iQOO 9 SE Review: A Powerhouse Mid-Ranger With Great Display and Performance

The iQOO 9 SE makes a bold statement in the mid-range smartphone market, combining a high-performance processor with a vibrant display and strong overall value. Targeted at users who prioritize processing power above all else, this device also includes a contrast-rich AMOLED panel and robust stereo speakers, positioning it as an excellent choice for multimedia consumption. However, camera reliability remains a concern that could be addressed with software updates.

In this review, we put the iQOO 9 SE through rigorous testing alongside the Samsung Galaxy A53. While the A53 boasts a solid camera, IP67 rating, and a premium display, it falls short in performance, lacks a charger in the box, and carries a higher price tag. At approximately NPR 33,990, the iQOO 9 SE stands out as the best phone in its bracket, offering an all-rounder experience similar to last year's iQOO 7.

Design

Measuring 163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm with a glass front and plastic frames, the iQOO 9 SE presents a well-built and comfortable design. The slight curves on the sides aid grip, though the Sunset Sierra variant is prone to fingerprints. Missing an IP rating and featuring Panda Glass protection, the design reflects typical mid-range compromises but remains solid overall.

Display

The 6.62-inch FHD+ AMOLED display delivers excellent contrast, near-accurate colors with a slight blue tint, and impressive brightness levels, making it ideal for media consumption. HDR10+ certification allows seamless streaming on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. While Samsung's color optimization on A-series phones edges ahead, the iQOO 9 SE's display is still a class above many budget competitors. The optical fingerprint sensor integrated into the display outperforms the Galaxy A53 in speed and reliability. However, auto-brightness functionality has issues, often requiring manual adjustment for optimal viewing in low-light conditions.

Performance

Equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage, the iQOO 9 SE achieves exceptional performance for its price range. In three weeks of use, the device showed no stutter, lag, or unusual heating, with smooth multitasking and excellent memory management. Gaming performance is strong, with PUBG Mobile achieving 60 fps at highest settings, though thermal management required occasional setting adjustments. While vapor chamber cooling prevents significant throttling, optimization for certain games like COD Mobile still needs improvement.

Cameras

The camera department presents the iQOO 9 SE's biggest challenge. Despite marginal improvements over devices like the OnePlus Nord 2 and Vivo V23, the camera setup falls short of expectations given the Snapdragon 888's capabilities. Images often appear unnaturally warm compared to the livelier photos from the Galaxy A53. Portrait processing requires significant software enhancement, though uniform lighting produces acceptable results. Nighttime photography suffers from delays in image processing, increasing the risk of blurred shots. While video recording up to 4K 60 fps is possible, electronic image stabilization is disabled at this resolution, and selfie/ultra-wide recording remains limited to 1080p 30 fps.

Conclusion

Despite camera shortcomings, the iQOO 9 SE excels in most other areas, offering a quality 120Hz AMOLED screen, rapid 66W fast charging, optimized daily performance, and strong audio output. Priced competitively around NPR 33,990, it represents exceptional value and earns our recommendation as the top choice in the sub NPR 35,000 segment, outperforming alternatives like the Galaxy A53 in raw processing power and overall balance.