iQOO Z3 5G in 2026: Still a Viable Daily Driver?

Is it possible to use the iQOO Z3 5G in 2026?

Absolutely! It is still more than satisfactory for the typical Indian budget range (₹10k-₹20k). I bought the Z3 for ₹16k. Today, that same budget gets you phones with updated features like AMOLED displays, in-display fingerprint sensors, and higher benchmark scores. Can the Z3 still compete with these newer mobiles? It is possible. Let's discuss how.

My Purchase History

I bought this iQOO Z3 5G (6GB/128GB) on Amazon in January 2022 for ₹16k (including a coupon discount). At that time, AMOLED panels were available in this price range, but I chose the Z3 because I prioritized performance, camera, and battery. It was the best option for me at that price point. After four years of hard usage, it is still great. I can confirm it still offers a one-day battery backup for my usage.

Performance (Snapdragon 768G)

Nowadays, "performance" usually means gaming, as we often play games more than we use productivity apps (like video editing or rendering). So, let's compare the gaming competition between this segment's current mobiles and the iQOO Z3 5G.

In my experience, the gaming performance is equal to newer phones in titles like Free Fire and Shadow Fight 3. I see no compromise in gaming performance compared to other mobiles. There is some battery drop during gaming sessions due to the battery's age, but that is expected for a 2022 mobile used in 2026.

Benchmarks are just numbers; in real-world use, there is no major difference between a 2022 mobile and 2026 mid-range mobiles. The iQOO Z3 5G with the Snapdragon 768G is still competitive against current chips in this segment, such as the 7 Gen 3, 6 Gen 2, and 7s Gen 3. Video playback and 4K recording remain stable with no lag.

Camera

I use the main camera the most. The 64MP sensor captures good pictures without compromise. While there might be minor stability issues in very new games, the camera output remains stable and can even beat newer phones in some scenarios. 4K video recording is also still good for this segment today.

The front 16MP camera takes stable pictures with real color reflection. The 1080p video quality is also decent.

Battery (4400mAh)

Regarding battery performance, it still lasts one day for casual use. For heavy gaming, I have to charge it twice a day due to natural battery degradation over the years.

Software - Android 13(Final update)

Regarding software, updates aren't a big deal to me because they often introduce bugs. Even if a later update fixes them, new bugs usually appear, so I’m not interested in updating. I am currently using my phone without any issues. To me, Android is just a tool, so I prefer having a stable device over the latest updates

Design & Connectivity

The hands-on feel of the mobile is good; it is easy to lift and supports one-handed usage. The design is nice, and without a back case, it feels handy and slim. 5G usage is still good; although only two bands are available, it works fine on standard 5G (though not 5G+ or 5G++).

Thankyou

With Love 

@RajaKannan