iQOO has started off its India journey with a bang. The first flagship from the brand, #iQOO3, offers jaw-dropping hardware at an unprecedented price, which makes it absolutely impossible to ignore.
As awesome as the specs might read, the proof of the pudding is only in the eating. it’s important for the real-world experience to match up, and the iQOO 3 did hold up rather well to our scrutiny. In case you are still confused about whether or not to take the plunge, here are a few pointers that should help you make your mind.
1) Cutting-edge performance hardware
iQOO puts together the best possible core ingredients for the ‘3’. The handset is driven by Qualcomm’s latest flagship Soc, the 7nm-process based Snapdragon 865 octa-core that brings in 25% performance improvement over the last generation Snapdragon 855 delivered at 30% better power efficiency.
Not just the chipset, but even RAM and Storage are class-leading. The handset employs the latest LPDDR5 RAM (up to 12GB) and the latest UFS 3.1 storage (up to 256GB).
So, yes, it doesn’t come as a surprise that iQOO 3 is blazing fast! Right from the first touch, everything just flies by. Things like multitasking and app switching work flawlessly and the phone can adroitly handle demanding loads without breaking a sweat. Thanks to the latest generation in-display fingerprint sensor with GX chip, it takes just 0.29 seconds to securely get in.
2) Gaming Beast with 180Hz responsive touch
To have monstrous performance hardware is a pre-requisite, but not a sufficient condition for fabulous gaming. Luckily, iQOO 3 has quite a few hardware and software extras that enhance the gaming experience many folds.
To start with, the display supports 180Hz touch refresh rate (50% higher than the usual 120Hz). In simpler terms, the touch is extremely responsive and this translates to a massive gaming advantage.
There are two Monster Touch pressure-sensitive buttons on the side frame for quick multi-finger operations. These are aptly positioned and are particularly handy in FPS games like PUBG Mobile and Call Of Duty.
The iQOO 3 also has 4D vibrations that can simulate events like the recoil when shooting and the vibration of the steering wheel while driving for a lifelike experience.
The gaming experience is further embellished by a meticulously designed Monster Mode that fine-tunes system settings for maximum performance. Even the charging cable has a unique pill-shaped connector so it doesn’t get in the way when you are simultaneously charging and gaming. The impact of immersive audio and assuring battery, which we will get to in a bit, can’t be discounted either.
3) Looks fabulous, feels fabulous
No matter what the gaming or performance credentials, it’s hard to be drawn to a phone that doesn’t look the part. The iQOO 3, however, manages to look fabulous while packing an overwhelming amount of technology.
The handset has a premium glass-metal built. On the front, iQOO3 has a delightful and well-calibrated Polar view super AMOLED display that stretches edge-to-edge. The selfie snapper is housed in pinhole and is small enough to never get in the way.
iQOO 3 also has a dedicated AI-assistant key that can also be used to quickly enter ‘Monster mode’. The back glass is curved towards the edges, thus facilitating a firm grip. The handset is available in Volcano Orange, Quantum Silver, Tornado Black color options (and, if you ask us, the Volcano Orange is really something).
4) Excellent cameras
The iQOO 3 delivers excellent camera performance and I am sure for many that’d be reason enough. The quad-camera arrangement on the rear includes a 48MP primary camera, 13MP Telephoto camera with 20X Digital Zoom, 13MP super wide-angle (120-degrees) and Macro camera, and a 2MP Bokeh camera. The camera has Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) that helps shoot stable handheld videos.
The primary camera can capture stunning details even in tricky lighting conditions and the performance is comparable to high-end flagships like iPhone 11, OnePlus 7T Pro and Samsung Galaxy S20.
The app makes it simple to switch between lenses and thus the versatile camera system is fun to play with.
5) Immersive audio
iQOO 3 is equipped with AK4377A Hi-Fi independent chip, which is a stereo 32VELVET high-quality audio DAC. The handset also has Hi-Res audio certification. The audio output via loudspeaker is distinctly clear and extremely loud. The audio output via headphones is exceptionally good.
The phone retains 3.5mm audio jack, and iQOO also bundles great quality headphones in the box.
6) Unmatched battery convenience
No point integrating heavy-duty technology if the battery can’t sustain it. Well, the monstrous 4440mAh unit on the iQOO 3 more than ensures that gaming enthusiasts don’t suffer any battery anxiety.
We could comfortably muster a two-day average mileage even with heavy usage. Moreover, the phone supports a whopping 55W fast charging. In fact, the battery charges to 50% in just 15 minutes!
7) Future proof Connectivity
The iQOO 3 is one of the first phones in India that’s 5G ready. The deployment of this next-generation cellular connectivity option is still in nascent stages, but we will have 5G in many small pockets around the world in the next year or so.
Buying a 5G phone today should ensure that you don’t miss out when we transition from 4G LTE to 5G. Or when you travel abroad.
8) Intelligent software
Last but not the least, iQOO runs Android 10-based iQOO UI. The interface is highly intuitive and well designed and loaded with slick wallpapers and icon pack. The software is feature-rich and stable, and the UX should appeal to a broader taste.
The iQOO hits this one out of the park. The 3 is an exceptional phone, elegant on the outside and a #MonsterInside. For a very reasonable starting price of Rs. 36,999, the handset delivers the best possible performance hardware, an amazingly versatile camera system, a monstrous battery, and has the consumers well covered for the future.
The company is also well prepared for after-sales support and already has a Pan India iQOO Care network. The company provides free pick and drop service for any repair issues across the country covering more than 15000+ pin codes. For any on-call assistance, iQOO service experts are available 24*7 over the toll-free number 1800-572-4700
iQOO 3 will go on sale starting from March 4, 2020, at 12 noon on Flipkart and iqoo.com. The three variants are priced at INR 36,990 (8+128GB 4G), INR 39,990 (8+256GB 4G) and INR 44,990 (12+256GB 5G).
