The Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is a standout in the budget-to-mid-range smartphone segment, boasting impressive specifications for its price point. With its fast processor, smooth display, and solid camera performance, it aims to offer a powerful experience for gamers, casual users, and tech enthusiasts alike. However, despite the impressive features, users have reported several common issues, bugs, and problems that can affect its overall usability and performance.
In this detailed review, we’ll dive deep into these issues, highlighting how they affect the day-to-day user experience. Additionally, we’ll compare the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ with other smartphones in the same price bracket to help determine if it's the right choice for you.
1. Design and Build Quality: Impressive But Not Without Drawbacks
The Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ offers a sleek design with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display, smooth curves, and an overall premium feel. The glass back and metal frame give it an elegant appearance, but some users have raised concerns about the build quality.
a) Fragility of Glass Back
- Problem: The glass back of the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is prone to cracking or chipping if dropped, despite its premium look.
- Cause: The glass back, while providing an attractive finish, does not offer the same level of durability as plastic or reinforced materials.
- Impact: Accidental drops, even from a moderate height, can result in visible damage.
- User Experience:
“I love the look of the iQOO Z9 Turbo+, but after just one drop, the back glass shattered. I was disappointed since the phone was barely a few weeks old.” – User review on GSMArena.
b) Susceptibility to Scratches
- Problem: The glossy back panel and edges are highly susceptible to scratches, even with careful use.
- Impact: This can make the phone look worn out much sooner than expected.
- User Experience:
“I didn’t even drop it, but the back is already scratched after a few days of regular use. Definitely recommend using a case if you want to maintain its look.” – Feedback from an Amazon review.
2. Display: Smooth But Some Hiccups
The 6.78-inch AMOLED display on the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a high refresh rate of 120Hz, making it a solid choice for gaming and media consumption. However, it’s not entirely free from issues.
a) Touchscreen Sensitivity Problems
- Problem: Users have reported that the touchscreen occasionally fails to respond accurately, especially when performing quick swipes or multi-finger gestures.
- Cause: This could be due to software glitches or hardware calibration issues.
- Impact: This results in a frustrating experience, particularly for gamers or those who use the device for tasks that require precise touch input.
- User Experience:
“I’ve noticed that sometimes the screen doesn’t register my swipes, especially when gaming. It makes competitive games nearly unplayable.” – Review on Reddit.
b) Auto-Brightness Inconsistencies
- Problem: The auto-brightness function has been reported to behave erratically, causing the screen to randomly brighten or dim, even in stable lighting conditions.
- Impact: This not only affects usability but can also lead to unnecessary battery drain.
- User Experience:
“The auto-brightness feature seems to be on a mind of its own—either it dims too much or becomes blindingly bright without warning.” – User comment on a tech forum.
3. Performance: Fast But Not Without Hiccups
Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ offers robust performance, particularly in gaming and multitasking. However, like many high-performance devices, it does encounter some issues.
a) Thermal Throttling Under Load
- Problem: Despite the powerful processor, some users have experienced thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions or while running demanding apps.
- Cause: Prolonged use of high-performance tasks can cause the device to overheat, leading to a reduction in performance to prevent damage.
- Impact: Gaming sessions or heavy multitasking may see frame drops and lag as the phone reduces its processing power to cool down.
- User Experience:
“While gaming, I noticed a significant drop in performance after about 30 minutes, with noticeable frame rate stuttering. It seems like the phone gets too hot under load.” – Review on XDA Developers.
b) App Crashes and Freezes
- Problem: Some users have reported that apps, particularly resource-heavy apps like games or media editors, crash unexpectedly or freeze during use.
- Cause: These issues are often attributed to software instability or incompatible background processes.
- Impact: Frequent crashes can disrupt the user experience, especially when running apps that require a lot of system resources.
- User Experience:
“Apps like YouTube and Call of Duty Mobile keep crashing or freezing. It’s really frustrating, especially when you’re in the middle of something important.” – Feedback from a tech review site.
