iQOO Launches Z11i at ¥1,299 With 120Hz Screen and 6,500mAh Battery

Q: As older iQOO phones lose support, what are the real chances the new Z11i will ever see the Android 17 update?

The iQOO Z11i’s chances of getting Android 17 look low. The main reason is uncertainty around Vivo/iQOO’s software policy for budget phones. The Z11i launches with Android 16-based OriginOS 6, so in theory it would need only one major OS upgrade to reach Android 17. But Vivo has not publicly confirmed an update commitment for this model, and that matters more than the hardware. The broader evidence is not encouraging. Recent expected Android 17 eligibility lists for Vivo and iQOO devices include models such as the iQOO Z10, Z10x, Z10 Lite, Z10R, and Z11x, but not the Z11i. That omission is not definitive, yet it is a strong signal, especially since analysts have noted that Vivo’s update policy is less transparent for entry-level devices. The Z11i’s market position also works against it. At roughly ¥1,299 to ¥1,699, it is clearly an entry-level phone, and brands typically reserve longer software support for mid-range and flagship models. The fact that older Z-series phones are already falling off the support list reinforces that pattern. There is still a narrow path to Android 17 if Vivo decides to extend the same support approach it uses on some mid-range phones, but there is no firm evidence that this will happen for the Z11i. For now, the safest expectation is Android 16 out of the box, with Android 17 possible but unlikely unless iQOO confirms it officially.

Q: Is the iQOO Z11i’s giant battery a feature or a flaw when paired with such slow 15W charging technology?

It is more flaw than feature for most buyers. The iQOO Z11i’s 6,500mAh battery is a real strength in daily use: it should comfortably outlast many budget rivals, especially paired with an HD+ LCD and Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chip that are relatively power-efficient. For users who value endurance over everything else, that matters more than headline charging speed. The problem is that 15W wired charging is unusually slow for a battery this large. In practical terms, a full recharge is likely to take several hours, making quick top-ups far less useful. In a market where even affordable phones increasingly offer 20W, 33W or higher, the Z11i’s charging setup feels behind the curve. That weakens the appeal of such a big battery, because the larger the cell, the more painful slow charging becomes. There is one legitimate upside: slower charging generally produces less heat and puts less stress on the battery, which can help long-term battery health. For users who charge overnight and rarely run low during the day, 15W may be acceptable and even gentler on the battery. But for mainstream users, convenience usually wins. A giant battery is only fully a feature when the charging system can refill it in a reasonable time. On the Z11i, the battery itself is a feature, while the 15W charging is the compromise that turns it into a mixed proposition.

3 articles · Updated · mymobileindia.com · Jul 3

China got iQOO’s new entry-level Z11i at a starting price of ¥1,299, with higher 8GB+128GB and 8GB+256GB versions priced at ¥1,499 and ¥1,699.
The phone pairs a 6.74-inch HD+ LCD running at 120Hz with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
A 6,500mAh battery is one of its main selling points, backed by 15W wired charging and reverse wired charging for basic power-sharing.
iQOO also equips the Z11i with a 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, Android 16-based OriginOS 6, IP65 protection and a 3.5mm headphone jack.