn’t be confirmed whether it’s the same for the global variant as well.  The Display  The display on the iQOO 12 is a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED 8T panel with 1B colors, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 1400 nits of HBM, and 3000 nits of peak brightness. The resolution of the panel comes in at 1260 by 2800 pixels at a 20:9 aspect ratio. It brings the pixel count to about 452 ppi.  One of the impressive things about the iQOO 12 is the ultra-slim symmetric bezel on all sides. It takes the screen real estate to 89.6% screen-to-body ratio.  Read more: Samsung Galaxy M55 Review: Here’s What It Offers The display also has a 2160 Hz PWM dimming mode for ease of usage in ultra-low light conditions. iQOO also incorporated an intelligent anti-fatigue brightness strategy and low blue light emission to relieve the stress on the eyes.  The overall experience with the host of features has been excellent. The display is fast, accurate, has great colors, and is simply a pleasure for content consumption.  The Camera  The camera on the iQOO 12 got a massive improvement over last year’s 11. There’s a new triple camera setup with the main sensor being a 50 MP f/1.7 23 mm wide angle lens with PDAF and OIS. There’s also a 64 MP f/2.6 70 mm periscope telephoto lens and a 50 MP f/2.0 119 degrees ultrawide lens.  There’s also a 16 MP f/2.5 selfie shooter on the front.  Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Plus Review with Pros and Cons The flagship-grade sensors also provide impressive results. Pictures taken during the day had great contrast and sharpness to them with decent dynamic range. You might notice a slightly warm tone in a typical vivo fashion. Pictures taken at night were on par with daylight images thanks to the night mode. The front camera also took decent selfies. However it lacked details and sharpness compared to the main sensor.  The videography on the iQOO 12 is rated to be 8K at 30fps, 4K at 24/30/60fps, and 1080p at 30/60/120/240fps. Both the EIS and OIS do a great job of stabilizing and providing good-quality videos. The selfie shooter can capture only 1080p videos at 30fps.

iQOO is here with its highly anticipated Neo series for 2024. The Neo lineup has stirred up quite the hype over the years for its unbeatable price-to-performance deals. The Neo9 Pro was launched globally on 22nd February. The global Neo9 Pro’s features are quite similar to the iQOO Neo9 released in China, while the Neo9 Pro’s Chinese version differs from its global version in the processor and camera section. Let’s find out more on this flagship phone.  Key Specs of the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro   Design and Build Quality: A Mix of Sophistication and Refinement  The actual Neo9 Pro has been exclusively released for China for the time being. iQOO may not opt to release this model globally as it shares almost the same DNA with the parent company’s Vivo X100.  From the outside, you’re looking at the same dimension as that of the Neo9. There’s a vegan leather version which iQOO calls their Fiery Red model. There are also options for either blue or black glass back finishes.  Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability Dimension-wise, the iQOO Neo9 Pro comes in at 163.53 mm by 75.68 mm by 7.99 mm or 8.34 mm (Fiery Red). The aggregate weight of the device comes in at 190 g (Fiery Red) of 190 g as standard.  iQOO has incorporated several innovative design choices with the Neo9 Pro. The plastic frame has a four-sided micro-arc design for a seamless transition with the body. The front bezel on the side has been reduced to just 1.54 mm for a near-borderless view. There is also the Fluorite AG glass on the back of the blue and black model to deter fingerprints and smudges.  Ports, buttons, microphones, and dual SIM slots are in their usual spot like the Neo9. There’s no water resistance rating on the Neo9 Pro which might be its only gripe design-wise.  Read more: DOOGEE V31GT 5G Rugged Phone Review: Sturdy mid-range gaming device The Display: Feature-Packed AMOLED Display  The display on the iQOO Neo9 Pro is stacked with features. On paper, users will get a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with 1B colors, 144 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 1400 nits of HBM.  