Tag: Bmw edition

  • iQOO 12

    iQOO launched the iQOO 12 in India in December 2023, again beating rivals to the newest Qualcomm flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It continued the brand's formula of high performance at a lower price, competing directly with the OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24. The Legend edition's BMW M Motorsport stripes returned.

    The 6.78-inch AMOLED display runs at up to 144Hz with a 1260 x 2800 resolution, slightly lower than the iQOO 11's 2K panel but brighter. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance was excellent, and iQOO's Q1 supercomputing chip helped with gaming frame rates and resolution upscaling. Thermals held up well in long gaming sessions. Funtouch OS 14 included a dedicated game mode and performance controls.

    The camera setup was a big upgrade: a 50 MP main with OIS, a 50 MP ultrawide and a 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto. Zoom photos were impressive for the price. The 5,000 mAh battery with 120W charging refills very quickly, though wireless charging is absent. Against the OnePlus 12, it was cheaper and faster to charge, while OnePlus offered wireless charging and a sharper display.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 52,999 (base variant)
    India launchDecember 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, AMOLED, 144Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
    RAM12 GB / 16 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main with OIS + 50 MP ultrawide + 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging120W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursLegend, Alpha

    What we like

    • First Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone in India
    • 64 MP periscope telephoto
    • 144Hz bright AMOLED display
    • 120W fast charging

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • Lower resolution than the iQOO 11
    • Funtouch OS bloatware

    Who should buy it

    Gamers and enthusiasts who want the latest flagship chip and a zoom camera without overspending.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (December 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • iQOO 11

    The iQOO 11 launched in India in January 2023 and was the first phone in the country to ship with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. iQOO positioned it as a performance flagship at a lower price than Samsung or Apple, taking on the OnePlus 11 and Xiaomi 12 Pro. The BMW M Motorsport-inspired Legend edition with its striped design was especially popular.

    The 6.78-inch E6 AMOLED display has a 1440 x 3200 resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, making it one of the sharpest and smoothest screens of its time. Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance was excellent, with strong efficiency and sustained gaming. iQOO also included its own V2 chip for frame interpolation in games. Funtouch OS 13 offered gaming-focused features but included some preinstalled apps.

    The camera setup includes a 50 MP Samsung GN5 main sensor with OIS, an 8 MP ultrawide and a 13 MP 2x portrait telephoto. Photos were solid, though not class-leading compared with the Pixel 7 Pro. The 5,000 mAh battery with 120W charging can refill in under half an hour. Against the OnePlus 11, it offered a sharper, faster display and quicker charging at a similar price.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 59,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, E6 AMOLED, 144Hz, 1440 x 3200
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
    RAM8 GB / 16 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Samsung GN5 main with OIS + 8 MP ultrawide + 13 MP 2x portrait telephoto
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging120W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Funtouch OS 13
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursLegend, Alpha

    What we like

    • First Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 phone in India
    • Sharp 2K 144Hz display
    • 120W fast charging
    • BMW M Motorsport Legend design

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • Camera is good but not class-leading
    • Lacks an official high IP rating

    Who should buy it

    Gamers and power users who want flagship performance and a top display at a lower price.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.