 "iQOO Z11x review: A budget phone with 7,000mAh battery")
Pros:
Big and beautiful display
Massive battery
Smooth software
Decent camera
Cons:
Multitasking
Hefty build
Price: Rs 18,999
Ratings: 3.9/5
In the crowded sub-Rs 20,000 smartphone segment, standing out is no easy task. Brands are constantly balancing performance, design, and battery life to appeal to value-conscious buyers.
The iQOO Z11x steps into this space with a clear focus on endurance and everyday usability, while also trying to deliver a design that feels a notch above its price. But does it strike the right balance? Here’s a closer look.
iQOO Z11x: Design and display
The iQOO Z11x features a boxy design with a smooth rear panel that feels clean and modern. At the back, a squoval camera island houses two lenses, a flash, and a ring light, giving the phone a slightly distinctive look. For a smartphone priced under Rs 20,000, the iQOO Z11x delivers a premium touch.
The plastic back panel does signal its budget positioning, but the glossy, smooth finish adds a bit of flair and helps it stand out among competitors in the same price bracket.
In hand, the device feels slightly heavy, though not uncomfortably bulky. The smooth surface can make it a bit slippery, but iQOO includes a transparent protective case in the box, which effectively addresses that issue.
The phone comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that doubles as the power button. While this dual functionality is convenient on paper, it can be slightly frustrating in practice.
If you frequently press the power button to check notifications, accidental touches can trigger the fingerprint sensor. During my time with the device, this led to multiple instances of unintended unlock attempts, and on a few occasions, the phone locked me out briefly.
On the front, the phone sports a 6.76-inch LCD display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The screen appears bright enough for everyday use, whether you are browsing the web or playing casual games. The display is wide, making it a delight for binge-watching shows, playing games, and even reading. It is also bright enough to remain legible under direct sunlight.
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View AllHowever, this wide display does come with a trade-off. At least in my case, it was difficult to use the device with one hand.
The bezels, too, hint at the phone’s budget positioning. While the side bezels are relatively slim, the bottom chin is noticeably thicker, slightly breaking the visual symmetry.
iQOO Z11x: Performance
The iQOO Z11x is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Turbo processor, which promises smooth everyday performance. The smartphone handles routine tasks like texting on WhatsApp, watching YouTube, and casual gaming with ease.
To push it further, I ran a few benchmark tests, and the results were consistent with real-world usage.
On Geekbench, the iQOO Z11x scored 1038 on single-core and 2723 on multi-core. This suggests that while basic tasks run smoothly, the phone does show signs of struggle with heavier multitasking. For instance, while gaming, incoming calls were not always immediately responsive, and the screen took a moment to react.
Given its price segment, I did not test high-intensity games extensively. However, lighter titles like Subway Surfers and Temple Run ran smoothly without any issues.
Running on OriginOS 6, the software stands out as one of the phone’s stronger aspects. Despite coming preloaded with several apps and games, the overall experience remains fluid. Like iQOO’s flagship devices, the Z11x also features the Origin Island, which shows music controls, navigation updates from Google Maps, and live order tracking in a compact floating bubble.
That said, the device does come with a fair amount of pre-installed apps, including Netflix, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The good part is that most of these can be uninstalled if you prefer a cleaner setup.
iQOO Z11x: Mammoth Battery
One of the biggest highlights of the phone is its battery. The iQOO Z11x packs a massive 7,200mAh battery, paired with 44W fast charging.
After using the device for two weeks, the battery performance lived up to the company’s claims. It comfortably lasted close to two days on casual usage on a single charge.
While the battery life is impressive, charging speeds feel slightly slow. In my usage, it took around 1 hour and 10 minutes to charge the phone from 0 per cent to 82 per cent.
That said, the slower charging could also contribute to better long-term battery health. Considering the endurance on offer, this trade-off did not feel like a major drawback.
iQOO Z11x: Camera
For photography, the iQOO Z11x 5G features a dual rear camera setup led by a 50MP primary sensor with an f/2.45 aperture, paired with a 2MP bokeh lens.
In daylight, the camera delivers decent results. Photos are sharp enough, but the colours are not entirely true to life. They appear slightly enhanced, almost as if a filter has already been applied. While this may not appeal to purists, it works well for social media-ready shots.
Portrait mode performance is fairly reliable, with good edge detection on both the rear and front cameras.
On the front, the phone features a 32MP camera for selfies and video calls. By default, beautification is enabled, so switching it off is recommended if you prefer more natural-looking and detailed selfies.
Verdict: Should you buy the iQOO Z11x at Rs 18,999?
The iQOO Z11x positions itself as a battery-first smartphone with a design that punches slightly above its weight. It gets the fundamentals right, offering a smooth display, dependable day-to-day performance, and excellent battery life.
However, it is not without compromises. The performance under heavier load, average camera colour accuracy, and minor usability quirks like the fingerprint sensor placement may not appeal to everyone.
If your priority is long battery life, a large display for content consumption, and a clean, fluid software experience, the iQOO Z11x is a solid choice in its segment.
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