The near-symmetrical panel comes in a 20:9 aspect ratio good enough for a 93.43% screen-to-body ratio.  The resolution has been cranked up to 1260 by 2800 pixels featuring of 452 ppi density. Additional display techs like XDR 2.0 and ZREAL have also been incorporated into the panel. The result is a whopping 8000000:1 contrast ratio in normal usage.  iQOO claims that the touch latency has been reduced by 36% compared to the previous models. The 2160 Hz PWM dimming mode increases the brightness perception by 14.3% making it easier on eyes in ultra-low light environments.  Read more: Walton Xanon X20 Review: Is it a value-for-money gaming phone? The Camera  The camera is where the difference between the global 9 Pro and Chinese 9 Pro becomes apparent.  The main rear camera is a 50 MP shooter sporting a Sony VCS IMX 920 sensor. Spec includes f/1.88 aperture, 1/1.49 inch sensor size with PDAF and OIS.  The Chinese Neo9 Pro’s secondary rear sensor is another 50 MP f/2.0 shooter, 119-degree ultrawide sensor. On the other hand, the global version comes with an 8 MP (f/2.2) 119-degree ultrawide sensor.  Read more: Infinix GT 10 Pro 5G Review: Is it a capable gaming phone? For both the Chinese and Global Neo9 pro, the front camera features a single 16 MP f/2.5 lens. It can shoot 1080 pixels of footage at 30 fps. The custom Sony sensor can nicely capture natural and warm-looking images. The usual photorealism of the IMX 920 was missing here as pictures had a distinct color pop in them. The dynamic range was a bit sub-par. The ultrawide sensor was able to match the performance of the main sensor during daylight.  Pictures taken at night or in low light fared much better thanks to the large sensor size. The night mode was an added plus in low-light photography.  Read more: ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device Videography on the Chinese Neo9 Pro supports up to 8K, 4K, and 1080P. While the global version can capture a maximum of 4K videos. Video quality has been impressive thanks to the gyro-EIS and OIS.  Processor and Performance: Sheer Gaming Capabilities  Beyond the camera, the Chinese 9 Pro is using the latest MediaTek Dimensity 9300 based on the 4 Nm architecture unlike yesteryear’s 8 Gen 2 found on the global 9 Pro. The octa-core processor is coupled with Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU. iQOO is claiming 40% increased performance with 33% less power consumption compared to the last generation.  The storage combination goes up to 16 GB RAM and 1TB internal storage. iQOO has upgraded to LPDDR5X and UFS 4.0 for the RAM and ROM respectively.  Read more: Asus ROG Phone 8 Review: 2024’s First Flagship Gaming Device In addition to the Dimensity 9300 chip, iQOO has also included the Q1 gaming chip developed in-house. iQOO claims that the Q1 can replicate PC-level super-resolution for open world and other graphics-intensive games. In the test, PUBG, COD, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 were running smoothly at 60 Hz. What’s even more impressive is the lack of heating even after hours of gaming. The usual day-to-day browsing and surfing is fast and smooth thanks to the blazing 144 Hz display.  iQOO introduced their 6K Skylight vapor chamber liquid cooling technology which takes up around half of the internal footprint of the device. It accounts for precise heat dissipation resulting in a 26% increase in overall heat transfer.  Software: OriginOS 4 over Android 14  While the global variant comes with Funtouch OS, the Chinese Neo9 Pro sticks with the OriginOS. And given that it is released in China only. It’s a pretty heavy skin over Android 14. Needless to say, it would take some time to get used to its interface and navigation.  Read more: Tecno Pova 4 Pro Review: Budget gaming phone with a massive battery Battery and Charge Time  The Neo9 Pro comes with 5160 mAh battery capacity. The 120W ultra-fast flash charge can take the device from 0 to 40% in 9 minutes. The full charge takes about 1 hour and 24 minutes. iQOO claims that the Neo9 Pro has been tested for up to 1600 full charge cycles after which the battery can retain up to 80% of its original capacity. 

