Even four years after its initial launch in February 2022, the iQOO 9 SE 5G remains a strong performer. The phone originally came with a Snapdragon 888 processor and premium features, making it a flagship device at the time. Now, refurbished models are available for less than 25,000 rupees in India, offering a budget-friendly way to experience high-end performance.
This makes the iQOO 9 SE an attractive option for students, gamers, and anyone looking for a fast, reliable smartphone without paying full flagship prices.
Design and Build Quality
The iQOO 9 SE is designed to feel solid without being bulky. It measures 163.2mm in height, 76.4mm in width, and 8.4mm in thickness, weighing 199 grams. The size allows for comfortable one-handed use, while the build quality ensures durability.
The front panel is protected with Panda Glass, which resists scratches and minor drops. The plastic frame is sturdy, and although the phone lacks a memory card slot, it provides internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB. Color options include Space Fusion and Sunset Sierra, offering a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The fingerprint scanner is located under the display, providing quick and reliable unlocking. Dual SIM support adds flexibility for users who manage multiple numbers.
Display That Impresses
The iQOO 9 SE features a 6.62-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen produces vibrant colors, sharp details, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for watching videos, gaming, or browsing social media.
A 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive gameplay, while a touch sampling rate of 360Hz enhances gaming control. The display can reach 1200 nits at peak brightness, making it visible even under bright sunlight. Support for HDR10+ further enhances video playback quality.
Performance and Gaming Capabilities
Powered by the Snapdragon 888 chipset, the iQOO 9 SE delivers robust performance even in 2026. The octa-core processor includes a 2.84GHz core for heavy tasks, three cores at 2.42GHz, and four efficient cores at 1.8GHz. The Adreno 660 GPU ensures smooth graphics rendering, and the device scores over 850,000 points on AnTuTu benchmarks.
This performance allows users to run demanding games like Genshin Impact, PUBG, or BGMI on medium to high settings. The phone’s cooling system, which includes liquid cooling and graphite layers, keeps temperatures low during extended gaming sessions, preventing overheating that often affects other older phones.
Special gaming features such as Monster Mode, Frame Stabilization, Network Booster, and Ultra Game Mode provide optimized performance, maintain stable frame rates, and minimize interruptions for a superior gaming experience.
Camera Setup
The iQOO 9 SE comes with a triple camera setup on the rear: a 48MP Sony IMX582 main camera with optical image stabilization, a 13MP ultrawide camera covering 120 degrees, and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots. This combination delivers sharp, vibrant photos in daylight and decent results in low light with Night Mode.
The 16MP front camera is suitable for selfies and video calls. Both front and rear cameras support 4K video recording at 60fps, with gyro stabilization ensuring smooth, shake-free videos. While the camera setup may not compete with 2026 flagship models, it is more than adequate for social media, everyday photography, and casual content creation.
Battery Life and Charging
The iQOO 9 SE houses a 4500mAh battery, providing a full day of usage under normal conditions. Heavy users, including gamers, can expect around 10 to 11 hours of screen-on time.
Fast charging support up to 66W allows the phone to reach 50% charge in just 14 minutes and a full charge in 39 minutes. Smart charging features protect the battery during overnight charging, extending battery longevity.
Audio, Connectivity, and Extras
The phone comes with stereo speakers, offering clear and loud sound for media consumption without the need for headphones. While it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth and USB-C audio solutions work seamlessly. The X-axis linear motor delivers responsive vibration feedback, enhancing gaming and typing experiences.
Software updates have continued through Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 12, keeping the interface smooth and relatively free from bloatware. Security updates were promised through 2025, making the phone secure and reliable.
How the iQOO 9 SE Holds Up
Even in 2026, the iQOO 9 SE retains approximately 87% of its original battery capacity, and its Snapdragon 888 chip continues to handle most apps and games without lag. The combination of display quality, performance, and fast charging ensures it remains a viable choice for students, content creators, and budget-conscious buyers.
Refurbished units under 25,000 rupees offer exceptional value, outperforming many new phones in the same price range, especially for gaming and multitasking.
Final Verdict
The iQOO 9 SE 5G is a smart option for anyone seeking flagship-level performance at a mid-range price. With a smooth Super AMOLED screen, long-lasting battery, powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset, and gaming-focused features, it still competes strongly in 2026. Students, casual gamers, and budget-conscious buyers will find it a reliable, high-performance device.
Final Thoughts
The iQOO 9 SE 5G proves that a well-built phone from 2022 can still deliver excellent performance in 2026. Refurbished models offer value for money without sacrificing speed, display quality, or gaming capabilities, making it an ideal choice for users seeking performance on a budget.
