iQoo 12 Review: Are you in the market for a new smartphone that offers top-notch performance without breaking the bank? Look no further than the iQoo 12. This sleek and powerful device combines maximum performance with a minimum price tag, making it an attractive option for tech-savvy individuals on a budget.
In this review, we’ll dive into the key features of the iQoo 12, including its impressive processing power, stunning display, and advanced camera capabilities. We’ll also take a closer look at how it compares to other smartphones in its price range and whether it’s worth the investment. So, if you’re ready to upgrade your smartphone game without emptying your wallet, keep reading to learn more about the iQoo 12.
iQoo 12 Review 2024
Earlier this week, the iQoo 12 made its debut in India as the first smartphone in the country to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Positioned as a gaming-focused device, it is expected to raise the bar for upcoming phones equipped with Qualcomm’s flagship chip. While iQoo’s previous flagship models have primarily emphasized performance, last year’s iQoo 11 5G introduced enhanced camera specifications but also came with a higher price compared to both its predecessor and the new iQoo 12.
The iQoo 12 could be an attractive choice for those seeking a phone with top-of-the-line performance due to its combination of advanced features and affordable price. However, before deciding whether to purchase this phone or wait for other flagship phones powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, read our review to make an informed decision.
iQoo 12 Review Details
| Article Name | iQoo 12 Review |
| Category | Tech |
| Official Website | www.iqoo.com |
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iQoo 12 price in India
The iQoo 12 is available in two variants, with the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model priced at Rs. 52,999 and the 16GB + 512GB RAM and storage variant retailing for Rs. 57,999. Upon purchase, the smartphone comes with a transparent TPU case, a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable, and a 120W SuperVOOC charging brick. The phone can be purchased on Amazon and is available in Alpha and Legend colourways.
The rear panels of the phone are crafted from AG glass and porcelain enamel glass for Alpha and Legend models respectively, enhancing its aesthetic appeal while also providing durability. With its impressive specs, aesthetically pleasing design, and ease of accessibility via e-commerce platforms like Amazon, the iQoo 12 is an excellent choice for those looking for high-end smartphones at competitive prices.
iQoo 12 Review: Design
We put the iQoo 12 ‘Legend’ review unit to the test, equipped with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The phone comes in a white color variant and features flat metallic sides with curved corners. Its glossy rear panel has a slightly slippery feel, but the included TPU cover not only provides better grip but also prevents fingerprints and smudges from accumulating on the surface.
The rear panel of the iQoo 12 features a camera module positioned on the left side. This module is in the form of a rounded square and is encircled by a metallic ring with a ridged edge. Despite being located to one side, the camera does not cause any instability when the phone is placed on its back. Weighing 203.9 grams, the iQoo 12 doesn’t feel excessively heavy, even after prolonged use.
The screen of the phone features thin edges all around and a hole-punch cutout located centrally at the top to accommodate the front-facing camera. On the back panel, towards the bottom, there is a discreet BMW Motorsport logo, unlike the iQoo 11 5G which has a prominent racing stripe. This model also introduces an IP64 rating for protection against dust and splashes, marking a first for this series. Consequently, if you happen to be caught in the rain while outdoors, the phone should withstand it without any issues.
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iQoo 12 Review: Specifications and software
The iQoo 12 operates on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, combined with the company’s in-house Q1 chip that enhances gaming performance. It features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a fingerprint scanner integrated beneath it. Additionally, it offers up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.0 storage. This smartphone supports various connectivity options such as 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC. It also includes a USB 2.0 Type-C port for charging and data transfers, while its battery has a capacity of 5,000mAh.
The package includes a USB Type-C to USB Type-C cable and a 120W Super VOOC charging brick. The iQoo 12 guarantees a total of four years of software support, consisting of three years of operating system and security updates, as well as an extra year of security updates. Running on the newest Android 14 operating system from Google, the smartphone also features Vivo’s Funtouch OS 14 interface. Its user-friendly nature offers various functionalities found in Android 14, such as customizable lock screens and Vivo’s enhancements to multitasking, RAM management, and smooth transitions when launching and closing applications.
On your device, you will find several apps already installed including Netflix, Spotify, Snapchat, Facebook, and PhonePe. However, it is possible to uninstall these apps with just a few taps. On the other hand, the V-Appstore that comes with the device will periodically send notifications every few hours to encourage you to try out new apps. The V-Appstore may occasionally prompt you to download a collection of apps – these apps are already chosen for you, and the skip button is not located in its usual place. Additionally, the store will display a popup to set up Hot Apps and Hot Games, resulting in the appearance of these two promotional folders on the home screen. However, both of these folders can be manually deleted if desired.
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iQoo 12 Review: Performance
As of the time of writing this review, the iQoo 12 stands as the most dominant Android smartphone available for purchase in India. It possesses the capability to effortlessly run highly demanding games such as Genshin Impact and Fortnite. Genshin Impact can be played on the highest graphics setting, while Fortnite runs smoothly on the Epic setting at 90fps with high-resolution textures. Even after approximately 50 minutes of continuous gameplay, there were no signs of performance issues such as throttling, lag, or stuttering.