iQOO saved up a big surprise till the very end of 2023. The Vivo subsidiary launched the much-hyped iQOO Neo 9 on 27th December in China. The smartphone is scheduled for a mid-February launch globally. For the time being, the smartphone has garnered a lot of attention and buzz among the users. So what’s the hype all about? Let’s find out.  Key Specifications of the vivo iQOO Neo 9   Design and Build Quality  The iQOO Neo series is known for its drastic design jumps in each iteration. The Neo 9 is also no different. There’s virtually no similarity between the Neo 8 and Neo 9 except for the fact that both of them have a plastic build.  The Neo 9 has a flat front and back with two large separate housings for the two camera sensors. The dimension of the smartphone comes in at 163.5 by 75.7 by 8 mm or 8.3 mm. The 8.3 mm version has a faux leather finish in bright red and contrasting white. It's probably the best looking one among a choice between black and blue. The faux leather variant weighs at 196 g whereas the standard model comes in at 190 g. The ports and buttons are carried on from the Neo 8 with the SIM slot taking its place beside the Type C port. There’s also an IR blaster along with the secondary noise cancellation mic at the top. Other than that, the minimal front bezel and even weight distribution make for a premium mid-range smartphone.  Read more: realme GT5 Pro Review: High-performance or Hype? The Display  The display on the Neo 9 is a 6.78 inches LTPO AMOLED panel with standard features like 1B colors, 144 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 1400 nits of HBM. What’s interesting here is the inclusion of an LTPO panel. Even many high-end smartphones these days don’t come with this feature. Needless to say, it’ll definitely help conserve a lot of battery on the 1260 by 2800 pixels and 453 ppi density. The display also has the new PWM dimming feature. It essentially dims out the blacks entirely by varying the electric pulse on the individual LEDs. The result is striking low brightness in dark environments and true black contrast.  The bezel on the center punch-hole display is very minimal with the lower chin protruding ever so slightly. The slim trim helps to keep the screen-to-body ratio at 89.7%. The bottom line, it's an amazing display that seriously punches above its price.  Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G Review: What’s New? The Camera  There’s a dual-lens camera on the Neo 9 with the main camera being a 50 MP f/1.9 wide angle and 1/1.49" aperture sensor. The secondary shooter is 8 MP, f/2.2 with a 119-degree field of view. Both the main and the secondary camera uses IMX sensors from Sony for improved camera performance. 

For the last several years, iQOO has enriched the smartphone market with its affordable premium smartphones. Being a subsidiary of BBK Electronics, iQOO is slowly taking over the mantle of flagship killer status. The company recently launched the iQOO Neo 8 on 23rd May 2023. This mid-range smartphone brings specs that would rival the recent flagship smartphones. Let’s dig into it more.  Key Specifications of the iQOO Neo 8   Design and Build Quality  iQOO devices have a unique design statement with their characteristic rectangular camera housing and contrasting finish on the back (leather variant).  The Neo 8 is no different as well. Users will be getting a plastic frame, glass back and front. The build feels durable and sturdy even with the plastic frame.  The dimensions of the Neo 8 come in at 164.7 mm by 77 mm by 8.5 mm with 192 g weight. The front of the device has a noticeable chin at the bottom. But that is about it when it comes to drawbacks. Ports and buttons are similar to that of the Neo 7 which means there aren’t any 3.5 mm headphone jack on the Neo 8.  Read more: iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers The Display  The display on the Neo 8 is easily its strongest suit. The 6.78 inch AMOLED display has 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, and 1300 nits of peak brightness. The QHD+ resolution display has 1260 by 2800 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 453 ppi density. There is a slight chin at the bottom and around the side of the display. It accounts for about 87.5% screen-to-body ratio.  The specifications on paper are strongly reflected in real life. The panel looks stunning with great contrast and color balance. The HBM allows for easy readability under direct sunlight. It's not the brightest per se, but it's the best at its price point.  The Camera  There is a dual camera setup on the iQOO Neo 8. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.9 wide-angle shooter with PDAF and OIS. The secondary sensor is a 2 MP one with an f/2.4 depth sensor. It's essentially a single shooter phone considering the depth sensor doesn’t do anything other than assisting in the portrait shots.  The pictures from the main camera came out sharp and detailed. iQOO has significantly improved its post-processing capacity. Pictures taken during the daylight came out well exposed with good details. The colors had a slight warm tone to them which made the images pop. However, it wasn’t overpowering in any way and the pictures came out looking natural. The dynamic range was also well-preserved in most shots.  Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera The low-light performance was also on par with the daylight ones. The exposure and color balance were on point even under strong artificial lights. The night mode became significantly better to accommodate extreme low-light shots.  The videography on the iQOO Neo 8 is rated at 8K, 4K, and 1080P at 30fps, 30/60 fps, and 30/60 fps respectively. The gyro-EIS and OIS greatly improve video stabilization.  There’s also a generic 16 MP (f/2.5) front-facing camera that can take decent selfies. The selfie sensor can capture video at 1080P at 30fps. Processor and Performance  The processor on the iQOO Neo 8 is Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 based on the 4 Nm architecture. This is the same flagship processor from 2 years ago seen on the then-premium smartphones. It's great to see that iQOO is recycling the same flagship-grade processor at a mid-range price point.  Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G Review: What’s New? The octa-core processor has a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 chip design with Adreno 730 GPU. Considering the performance capability of the 8+ Gen 1, it doesn’t feel like a mid-range smartphone. Games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 ran on the highest graphics settings without any hiccups. The device also did a great job of dissipating the heat. We didn’t notice any thermal throttling during the test.  However, the performance is slightly spoiled by the OS experience. The global variant comes with Funtouch 13 and the Chinese variant comes with OriginOS 3. Either way, the bloatware feels heavy from a stock Android perspective. The 144 Hz refresh rate is a saving grace in an otherwise bloatware-filled OS.  Battery and Charge Time  iQOO Neo 8 comes with 120W proprietary FlashCharge which can be used to charge up the 5000 mAh battery. The brick can charge up the device from 0 to 50% in about 9 minutes. On average, expect an entire day’s usage out of the device with a full charge.  Pros and Cons of the iQOO Neo 8  Pros:  - Excellent display - Ultra-fast charging support - Powerful processor - Stylish design - Good camera system. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features Cons:  - No water resistance rating - Lack of wireless and reverse charging facility. Price of iQOO Neo 8  iQOO Neo 8 is currently available in 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 16/512 GB variants. The prices of the variants are 2,499, 2,799, and 3,099 CNY respectively. The price roughly translates to 38,817, 43,477 and 48,137 BDT respectively. However, the actual price would differ since it is not officially available in Bangladesh yet.  Verdict  The iQOO Neo 8 takes the design and material values from the Neo 7 and brushes up rough edges. The Neo 8 brings incremental updates to the display, processor, and camera. The Neo 7 was already a great value option considering its price. The Neo 8 takes the bar even higher.  It’s downside would be the OS support which still has a long way to go. Besides, the provision of wireless and reverse charging facilities could make it a better deal. Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? So who is the iQOO Neo 8 for? It’s best suited for people wanting a flagship experience at a mid-range price. 

iQOO, a sub-brand of Vivo, is known for its high-performance gaming phones. The iQOO 12 Pro was launched in China on November 14, 2023. This device is a shift from the brand’s traditional gaming-centric lineup. The 12 Pro appeared as a high-capacity phone with enhanced gaming capabilities. This shift suggests a broader appeal beyond the gaming community, making it a more versatile option for a wider audience. Let’s take a look at what it offers. Key Features & Specs of iQoo 12 Pro Design The iQoo 12 boasts a sturdy design with dimensions measuring 164.6 mm by 75.4 mm by 8.6 mm (or 8.8 mm). Weighing in at 205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz), it accommodates dual Nano-SIM cards with dual stand-by capability.  Its exterior exhibits flat metallic sides with curved corners, and the glossy rear panel. Although slightly slippery, it is offset by the included TPU cover, enhancing grip and preventing fingerprint smudges.  Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera The camera module, a rounded square on the left side, is encircled by a metallic ring with a ridged edge. The display boasts slim bezels and a central hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera.  Notably, the phone showcases the BMW Motorsport logo subtly at the rear bottom and attains an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, a first for the series, ensuring resilience against the elements. Display The iQOO 12 Pro features a LTPO AMOLED display, boasting 1 billion colors and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, complemented by HDR10+ support and a peak brightness of 3000 nits.  The 6.78-inch screen with a resolution of 1440 by 3200 pixels and a 20:9 ratio provides a sharp pixel density of approximately 518 ppi.  Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? The upgrade from Samsung's E6 to E7 panel is notable, particularly in the doubled HDR window brightness. Users should be aware that the default resolution is set to 1080p, and adjusting it to UHD in the settings enhances the screen's sharpness.  The fingerprint recognition, although ultrasonic and functional, takes a step back from the larger recognition area of the iQOO 11 Pro, presenting a minor drawback in the overall design. Cameras The iQOO 12 Pro incorporates a triple-camera setup featuring a 50 MP (f/1.7) wide lens, a 64 MP (f/2.6) periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP (f/2.0) ultra wide lens.  The camera system showcases capabilities such as dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama, supporting video recording up to 8K at 30fps and offering versatile options at lower resolutions. Notably, the dynamic range across all three lenses is impressive, avoiding over-sharpening issues. The camera excels in capturing details, especially in macro mode, providing the flexibility to use the ultra-wide or telephoto lens for varied perspectives.  Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability However, certain limitations persist, such as the telephoto lens usage in low light and unresolved issues like purple-fringing with telephoto lenses highlight some gaps in comparison to leading photography-focused phones. On the front side, the iQoo 12 Pro bears a 16 MP (f/2.5) selfie shooter. However, the front-facing camera can record only at 1080p 30fps without image stabilization, impacting its suitability for vlogging.  Performance and Hardware The iQOO 12 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with Cortex-X4, Cortex-A720, and Cortex-A520 cores. Accompanied by the Adreno 750 GPU, the device offers robust performance. The 12 Pro is supported by memory options of 256GB/512GB/1TB storage and 16GB RAM, utilizing UFS 4.0 technology. The absence of a card slot for external storage should be noted. Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones The iQOO 12 Pro's performance in resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact demonstrates stability with a trade-off of higher power consumption compared to some counterparts. Software Operating on Google's latest Android 14 OS with Vivo's Funtouch OS 14 overlay, the iQOO 12 Pro ensures a user-friendly experience. This device facilitates lock screen customization and enhancements to multitasking, RAM utilization, and motion blur effects during app operations.  The promise of three years of OS and security updates, followed by an additional year of security updates, adds to the device's longevity. However, users may encounter occasional notifications from the pre-installed V-Appstore, which encourages trying out new apps and offers customization options that can be manually managed.  Some pre-installed apps like Netflix, Spotify, Snapchat, Facebook, and PhonePe are present but can be easily uninstalled. Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection Battery and Charging The iQOO 12 Pro is equipped with a sizable 5100mAh non-removable battery. Its notable charging capabilities include a rapid 120W wired charging, boasting a 26-minute fill-up time.  Additionally, the phone supports efficient 50W wireless charging, providing a convenient alternative. For reverse wireless charging, the device offers a 10W capability.  Despite the substantial battery size, the overall endurance is comparable to other phones when engaging in resource-intensive activities like gaming. iQOO maintains a commendable consistency by ensuring their charger includes a USB-C port and supports PD 65W charging, offering a practical and universal charging solution. Pros and Cons of iQoo 12 Pro Pros - Elegant design with BMW Motorsport logo- Large display with a high refresh rate- Versatile triple-camera setup- Powerful processor- Ample storage- Fast charging with wireless, and reverse charging facility- Useful ports. Read more: Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G: What does it offer? Cons - Slippery glossy rear panel- Limited fingerprint recognition area- Low video recording capacity by the front camera- Telephoto lens limitations, purple-fringing issues- Occasional V-App Store notifications- No card slot for external storage- Higher power consumption in resource-intensive games Price of iQoo 12 Pro The iQOO 12 Pro is not yet officially available in Bangladesh. In China, the iQOO 12 Pro 16GB+512GB Legend Edition is priced at CNY 5499.00, equivalent to BDT 84626. The conversion rate used is CNY 1 = BDT 15.39. The official price of iQoo 12 Pro in Bangladesh may increase due to diverse issues. Conclusion The iQOO 12 Pro offers a complete package with attractive features such as elegant design, vibrant display, standard cameras, performance-driven robust processor, etc. Running on Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14, the device promises extended software updates. Its powerful battery supports rapid wired, wireless, and reverse wireless charging.  Read more: Xiaomi 14 Pro Review: What’s special about it? On the whole, iQoo 12 Pro strikes a balance between gaming and photography-centric features, distinguishing itself from traditional "gaming phones." 

