iQOO could soon be expanding its affordable Z-series portfolio with a new smartphone. As per a new leak, iQOO could be preparing a budget-focused offering that will sit below the recently launched iQOO Z11x. It’s being called the iQOO Z11 Lite and could potentially help the brand re-enter a price segment that has become underserved in recent months, thanks to price hikes.
The phone has earlier made an appearance on the Google Play Console with the same chipset and a render, indicating an impending launch.
iQOO Z11 Lite expected specifications
According to tipster Sanju Choudhary, the iQOO Z11 Lite is set to launch in mid-July 2026 and will feature the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, a 6,500mAh battery, 44W fast charging, and OriginOS 6 out of the box. Interestingly, this is the same chipset that powered the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G, which launched in India in 2025 starting at Rs 9,999.
Further, the iQOO Z11 Lite is tipped to pack a larger 6,500mAh battery, a notable upgrade over the 6,000mAh cell found on the Z10 Lite. Support for 44W charging would also be a significant improvement over the previous model’s 15W charging speeds. The device is expected to run OriginOS 6 out of the box and include AI-powered creation and captioning features, reflecting the industry’s growing focus on artificial intelligence even in affordable smartphones.
India availability and pricing
The tipster hasn’t specifically mentioned whether the launch information pertains to India or not but has sought price guesses. Even though the iQOO Z11 Lite is expected to pack the same chipset as its predecessor, the same sub-Rs 10,000 price tag shouldn’t be expected. Instead, the iQOO Z11 Lite, if it launches in India, is expected to be positioned below the iQOO Z11x, which currently starts at Rs 22,999 and goes up to Rs 26,999. That makes a sub-Rs 20,000 price tag a realistic possibility, though the final pricing will depend on memory configurations and launch offers.
The sub-Rs 20,000 segment has become increasingly thin as brands have pushed prices upward across their portfolios. Currently, iQOO, Vivo, and OPPO have limited options in this category compared to a few years ago, leaving room for a well-specced device to attract value-conscious buyers.
Competition is likely to come from phones from Lava, POCO and itel. A combination of a large battery, faster charging, AI features, and a relatively clean software experience could help the Z11 Lite stand out if priced aggressively. Buyers who prioritise battery life and everyday reliability over gaming-focused performance should wait for the iQOO Z11 Lite announcement.
