Tech
iQOO Z11i Shocks Budget Market With 6,500mAh Battery, 120Hz Display… Is This the New Entry-Level King?
Launched in China as part of the expanding Z11 series, the new iQOO Z11i blends massive battery life, smooth visuals, and 5G-ready performance—at a surprisingly aggressive price point.
The budget smartphone segment just got a serious shake-up. Chinese tech brand iQOO has officially introduced its latest device, the iQOO Z11i, in China, adding another strong contender to its growing Z11 lineup. Positioned as an entry-level yet performance-focused smartphone, the device tries to balance affordability with features usually seen in higher segments.
The iQOO Z11i arrives with a 6.74-inch LCD display offering HD+ resolution (1600 × 720 pixels), but what stands out is its smooth 120Hz refresh rate, making everyday scrolling and gaming noticeably fluid. The screen peaks at 1,200 nits brightness and also includes eye comfort enhancements such as DC dimming and TÜV Rheinland low blue light certification, aimed at reducing strain during long usage hours.
Design-wise, the phone brings back the classic waterdrop notch—something many brands had moved away from—giving it a more familiar and practical front layout.
Under the hood, the device runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset, paired with up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. Users also get expandable storage via microSD, which continues to be a welcome addition in this segment.
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One of the biggest highlights is undoubtedly the massive 6,500mAh battery. Combined with 15W charging support and reverse wired charging, the iQOO Z11i is clearly designed for heavy users who don’t want to stay tethered to a charger. The device runs on Android 16 with OriginOS 6 layered on top, offering a refreshed software experience.
On the camera front, the setup remains minimal but functional: a 5MP front camera and a 13MP rear sensor with autofocus and 1080p video recording support. While it won’t compete with camera-centric phones, it is aimed at basic photography and daily usage.
The phone also packs several practical features including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB Type-C port, Bluetooth 5.1, IR blaster, and an IP65-rated build for dust and water resistance. The device further carries SGS five-star drop resistance certification, adding durability to its long list of entry-level strengths.
In terms of pricing, the iQOO Z11i is already available in China in Ink Shadow, Qingfeng, and Desert Gold colour options. The base variant (6GB + 128GB) is priced at 1,299 Yuan (~$190), while higher variants go up to 1,699 Yuan (~$237), making it a competitive option in the budget category.
With this launch, iQOO continues to strengthen its presence in the entry-level and mid-range smartphone market, focusing on battery life and smooth performance rather than flashy flagship features.