BBK Electronics, the parent company of vivo introduced iQOO as its subsidiary, a new and revamped lineup that streamlined gaming in the mid-range market back in 2019. iQOO launched the Z7 Pro on 5th September 2023. So how does it fare alongside the competitors? Let’s find out the specs, pros, cons and price of iQOO Z7 Pro.  Key Features of vivo iQOO Z7 Pro   Design and Build Quality  The Z7 Pro moves away from the traditional iQOO design elements to be more streamlined with the Vivo V series. The Z7 Pro has a stark similarity with the V27 Pro with its camera housing and ring LED flash. The Z7 Pro is larger and sleeker than the Z7 with its curved edges and long-form factor.  The device dimensions are 164.10 mm by 74.80 mm by 7.36 mm with a weight of 175 g. Even though it’s a large phone, the plastic frame and body with glass back help to keep weight down to a handy limit. The glass back called the Fluorite AG glass has a matte finish which helps to deter fingerprints and smudges. The front glass is protected by Asahi glass. The new Blue Lagoon variant has a frosted blue texture on the back making it look like ocean waves. Read more: Infinix Note 30 5G Review: Know the Pros and Cons Moving on to the technical features, the device brings the same set of features from last year’s Z6 Pro. The power button and the volume rockers are placed on the right. The usual dual sim slot, single firing speaker, and the Type C charging port are placed on the bottom with a flush left side. The top however has the words “Professional Portrait” printed on it which might as well be iQOO’s new branding approach.  The Display  The display on the iQOO Z7 Pro is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution. Even though it is a mid-range smartphone, iQOO did not hold back when it comes to features. The display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, 1B colors, and 1300 nits of peak brightness. The rather long and curved panel has a 20:9 aspect ratio of 1080 by 2400 pixels. It brings the pixel density to 388 ppi. The almost bezel-less curved punch-hole panel pushes the limit with an astounding 90.4% screen-to-body ratio.  Using the display has been as exciting as its features. The panel had vivid settings out of the box which can be recalibrated based on user preference. Beyond that, the performance of the display was excellent. It showed good color contrast with very smooth navigations by virtue of the 120 Hz refresh rate. Legibility under direct sunlight was not an issue due to the high peak brightness. iQOO seems to have improved their accidental touch as no mistouches were noticed during the test.  Overall, it's an excellent panel that can easily take the panel for being the best in its price range.  Read more: Xiaomi 13T Pro Review: The flagship killer is back The Camera  There’s a vertically aligned dual camera module on the Z7 Pro with an AURA LED flashlight. The main camera is a 64 MP f/1.79 and 26mm wide lens. The secondary camera is a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. The depth sensor aids in the bokeh effect for portrait shots but it cannot be used as a standalone sensor.  iQOO since its initial days, focused on the performance aspect of the smartphone. This was an effective strategy considering Vivo themselves focused heavily on the camera performance. While the camera improved a lot since its initial days, it still has a long way to go.  Pictures under direct sunlight came out crisp and clear with detailed subject and background separation. There were good details in each image with a decent dynamic range. The stock camera has different shooting modes which lets the users experiment and choose. Just like its tagline on the top, the portrait photography indeed got better as they came out identically perfect every time.  Read more: Xiaomi Pad 6 Review: Can It be a True iPad Alternative? Performance in low light requires a heavy dependency on the night mode. In testing, the night mode was consistent with decent exposure in each shot but the color looked artificial with HDR enhancements. The front camera is a 16 MP shooter with generic features good enough for casual selfies and videos. The videography on the rear camera of iQOO 7 Pro is rated at 4K at 30fps. The front camera is capable of capturing 1080p footage at 30fps. The OIS and gyro-EIS improve the stability of the videos with good details. But there are some jitters here and there.  Overall, the camera performance of the Z7 Pro is an improvement from last year’s Z6 Pro but it’s still not on par with camera-focused smartphones in the mid-range market.  Read more: 10 Best GPS Trackers for Cars in Bangladesh Processor and Performance  The processor on the Z7 Pro is Mediatek Dimensity 7200 based on the 4 Nm architecture. It has a 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 and 6x Cortex-A510 chip design which brings a balance of efficiency and higher clock speed. The processor is coupled with Mali-G610 MC4 GPU.  It has 8GB of RAM. The internal memory ranges from 128 to 256 GB. Like the previous iQOO smartphones, the Z7 Pro also focused on performance and it shows. In testing, the smartphone was able to run leading titles like PUBG, Asphalt 9, and Genshin Impact at max settings. There were no frame drops or noticeable lag in the gameplay. Users will be getting a constant 60 fps on Asphalt 9 which significantly increases the immersive experience of the gameplay.  