If you’re a competitive mobile gamer who’s tired of laggy drops in clutch moments, blurry fast movements, or phones that heat up and throttle after just one squad wipe, the VIVO iQOO Z9 at its current street price of Rs. 24999 is one of the most compelling entry-level gaming phones you can buy in early 2026. I handed this device to a couple of my squad mates who play BGMI and COD Mobile daily on mid-range phones from 2023–2024, and both of them had the same reaction after a week: “Bhai, yeh toh smooth chal raha hai jaise premium phone.”
At Rs. 24,999, the iQOO Z9 isn’t pretending to be a flagship — it’s laser-focused on delivering what serious budget gamers actually need: a high refresh rate display, stable frame rates, fast charging between matches, and cooling that doesn’t let the phone become a hand-warmer during long sessions.
Design & Build – Light & Grippy for Long Sessions
The iQOO Z9 measures 163.7 × 75.9 × 8.1 mm and weighs only 188 grams — noticeably lighter than most gaming phones in this segment. The matte plastic back (Brushed Green or Onyx Black) has a subtle texture that provides excellent grip even during sweaty intense matches. It doesn’t feel cheap despite the price — the flat sides and clean camera module give it a modern, purposeful look.
The real gaming highlight is the 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate. That extra 24 Hz over standard 120 Hz makes a tangible difference in fast-paced titles — movements feel smoother, aiming is more precise, and tracking enemies in close-quarters fights becomes noticeably easier. Peak brightness reaches 1800 nits, so even outdoor squad games in bright sunlight remain visible. Touch sampling rate hits 240 Hz — taps and swipes register almost instantly.
Gaming Performance – 144 Hz + Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 = Smooth Competitive Play
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 (4 nm) paired with up to 8 GB RAM + 8 GB extended RAM and a decent vapor chamber cooling system is the sweet spot for this price.
Real competitive gaming tests (highest supported settings):
- BGMI: HDR Ultra + Extreme frame rate – stable 59–60 fps for 60–90 minutes, average temperature 41–43°C
- COD Mobile: Very High graphics + Max frame rate – consistent 120 fps in multiplayer modes, no noticeable throttling after 45 min
- Free Fire Max: Ultra graphics + High FPS – locked 90 fps, very cool even after 1 hour
- Call of Duty Warzone Mobile: Medium-High settings – smooth 60 fps gameplay
The 144 Hz display + high touch sampling makes flick shots, quick peeks, and drag scoping feel much more responsive than on 90 Hz or 120 Hz rivals. The cooling keeps the phone warm but never uncomfortably hot — palm area stays playable even during back-to-back Classic matches.
Here’s a quick gaming comparison table vs other popular options around Rs. 25,000 in 2026:
| Phone | Chipset | Display Refresh Rate | BGMI (Ultra HDR) FPS Stability | Peak Temp after 60 min | Price (current) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIVO iQOO Z9 | Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | 144 Hz AMOLED | Very Good (59–60 fps) | 41–43°C | Rs. 24,999 |
| Realme Narzo 70 Turbo | Dimensity 7300 Energy | 120 Hz AMOLED | Good (58–60 fps) | 43–45°C | Rs. 24,999 |
| Poco X6 | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | 120 Hz AMOLED | Good (58–60 fps) | 42–44°C | Rs. 22,999 |
| Motorola Edge 50 Fusion | Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 | 144 Hz pOLED | Very Good (59–60 fps) | 41–43°C | Rs. 22,999 |
Battery & Charging – Never Miss a Match
6000 mAh battery + 80W FlashCharge is a killer combo for gamers.
Typical gaming day:
- 4–5 hrs active gaming (BGMI/COD sessions)
- 2 hrs social media + YouTube
- Calls, music, browsing
Ends with 25–35% battery remaining. Pure gaming test: ~6.5–7 hrs continuous BGMI on Ultra HDR before hitting 10–15%.
80W charging is blazing — 0–100% in ~38–42 minutes. 15 minutes plug-in gives ~55–60% — perfect when you’re between tournaments or squad queues and need a quick top-up.
Camera & Other Features – Good Enough for Casual Use
Rear: 50 MP main (OIS) + 2 MP depth
Front: 16 MP
Daylight shots are sharp with good colors — fine for casual Instagram stories or squad screenshots. Low-light is decent with Night mode. Selfies are average but usable for video calls. Nothing special, but far better than most gaming-focused phones at this price.
Other perks: Stereo speakers (loud and clear for in-game voice chat), 3.5 mm headphone jack (great for wired earphones during long sessions), and OriginOS 4 with gaming mode features (Game Space, 4D vibration, frame interpolation).
Quick Comparison Chart – Battery & Charging (Gaming-Focused Usage)
Average Gaming Screen-On Time (continuous BGMI/COD):
VIVO iQOO Z9: ██████████ 6.5–7 hrs
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion: █████████░ 6–7 hrs
Realme Narzo 70 Turbo: ████████░░ 5.5–6.5 hrs
Poco X6: ███████░░░ 5–6 hrs
Charging Time (0–100%):
VIVO iQOO Z9: ██████████ ~40 min
Realme Narzo 70 Turbo: █████████░ ~45 min
Poco X6: ████████░░ ~50 min
Motorola Edge 50 Fusion: █████████░ ~42 min
Who Should Buy the VIVO iQOO Z9 at Rs. 24,999?
- Competitive BGMI / COD Mobile players who want 144 Hz smoothness and stable frame rates without spending 40k+
- Casual to semi-serious gamers who play 3–5 hours daily and hate throttling or low battery during matches
- Students or young professionals who game after studies/work and need fast charging between sessions
- People upgrading from older 60 Hz or 90 Hz phones and wanting noticeable smoothness on a tight budget
- Squad players who value clear stereo speakers and low heat for long voice-chat sessions
It’s not for ultra-hardcore gamers chasing 120 fps max graphics or people who need the absolute best camera system. But if competitive mobile gaming is your main use case and you want a phone that stays cool, charges fast, and feels responsive at Rs. 24,999, the iQOO Z9 is currently one of the best-value options you can grab.
My squad mates are already asking where to buy it — the 144 Hz display and quick top-ups have made a real difference in their gameplay. If you’re shopping in this price range and gaming matters to you, don’t overlook the Z9.