4. Battery Life: Long-Lasting, But Under Some Conditions
The 4,400mAh battery in the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ promises all-day battery life, but real-world usage has shown some inconsistencies.
a) Fast Battery Drain with Gaming
- Problem: While the battery generally lasts a full day under regular use, users have found that gaming or intensive tasks lead to rapid battery drain.
- Cause: High-performance games and continuous use of GPS and other features like high refresh rates can drain the battery much faster.
- Impact: Users may need to charge the device more frequently when engaging in extended gaming sessions or using power-hungry applications.
- User Experience:
“I can barely get 4-5 hours of gaming on a full charge. It’s pretty disappointing when you consider how fast the battery drains under load.” – User feedback on GSM Arena.
b) Inconsistent Charging Speed
- Problem: While the phone supports 66W fast charging, some users report that it takes longer to charge than expected, especially when using non-official chargers or cables.
- Impact: Slow charging can be frustrating, particularly for users who rely on quick top-ups throughout the day.
- User Experience:
“I expected faster charging, but even with the official charger, it’s sometimes slow to reach 100%. It can take over an hour, which isn’t great.” – Review on a tech forum.
5. Software: Smooth Yet Buggy
The Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ runs on Android 12 with Funtouch OS 12 on top. While this combination offers a smooth experience overall, there are some software-related problems that detract from its usability.
a) UI Lag and Slow Navigation
- Problem: Some users have experienced lag when navigating through the UI, especially when switching between apps or opening the settings.
- Cause: This could be due to unoptimized software or background processes consuming too many system resources.
- Impact: This can lead to a less fluid user experience, especially when compared to other devices with optimized software.
- User Experience:
“The UI sometimes feels sluggish when navigating between apps. It’s not terrible, but it’s definitely noticeable.” – User review on YouTube.
b) Delayed Software Updates
- Problem: Like many other mid-range smartphones, the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is prone to delayed software updates, which can leave users with outdated security patches and features.
- Impact: Delays in software updates can compromise security and prevent users from accessing new features.
- User Experience:
“The phone still hasn’t received the latest security update. It’s frustrating that Vivo is so slow in pushing updates for their devices.” – Feedback from a tech community.
6. Camera: Good, But Not Perfect
The 64MP primary camera on the Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ offers impressive resolution, but some users have pointed out certain limitations.
a) Low-Light Photography Struggles
- Problem: While the camera performs well in bright conditions, low-light performance is subpar, with noticeable noise and loss of detail in low-light or nighttime shots.
- Cause: This could be due to limitations in the camera sensor or software processing during low-light conditions.
- Impact: Low-light photography suffers, and users may need additional lighting for clear, sharp photos.
- User Experience:
“The camera takes decent shots in good light, but in low-light, it’s a mess. Photos are noisy, and details get lost.” – Review on TechRadar.
b) Slow Autofocus in Video Mode
- Problem: The autofocus during video recording has been reported to be slow and inconsistent, especially when transitioning between subjects.
- Impact: This can result in blurry
footage or missed focus, particularly during dynamic or fast-moving scenes.
- User Experience:
“Shooting videos is a hit or miss—sometimes the autofocus just doesn’t keep up. It’s frustrating when you need sharp focus during movement.” – User review on XDA Developers.
Conclusion: Is the Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ Worth It?
The Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ offers impressive performance, a smooth display, and a good camera for its price range. However, it is not without its shortcomings, including build quality concerns, battery issues under heavy use, and software bugs that can disrupt the experience.
Pros:
- Powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset.
- Great display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
- Solid camera performance in well-lit conditions.
- Fast charging support.
Cons:
- Prone to fragility (glass back) and scratches.
- Thermal throttling and performance drops under load.
- Battery drain during gaming.
- Inconsistent software updates and UI lag.
Better Alternatives:
- OnePlus Nord 3: A well-rounded device with strong performance and a smoother UI.
- Realme GT 2 Pro: Offers a better display, faster charging, and consistent performance.
- Poco F4: Strong all-around performer with better camera quality and faster charging.
Verdict: The Vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is a good option for users who prioritize performance and display quality, but its build quality and battery life under load may be deal-breakers for those seeking a more durable and reliable device. If you're willing to overlook its flaws, it's still a solid choice, but there are other options available in the market that may provide better long-term value.