Design and Build Quality
The iQOO Neo 9 Pro adopts a minimalist dual-tone design with a matte-finished plastic frame and a distinctive “Dual-Tone Cloud AG Glass” back panel. Our review unit featured the striking Fiery Red colorway, where a vibrant red vegan leather segment seamlessly merges with a frosted glass panel. This not only enhances grip but also resists fingerprints. At 7.99mm thickness and 196 grams, it feels surprisingly manageable for a performance-focused device. The flat edges house a responsive in-display fingerprint sensor, tactile buttons, and an IR blaster. While lacking official IP ratings, the build quality feels robust for daily use.
Display Specifications and Quality
A 6.78-inch 1.5K (2800×1260) AMOLED display dominates the front, boasting a 144Hz refresh rate (adjustable down to 1Hz) and 2,160Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain. Peak brightness reaches 3,000 nits under HDR content, ensuring visibility even under harsh sunlight. Color accuracy is exceptional out-of-the-box, covering 100% DCI-P3 with factory calibration. The LTPO panel dynamically adjusts refresh rates based on content—scrolling through social media at 120Hz, reading at 60Hz, and playing supported games at 144Hz. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support enrich streaming experiences, while the 93.4% screen-to-body ratio offers immersive viewing.
Performance: The Heart of the Beast
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (4nm architecture), the Neo 9 Pro pairs it with LPDDR5X RAM (up to 12GB) and UFS 4.0 storage (up to 256GB). Benchmark results are staggering:
- AnTuTu v10: 1,650,000+
- Geekbench 6: Single-Core: 2,050, Multi-Core: 5,800
- 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 3,900 (Average FPS: 23.4)
Real-world performance is equally impressive. Apps launch instantly, and multitasking between 20+ Chrome tabs, YouTube, and Adobe Lightroom shows zero lag. The 6K VC Liquid Cooling System—iQOO’s largest vapor chamber at 6,042mm²—keeps thermals in check. During 30 minutes of Genshin Impact, the device peaked at 43°C, avoiding performance throttling.
Software and User Experience
Running Funtouch OS 14 (based on Android 14), the software emphasizes speed and customization. Bloatware is minimal, limited to iQOO’s Game Space, V-AppStore, and third-party apps like Netflix (uninstallable). The UI supports extensive theming, gesture controls, and productivity features like split-screen multitasking. While Funtouch OS lacks the polish of stock Android, it prioritizes fluidity—animations remain smooth even under heavy load. Guaranteed three OS updates and four years of security patches future-proof the device.
Camera System: More Than Just Performance
The 50MP Sony IMX920 primary sensor (1/1.49-inch, f/1.88) with OIS captures detailed, well-exposed shots in daylight. Pixel-binning to 12.5MP enhances dynamic range, though HDR processing occasionally oversaturates skies. Low-light performance benefits from the VCS spectral technology, reducing noise by 20% compared to its predecessor. The 50MP ultra-wide (Samsung JN1) doubles as a 4cm macro lens but struggles with edge distortion. Video capabilities include 4K@60fps stabilization and cinematic bokeh effects. The 16MP front camera handles selfies competently but falters in backlit scenarios. Key camera specs:
- Primary: 50MP Sony IMX920, OIS, 1.0µm pixel size
- Ultra-wide/Macro: 50MP Samsung JN1, 119° FoV
- Front: 16MP, f/2.0
Battery Life and Charging
A 5,160mAh dual-cell battery delivers 7–8 hours of screen-on time (SoT) with mixed usage (144Hz enabled, 5G/Wi-Fi switching). PCMark’s battery test yielded 14 hours at 50% brightness. Heavy gaming drains the battery faster (~5 hours SoT), but 120W FlashCharge compensates spectacularly:
- 0–50% in 9 minutes
- 0–100% in 25 minutes
The bundled GaN charger is compact and supports PD/PPS protocols for charging laptops/tablets.
Gaming Experience: Living Up to the Hype
Gaming is where the Neo 9 Pro truly excels. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s Adreno 740 GPU, combined with iQOO’s “Supercomputing Chip V2,” enables frame interpolation in 100+ games. PUBG Mobile runs at 90fps (Ultra HD) with near-flat frametimes, while Genshin Impact averages 59.7fps in 30-minute sessions (High settings). Game Space offers:
- Performance Modes: “Monster” (unlocks GPU overclocking)
- 4D Game Vibration: Haptic feedback synced to in-game actions
- Esports Display: Touch sampling boosted to 360Hz
- Ultra Game Mode: Blocks notifications and optimizes network
Connectivity and Audio
5G support includes 13 global bands (n1/n3/n5/n7/n8/n20/n28/n38/n40/n41/n77/n78/n79), making it travel-friendly. Wi-Fi 7 readiness (though limited by regional hardware) and Bluetooth 5.3 ensure future-proof wireless connectivity. The stereo speakers deliver clear mids and highs but lack bass depth. Dolby Atmos enhances spatial audio for headphones, though audiophiles may prefer LDAC-enabled wireless earbuds.
Value for Money and Competition
Priced at ₹35,999 ($430) for the 8GB+128GB variant and ₹39,999 ($480) for 12GB+256GB, the Neo 9 Pro undercuts rivals like the OnePlus 12R (₹39,999) and Poco F6 Pro (₹38,999). It offers superior raw performance and charging speeds but compromises on cameras compared to the OnePlus 12R. The Nothing Phone (2) remains a strong alternative for software purists. For gamers and power users prioritizing speed, thermal management, and rapid charging, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro is a compelling value proposition.