The Funtouch OS is specifically designed to enhance the performance of the iQoo 12, ensuring a seamless scrolling experience with no interruptions in the interface. Users can effortlessly switch between multiple apps without experiencing any delays or the need for the operating system to reload them. I was able to quickly resume playing Genshin Impact without having to reload the game on several occasions, even after using other apps and taking photos with the camera for a few hours.
During our benchmark tests, the phone achieved an impressive score of 1,983,471 points on AnTuTu v10. This score surpasses that of many other smartphones currently on the market. For comparison, when we reviewed the OnePlus 11 earlier this year, it scored 1,189,556 points on AnTuTu v10. It is important to note that the OnePlus 11 features a QHD+ display, whereas the iQoo 12 utilizes a full-HD+ panel.
The phone achieved a score of 2,225 points in the Geekbench 6 single-core test and 6,726 points in the multi-core test. While these scores are notably higher than other phones currently on the market, they fall short when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro with Apple’s A17 Pro chip, which achieved a score of 2,903 points in the single-core test and 7,223 points in the multi-core test.
The phone achieved a content display rate of 143fps in both the GFXBench T-Rex and Manhattan 3.1 tests, while it attained a score of 127fps in the GFXBench Car Chase benchmark. Additionally, the iQoo 12 performed exceptionally well in 3DMark’s Slingshot, Slingshot Extreme (OpenGL), Wild Life, and Wild Life Unlimited benchmarks, achieving the highest possible scores.
The iQoo 12 features a large 6.78-inch quad-HD (1,260 x 2,800 pixels) LTPO AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 144Hz and an instant touch sampling rate of 1,200Hz. The screen, which has a claimed peak brightness of 1,400 nits (3,000 nits in high brightness mode), offers clear visuals and accurately represents colors when the natural display mode is enabled.
The auto brightness mode of the display provides a significant level of brightness, particularly when you are outside in sunny conditions. In low-light situations, the phone’s display becomes dimmer thanks to its 2,160Hz pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming support. The touch response is exceptional, and you will not experience any problems while playing games such as Call of Duty: Mobile or Battlegrounds Mobile India. Additionally, the phone is fitted with stereo speakers that can produce loud sound without much distortion.
The iQoo 12 comes with a 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging. We achieved a full charge from 0 to 100 in less than half an hour (with an average time of 28 minutes). During our HD video loop test, the phone lasted for 19 hours and 25 minutes on a single charge, which is in line with other phones in this category. Despite the phone’s powerful processor, it can comfortably last for over a day with a combination of gaming, web browsing, social media usage, and photo/video recording.
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iQoo 12 Review: Cameras
The iQoo 12 is equipped with three rear cameras. These include a primary camera with a 50-megapixel resolution and a 1/1.3-inch sensor, which also features optical image stabilization (OIS). Additionally, there is a periscope telephoto camera with a 64-megapixel resolution and OIS, allowing for 3x optical zoom. Lastly, there is an ultra-wide-angle camera with a 50-megapixel resolution and a field-of-view of 120 degrees. On the front of the device, there is a selfie camera with a 16-megapixel resolution and an f/2.5 aperture.
The user-friendly camera interface of the iQoo 12, accompanied by Funtouch OS 14, is effortlessly navigable, with most settings and options just a few taps away. While some features may be hidden within the interface, the app conveniently suggests various camera modes based on the scene being captured. Additionally, a slider allows users to seamlessly switch between camera modes. The primary camera delivers clear images with mostly accurate colors, particularly excelling in well-lit environments.
To achieve better results, it is advisable to adjust the primary camera’s portrait mode from its default f/1.4 setting to f/4.5 or slightly higher.
Among the three cameras on the iQoo 12, the 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera is the least capable. Although it captures a significant amount of detail, it fails to accurately reproduce colors like the primary camera does. Additionally, during daylight hours, it has a tendency to overexpose the sky. However, there are no concerns regarding distortion along the edges. On multiple occasions, I caught myself moving backwards and capturing photos using the primary camera instead of depending on the ultra-wide-angle camera.
The ultra-wide-angle camera doesn’t allow sufficient light in low light situations, resulting in dark images. This is another justification for utilizing the more proficient primary camera. In contrast, the telephoto camera is remarkably impressive for capturing images at a maximum zoom of 10x, and even up to 30x if you have a steady grip. The camera application features a horizontal slider that allows you to select your desired zoom level, but you may encounter stabilization problems as you exceed 30x zoom.
You can make use of a convenient preview feature that displays the specific area of the scene you are zooming in on. When using a tripod, you can push the camera up to 100x digital zoom. However, it is worth noting that the final shot may appear somewhat over processed and smoothed out. Nonetheless, the subject remains clearly identifiable.
