The iQOO Z9, launched in March 2024, has barely settled in the market, yet rumors of a souped-up version, the iQOO Z9 Turbo, are already swirling. Based on leaks and speculations, the Z9 Turbo promises to be a performance-centric smartphone with upgrades in core areas. Let’s delve into what we know so far about this upcoming device.
Muscle Under the Hood
The biggest highlight of the Z9 Turbo is expected to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC. This processor is the successor to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and is rumored to offer significant performance improvements. The faster clock speeds and a potentially improved Adreno 735 GPU could make the Z9 Turbo a beast for gaming and demanding applications.
Compared to the base Z9’s MediaTek Dimensity 7200, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 promises a leap in processing power and graphics capabilities. This upgrade caters to users who prioritize performance and a smooth experience for multitasking and graphically intensive games.
Display and Design
While specifics are yet to be confirmed, leaks suggest the Z9 Turbo might sport a 6.7-inch display with a 1.5K resolution (around 1220 x 2712 pixels). This would be a step up from the base Z9’s 1080p panel, offering a sharper viewing experience for videos, games, and browsing.
There’s no official word on the design, but considering iQOO’s focus on aesthetics, we can expect a sleek and premium design language.
Camera System
The camera details are a bit hazy, but rumors suggest the Z9 Turbo might retain the 50MP main sensor from the Z9. However, the accompanying secondary sensor’s specifications are unknown. It’s possible iQOO might improve the ultrawide or telephoto capabilities to make the camera system more versatile.
Battery and Charging
The Z9 Turbo is tipped to pack a 6000mAh battery, a welcome increase from the Z9’s 5000mAh capacity. This larger battery should offer better endurance, especially for power users. More importantly, leaks suggest the Z9 Turbo might ditch the 44W charging of the Z9 and embrace 80W fast charging. This significant jump in charging speed could significantly reduce charging times.
Software
Similar to the Z9, the Z9 Turbo is expected to launch with Android 14 out of the box. However, the exact custom UI on top of Android (FuntouchOS or OriginOS) remains to be seen.
Availability and Pricing (educated guesses)
iQOO has yet to officially confirm the existence or launch date of the Z9 Turbo. Leaks suggest a launch in the coming weeks, possibly in April 2024. Pricing details are unknown, but considering the rumored upgrades, we can expect the Z9 Turbo to be priced slightly higher than the standard Z9.
