iQOO Z11i teased in China: rebranded vivo Y60 with 6,500mAh battery

Key Takeaways

• iQOO Z11i appears in official teasers with three colorways: Green Peak, Desert Gold, and Ink Shadow
• Leaks claim the phone is a rebranded vivo Y60 with Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 and a 6,500mAh battery
• The rumored 15W charging speed would take over 4 hours to fill that massive battery

iQOO has started teasing its next budget phone, the Z11i, through official images in China. The device joins an already crowded Z11 lineup that includes the Z11x, Z11 5G, and Z11 Turbo. Three colorways are confirmed: Green Peak, Desert Gold, and Ink Shadow.

The company hasn't shared specs, but a Weibo tipster claims the Z11i is simply a rebranded vivo Y60, which launched in April. If accurate, that would make this a curious strategic choice: iQOO built its reputation on performance-focused devices, yet it would be selling a phone with specs that barely qualify as entry-level in 2025.

What are the rumored iQOO Z11i specs?

Based on the vivo Y60 rebrand theory, the Z11i would ship with a 6.74-inch LCD at 720x1600 resolution. That's a 720p panel stretched across a large display, yielding around 260 pixels per inch. Not great for text clarity or media consumption. The 120Hz refresh rate and 1,200-nit peak brightness partially compensate, making scrolling smooth and outdoor visibility decent.

Under the hood sits the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, Qualcomm's budget chip built on a 4nm process. It offers roughly 15% faster CPU performance than its predecessor, handles casual gaming adequately, and keeps power draw reasonable. RAM options reportedly include 6GB and 8GB configurations, with storage at 128GB or 256GB.

The camera setup is minimal: a 13MP rear shooter and a 5MP front camera. Neither spec suggests iQOO is targeting photography enthusiasts.

The battery problem: 6,500mAh meets 15W charging

Here's where the spec sheet gets awkward. The Z11i reportedly packs a 6,500mAh battery, one of the largest in any smartphone currently available. That should translate to exceptional endurance, easily two days of moderate use.

But iQOO pairs it with 15W wired charging. Do the math: filling that battery from empty takes over four hours. In 2025, when competitors offer 67W or even 120W charging in the budget segment, this feels like a deliberate cost-cutting measure that undermines the phone's biggest selling point.

Why is iQOO selling rebranded vivo phones?

iQOO launched as vivo's gaming and performance sub-brand, similar to how Redmi operates under Xiaomi. The original pitch: aggressive specs at aggressive prices for users who care about frame rates and responsiveness. The Z11i, if the leaks hold, contradicts that identity.

Rebranding between parent and sub-brand is common in Chinese smartphone manufacturing. It maximizes R&D investment by targeting different demographics with cosmetic changes and marketing repositioning. Xiaomi does it. Realme does it. But most brands at least maintain some differentiation in their sub-brand's core promise.

A 720p display and 15W charging aren't performance-oriented choices. They're cost-minimization choices. This suggests vivo may be using iQOO's Z-series simply as another distribution channel for budget devices, rather than maintaining any meaningful brand distinction.

When will the iQOO Z11i launch?

The teaser campaign just started, which typically means a formal announcement within two weeks. iQOO often launches in China first before bringing devices to India, its second-largest market. Pricing remains unknown, but the vivo Y60's positioning suggests the Z11i will target the sub-$150 segment.

Official specs should arrive soon. Until then, treat the vivo Y60 connection as informed speculation, not confirmed fact.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the iQOO Z11i just a rebranded vivo Y60?

A Weibo tipster claims it is. The specs reportedly match the vivo Y60 exactly, including the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, 720p display, and 6,500mAh battery. iQOO hasn't confirmed this.

What colors does the iQOO Z11i come in?

Three colorways are confirmed: Green Peak, Desert Gold, and Ink Shadow. These were revealed in official teaser images from iQOO China.

How long does the iQOO Z11i take to charge?

With the rumored 15W charging speed and 6,500mAh battery, expect over four hours for a full charge from empty.

Will the iQOO Z11i launch in India?

Likely yes. iQOO regularly brings its Z-series devices to India after initial China launches. No India launch date has been announced.

Is the iQOO Z11i good for gaming?

The Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 handles casual games fine, but the 720p display and budget SoC make it poorly suited for demanding titles despite iQOO's gaming brand positioning.

Source: GSMArena.com / Vlad