vivo iQOO Z3 5G hands-on review

GSMArena Team, 14 Sept 2021.

Introduction

Vivo's sub-brand iQOO is mainly known for its gaming-oriented phones, but with the Z-series, the company wants to appeal to a different audience - the Gen-Z. That's why the series is called iQOO Z.

We have the iQOO Z3 in our hands - a phone that has already been released in China back in April, but only recently made its way to the international market.

vivo iQOO Z3 5G hands-on review

The OEM says that it wants to distance itself from the gaming label with the Z-series, and we should be assessing the Z3 as a whole package - a fairly capable all-rounder with aggressive pricing. It's also one of the first Snapdragon 768G-powered devices - it's a potent chipset, and we are talking from experience.

vivo iQOO Z3 specs at a glance:

  • Body: 164.0x75.3x8.5mm, 186g; Panda Glass on the front, plastic back and frame.
  • Display: 6.58" IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz, 1080x2408px resolution, 20.07:9 aspect ratio, 401ppi.
  • Chipset: Qualcomm SDM768 Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm): Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver); Adreno 620.
  • Memory: 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM; UFS 2.2; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
  • OS/Software: Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 (International), OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO (China).
  • Rear camera: Wide (main): 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm, 1/4.0", 1.12µm; Macro: 2 MP, f/2.4.
  • Front camera: 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide).
  • Video capture: Rear camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps.
  • Battery: 4400mAh; Fast charging 55W.
  • Misc: Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); 3.5mm jack.

Paired with 6GB/128GB memory in the base model and running a 6.58-inch 120Hz display (although IPS), and supporting 55W charging, the iQOO Z3 sounds like a good bargain at INR 19,999 starting price. Not to mention that this is one of the few 5G-capable devices in its class, and vivo is betting big on that, relying on customer research.

vivo iQOO Z3 5G hands-on review

And if you are lucky enough, you can get the Cyber Blue variant with a frosted glass-like finish. We can definitely see iQOO's apparent attempt to appeal to the Gen-Z audience. In case you need something less flashy, the more orthodox Ace Black and Silver colors are available for you.

Now let's take a deeper dive into the Z3 and see how it fares against the competition, too.

Reader comments

  • Venu gowda
  • 08 Sep 2022
  • rJj

Phone is good but my phone charging animation is not working ..

  • Fasil Aluva
  • 17 Jul 2022
  • ypc

Not working ashphalt 9Games

  • Adarsh
  • 28 Jan 2022
  • D0b

I am using this phone for 4 months and i satisfied with the phone but it was not up to the mark i bought it for, good for gaming, very fast charging, but bad design like drop selfie cam...