The device did however heat up after about half an hour of continued gaming. But even then, there weren’t any noticeable performance drops. The battery discharge also stayed at a fairly constant rate. Day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media and stuff are a breeze thanks to the fluid 120 Hz display and the fast animation of the OS. Speaking of OS, the smartphone comes with FuntouchOS 13 based on Android 13. Funtouch still has its bloatware but the sheer performance helps to offset the experience a bit.  Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Review: What are the key upgrades? Battery and Charge Time  The battery on the iQOO Z7 Pro is 4600 mAh which might be less compared to the usual 5000 mAh spec. However, the efficient processor ensures that users will be getting 6 to 8 hours of SoT from the device. It also comes with 66W wired fast charging which can take the device from 0 to 50% in 22 minutes. Pros and Cons of iQOO Z7 Pro  Pros: - Impressive design - Excellent performance - Great battery life - Best-in-class display - Ergonomic in-hand experience. Cons:  - Slightly lacking in camera performance - Lack of stereo speaker - Bloatware in the OS. Read more: Symphony Helio 80 Review: Is the hype justified? Price of iQOO Z7 Pro  The iQOO Z7 Pro comes in 8/128 GB and 8/256 GB variants. The price of the base model is 23,999 INR whereas the higher storage variant is priced at 24,999 INR. It roughly amounts to 31,763 BDT and 33,086 BDT respectively (1 INR = 1.32 BDT). However, the price is expected to differ once it becomes officially available in Bangladesh.  Verdict  The iQOO Z7 Pro stays true to its roots of being an affordable gaming device. Though the manufacturing brand did not promote Z7 Pro as a gaming smartphone, the performance level easily helped it to become one. The updated design, display, processor, and battery all work in unison making it an almost complete smartphone in the mid-range segment.  The only shortcoming is the camera. While it's not bad by any means, it still doesn’t hold up against the competitors at the same price range or even a tad below it. So for anyone who’s not that into photography, the vivo iQOO Z7 Pro 5G can be an excellent choice that can provide a satisfactory user experience.  Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Coming to Bangladesh in November 2023

vivo’s sub-brand iQOO mainly works on the “flagship killer” category smartphones assuring value and performance for the users. The vivo iQOO Neo 8 Pro was released on 23rd May in China. So how does it differ from the Neo 7 Pro? And is it going to seal the title of flagship killer for 2023? Let’s find out.  Key Specifications of the vivo iQOO Neo 8 Pro   Design and Build Quality  The first thing that stands out is the design and build quality of the smartphone. There are three color variants on the 8 Pro, red, black, and mint. The red one uses a deep orange shade of vegetable tan leather on the back which provides a great texture and hand feel. The rectangular camera housing on the red variant has a distinct carbon fiber-like texture. The contrasting design elements on the back give the device a unique look.  Dimension-wise, the device comes in at 164.7 x 77 x 8.5 mm. The device is on the lighter side at just 192 gm. The even weight distribution makes it easy to hold for a long time without hand fatigue. The frame of the device is made from plastic with a glass front and leather (red) or glass back. There’s no protection rating for the front glass which can be an issue for many users.   Read more: Walton Xanon X20 Review: Is it a value-for-money gaming phone? The device comes with the standard ports and buttons. Additionally, there’s an IR blaster on top so if you have IoT devices in your home, the phone can serve as a secondary remote. The Type C port and the sim-slot are placed at the bottom. Unfortunately, there’s no micro SDXC support on the 8 Pro. But the 256 GB base variant should be more than ample for most users.  Overall, the 8 Pro is reiterative of the iQOO design elements. It doesn’t reinvent itself much which may very well be its strongest suit in terms of design elements.  Display  The display on the iQOO Neo 8 Pro is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with 1260 x 2800 resolution. The unusual resolution brings the display to around 453 ppi with a 20:9 aspect ratio. In addition to that, the display supports 1B colors, 144Hz high refresh rate, HDR10, and 1300 nits of peak brightness.  Read more: Benco S1 Pro Review: Elegance within Budget The high refresh rate combined with the 1.5K resolution makes it a crystal clear sharp display. The chins and perimeter bezels have also been significantly reduced to make way for an 87.5% screen-to-body ratio.  In typical use, the display is perfect for media consumption. The HBM helps with outdoor visibility with reduced glare and sharp contrast. The high refresh rate and touch sampling also elevate the gaming experience on the 8 Pro.  Overall, the display is one of the strong elements of the device. It easily takes one up over the 7 Pro with better resolution and a higher refresh rate.  Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?