The iQOO Z3 launches as one of the world's few Snapdragon 768G-powered phones

The iQOO Z3 is a phone formerly rumored to launch with the new MediaTek flagship Dimensity 1200 processor, as its predecessor the Z1 did with the Dimensity 1000+. However, its actual platform, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G, might prove compelling as there are still not many other phones with the same SoC around.

This new route to the 765G-supplanting mid-range 5G-capable processor has an FHD+ 20:9 display with a tear-drop notch, a 120Hz refresh rate and 180Hz touch-sampling rate - it's a shame, then, about that LCD panel.

Nevertheless, iQOO asserts that the Z3 will perform well in heavy tasks such as gaming, thanks to the new graphite heat sink and heat-pipe arrangement for its rarer-than-average CPU. This thermal management system is rated to reduced the Z3's temperature by up to 10°C under load.

Otherwise, the Z3 also has a triple rear camera set-up with a 64MP main camera, and its 4,400mAh battery is capable of 55W Flash Charging. All in all, it is a considerable departure from the Z1's attempted-flagship-mauling roots. The new phone runs OriginOS for iQOO based on Android 11, and has a 3.5mm port.

The Z3 is up for pre-order now through its brand's owner Vivo's own online store, starting at 1,699 yuan (~US$260) for a base model with 6GB of (LPDDR4X) RAM and 128GB of (UFS 2.2) internal storage.

There are also 8GB RAM SKUs with 128GB (1,799/~$275) or 256GB (1,999/~$305) of space. By contrast, its direct competitor, the Redmi K30 Extreme Edition, started at 1,999 yuan for a single 6/128GB SKU.

Buy an iQOO Z1 on Newegg