iQoo releases new entry-level smartphone with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset

iQoo has expanded its Z11 series in China by launching the new iQoo Z11i smartphone. This is the company’s latest affordable 5G smartphone, which joins the iQoo Z11, the iQoo Z11 Turbo, and the iQoo Z11x in the brand’s roster. This time around, iQoo went with the Qualcomm chipset for its entry-level 5G smartphone. 

Speaking more precisely, the device is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset paired with up to 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage, which is further expandable up to 1 TB via microSD card. For context, the other two members in the Z11 series, namely the Z11 and the Z11x, come with MediaTek chipsets. The only exception is the Z11 Turbo, which features the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor. 

The 5G-enabled smartphone features a 6.74-inch LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 720 pixels. Furthermore, it supports up to a 120 Hz refresh rate and offers 1,200 nits of peak brightness. The Z11i comes with a single 13 MP rear camera complemented by an LED flash and an RGB ring light. Up front, you get a 5 MP snapper for selfies and video chats. 

Software-wise, it runs Android 16-based OriginOS 6 out of the box. However, there’s no word on its software support from the brand, indicating that software updates may never arrive. Notably, the device has the lowest battery capacity in the lineup, featuring a 6,500 mAh battery with support for 15 W wired charging. Other features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, an IP65 dust and splash resistance rating, dual-band WiFi, and up to 8 GB dynamic RAM expansion support. 

As for price, the iQoo Z11i starts at CNY 1,299 (~$190) for the base 6 GB + 128 GB model, while the 8 GB + 128 GB and the 8 GB + 256 GB models are priced at CNY 1,499 (~$210) and CNY 1,699 (~$240), respectively. The smartphone is now on sale in China via Vivo’s online store, and buyers can choose from desert gold, ink shadow, and light blue colorways. The company hasn’t revealed whether the Z11i will launch in global markets or remain exclusive to China.