Infinix GT 20 Pro vs iQOO Z9 : Not many such smartphones are available within the price limits of 18k, with incredible graphics delivering smooth performance and immersive audio for mobile gaming. According to the 2025 top lists, among them are Infinix GT20 Pro and iQOO Z9; both are rare gems for gamers; but which one has caught the eye of competition for budget gaming phones? We take a look at their wins and losses in terms of display, performance, battery, audio, and software.
Display and Gaming Experience
The other is an Infinix GT20 Pro AMOLED display that is ultra-smooth at a144hz refresh rate with very low touch latency and a 360hz touch sampling rate allowing for an immediate and vibrant gaming experience. The display chip also has a Pixelworks X5 Turbo Gaming Display Chip assigned to it to stabilize frame rates and perform low latency image enhancement useful during high-stakes competitive gameplay.
But while iQOO Z9’s AMOLED screen measures 6.67 inches, its refresh rate is limited to 120 Hz. Although it significantly lags behind that of the GT 20 Pro, it’s still a worthy feature that helps with smoothness and fluidity. On the contrary, it shines both in brightness and peak, 1800 nits, so it would have loved it for gaming in direct sunlight.
Performance and Cooling
The Infinix GT 20 Pro, being the usual packing of raw power from the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chipset, speaks some assumption of 4nm processor. It runs high-end games like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile, easily clocking over 937K on AnTuTu, while sporting a rather decent vapour chamber cooling system that can sustain performance through long hours of gaming. Reports, however, show that some users experienced intense heat during peak sessions, with one testifier stating that it hit a whopping 50ºC!
The Z9 driver packs up some serious confidence using Dimensity7200 to deliver a monumental breakthrough in performance in gaming and multitasking. Smoothness in gaming is heightened for most games, plus power efficiency on the savings side, with the addition of 8GB RAM and 8 MORE virtual RAMs. In fact, it may get warmer during heavy imports, but most will say it’s rather more manageable compared to the old tried-and-true experiences countless of them have shared using Z9.
Battery Life and Charging
They both have a capacity of 5000mAh batteries making them wonderful companions in long marathon sessions of gaming. In addition to this, the GT 20 Pro charges using 45W fast charging; the iQOO Z9 utilizes 44W. Fast charging happens on both ends wherein both can easily scale through the day. However, the GT 20 Pro may be drained a bit faster during gameplay due to its high refresh rate.
Audio and Extras
Sound becomes yet another necessity within gaming; so up there shines GT 20 Pro with dual stereo speakers tuned by JBL and HRA support, truly giving rich, loud, clear sound for games or content. The phone also comes with a respectable 108MP OIS camera and some practical extras such as NFC and IR blaster.
iQOO Z9, on the other hand, is equipped with stereo speakers Hi-Res audio-out through headphones and is standardized. This packs a 50MP primary camera, currently Sony OIS, with a memory expansion of 1TB. Hence, while it lacks the gimmicks, its audio and camera are presumably good enough for everyday use.
Software and User Experience
The Infinix GT 20 Pro runs on XOS 14 based Android 14, which promises a two-year update cycle for major updates followed by three years of security patches. However, some users believe that this kind of bloat in the interface with average UI performance does somehow downgrade the overall user experience.
On the other hand, iQOO Z9 has Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14. It’s got a more polished UI, even if users attribute a few minor bugs and some UI around-the-house awkwardness. Overall, however, it’s seen to present a clearer and more polished Android experience compared to Infinix software.
Buy the first or the second one?
GT 20 Pro: Of course, with its gaming performance stunner of a 144Hz display and JBL-tuned stereo sound, packed with one monster chipset, should honestly be the only option for hardcore mobile gaming, provided that you’re okay with some heating and facade software-related troubles.
If one is searching for a phone with a somewhat all-around better performance, clearer display, more stable software, and balanced thermal behavior, iQOO Z9 would be a beautifully safe bet for anything below 18k.
If performance is what you’re really looking for when it comes to gaming with high refresh rates and very powerful flow, you’re looking towards the Infinix GT 20 Pro.
If you want a nice, smooth, well-balanced phone that can game without the price-related sacrifices, you should go with the iQOO Z9.
Either way, come what may with whichever option you choose to roll with, both are testimony to gaming greatness in 2025, no longer limited to flagship pricing.