The camera app offers three modes for portrait photography: 1x, 2x, and 3x. The first two modes utilize the primary camera, while the third mode employs the telephoto camera. The latter option produces exceptional portrait images of individuals and animals, with a perfect amount of bokeh. However, if desired, you can also adjust the bokeh effect for portrait images taken with the primary camera using the built-in gallery app.
In situations with minimal lighting, the smartphone utilizes the main camera for both 1x and 3x shots (achieved through digital cropping). However, during daylight hours, it switches to the telephoto lens for the latter. The camera provides a prompt to switch to the night mode feature, but it is recommended to only use this setting when capturing images with the primary camera at 1x zoom. Attempting to zoom in further will result in blurry photos that lack significant detail. We captured these particular images using a tripod.
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The Super Macro mode of the telephoto camera on the iQoo 12 captures highly detailed images. The selfies taken with this device are generally clear and the skin tones are mostly accurate, although you may need to manually disable the default skin smoothening option. If you want to capture a video of yourself, it is recommended to use the rear camera and a tripod as the front camera may have some difficulties with focus and exposure when transitioning between bright and dim areas.
The main camera of the iQoo 12 has the capability to capture videos in 4K resolution at a frame rate of 60fps with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). However, when recording in 8K resolution, the frame rate is limited to 30fps and OIS is not available. Videos taken during daylight using the iQoo 12 are smooth and free from any tearing or artifacts, and the stabilization feature works effectively when recording in 4K resolution at 60fps. In low-light conditions, it is recommended to use the built-in Night Mode and record at a zoom level of 1x. The Night Mode also allows for digital zoom up to 3x using the same primary sensor.
The camera application incorporates a motion autofocus function that can be adjusted to either automatic or manual mode. From my personal experience, the automatic mode functioned effectively. However, it is not possible to switch between the front and rear cameras once recording has commenced. Additionally, within the settings section of the app, there is a convenient microphone selector tool that allows you to choose from the phone’s built-in microphone, an external microphone connected via the USB Type-C port, or one connected through Bluetooth.
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iQoo 12 Review: Verdict
As of the time of writing this review, the iQoo 12 is the sole smartphone available in India that features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. It is currently in competition with the OnePlus 11, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, and the iPhone 13. Each of these four smartphones is equipped with distinct processors and provides different levels of software support. In our review of the iQoo 11 5G, we suggested that its forerunner, the iQoo 9 Pro, provided a superior camera configuration at a more affordable cost. This is because the iQoo 11 5G was released at Rs. 59,999.
However, this week, the price of the iQoo 11 5G has been reduced to Rs. 51,999, and with a bank discount, it can be purchased for Rs. 49,999. Nevertheless, you can purchase the new iQoo 12 in India at the same price if you take advantage of eligible bank card offers. Even though it is priced at Rs. 52,999, it provides more value than its predecessor since it will receive software support for a longer period of time.
If you are in the market for a smartphone that has a strong processor and a dependable camera, then the iQoo 12 is worth considering at its current price. While the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE (Review) has an Exynos 2200 chip and cannot match the performance of the iQoo 12, it does not have any promotional content displayed. On the other hand, the iPhone 13 (Review) lacks a telephoto camera but excels in capturing better ultra-wide-angle photos and low light photography. Another option to consider is the OnePlus 11, which features a triple camera setup at the back and is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset.
This combination should provide ample capability for handling demanding tasks and playing high-end games. Additionally, it’s worth noting that although the OnePlus 11 (Review) lacks a periscope telephoto camera like the iQoo 11, its low light photography performance surpasses that of iQoo‘s flagship phone by a significant margin, as iQoo’s phone falls short in this aspect. Is it worth purchasing the iQoo 12 right now?
The decision ultimately relies on whether you are solely interested in acquiring a phone equipped with the most up-to-date chipset. If that is indeed your main criteria, it may be advisable to hold off for a few weeks until new phones such as the OnePlus 12, which feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, are introduced in India. However, considering the pricing of their previous models, it is improbable that these phones will be priced competitively against the iQoo 12 upon their release in the country.
Conclusion
The iQoo 12 is a smartphone that delivers maximum performance at a minimum price, making it an excellent choice for tech enthusiasts and budget-conscious consumers alike. With its powerful processor, stunning display, and impressive camera capabilities, the iQoo 12 offers a premium experience without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a gamer, a photographer, or simply someone who wants a high-performing device at an affordable price, the iQoo 12 is definitely worth considering. So why wait? Experience the power and affordability of the iQoo 12 for yourself today.
iQoo 12 Review FAQ
What is the price of iQOO 12?
The iQOO 12 is priced at Rs 52,999.
What is the display size of iQOO 12?
It features a 6.78-inch quad-HD LTPO AMOLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate and 1,200Hz instant touch sampling rate.
What is the battery capacity of iQOO 12?
iQOO 12 is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging.
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