iQOO Z9vsSamsung Galaxy F16 5G
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
iQOO Z9 wins
Verdict
iQOO Z9 wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
iQOO Z9 is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — display is its standout. It costs USD 299 — USD 156 more than the Samsung Galaxy F16 5G. Pay the premium if display is your priority.
- iQOO Z9 takes Performance — led by performance score (700,000 pts).
- iQOO Z9 takes Display — led by refresh rate (120 Hz).
- iQOO Z9 takes Camera — led by camera score (92 pts).
- iQOO Z9 takes Battery — led by charging speed (44 W).
- Samsung Galaxy F16 5G takes Price — led by price (143 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose iQOO Z9 if you want…
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 700,000 pts vs 460,000 pts.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a sharper screen — 395 ppi vs 262 ppi.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want smoother scrolling — 120 Hz vs 90 Hz.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 1,800 nits vs 450 nits.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want sharper selfies — 16 MP vs 13 MP.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want better video quality — 62 pts vs 45 pts.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a better camera — 92 pts vs 76 pts.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want faster charging — 44 W vs 25 W.
Choose Samsung Galaxy F16 5G if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy F16 5G if you want a bigger screen — 6.7 in vs 6.67 in.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy F16 5G if you want a lower price — 143 USD vs 299 USD.
At a glance
- iQOO Z9
- Samsung Galaxy F16 5G
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
iQOO Z9
Choose iQOO Z9 if display matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 299.
Samsung Galaxy F16 5G
Choose Samsung Galaxy F16 5G if price matters most. It costs USD 143, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
iQOO Z9
- 120 Hz AMOLED
- Strong chip for the price
- 44 W charging
- No telephoto
- Plastic frame
- Average low-light camera
Samsung Galaxy F16 5G
- 5G at a low price
- 5,000 mAh battery
- 90 Hz display
- HD+ resolution
- Single main camera
- Plastic build