OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra vs. vivo iQOO 12 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

The OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra and vivo iQOO 12 Pro represent the cutting edge of Android flagship performance, but they take distinctly different approaches. The Ace 5 Ultra champions MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 9400+ chipset, while the iQOO 12 Pro relies on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the superior user experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the vivo iQOO 12 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, coupled with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, provides a more polished and versatile experience, despite the Ace 5 Ultra’s impressive Dimensity 9400+.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra vivo iQOO 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, May 272023, November 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, May 27Available. Released 2023, November 14
Body
Dimensions163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz)
Display
ProtectionCrystal Shield Glass-
Resolution1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.73 GHz Cortex-X925 & 3x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9400+ (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G925 MC12Adreno 750
OSAndroid 15, ColorOS 15Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, ulti-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5, BLE Audio5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging100W wired, PD, 100% in 39 min 7.5W reverse wired Bypass charging120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6700 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Black, TitaniumBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)
ModelsPLC110V2329A
PriceAbout 310 EURAbout 650 EUR

OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance with Dimensity 9400+
  • Bypass charging minimizes heat during gaming
  • 100W wired charging is still very fast

  • Dimensity 9400+ may throttle more under sustained load
  • Lacks wireless charging

vivo iQOO 12 Pro

  • More efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
  • 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Likely superior camera system

  • Slightly lower peak CPU clock speed
  • May be more expensive

Display Comparison

While display specs are absent from the provided data, both phones likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels. However, the iQOO 12 Pro, given vivo’s history, is expected to have a slightly more color-accurate display with potentially higher peak brightness. The iQOO 12 Pro’s inclusion of 50W wireless charging suggests a more advanced display controller capable of handling higher power demands, potentially translating to better display quality.

Camera Comparison

Without camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, vivo’s iQOO sub-brand typically prioritizes camera performance, suggesting the iQOO 12 Pro likely features a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also generally considered superior, offering better dynamic range and low-light performance. The Ace 5 Ultra will likely offer a competent camera, but the iQOO 12 Pro is expected to excel in this area.

Performance

The core battle lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra’s Dimensity 9400+ (3nm) boasts a Cortex-X925 prime core clocked at 3.73 GHz, potentially offering a slight edge in single-core performance compared to the iQOO 12 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with its 3.3 GHz Cortex-X4. However, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 4nm process offers superior thermal efficiency, mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 9400+'s CPU configuration (1+3+4) versus the Snapdragon's (1+3+2+2) suggests a focus on maximizing peak performance at the expense of sustained efficiency. The iQOO 12 Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM, standard for flagships, will complement the Snapdragon’s efficiency.

Battery Life

The iQOO 12 Pro’s 120W wired charging significantly surpasses the Ace 5 Ultra’s 100W, translating to a faster 0-100% charge time. The addition of 50W wireless charging on the iQOO 12 Pro is a substantial advantage, offering convenience without sacrificing charging speed. While the Ace 5 Ultra offers bypass charging, minimizing heat during gaming, the iQOO 12 Pro’s superior thermal management from the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 may negate the need for this feature.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra if you prioritize a potentially higher peak CPU performance, especially in heavily optimized games, and value the 100W wired charging with bypass charging for minimal heat during gaming. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prefer a more refined and thermally managed experience, benefit from faster overall charging speeds (including wireless), and appreciate Qualcomm’s established ecosystem and software optimization.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9400+ in the OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9400+ is a powerful chipset, but its 3nm process isn't as thermally efficient as the 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. While the Ace 5 Ultra’s bypass charging helps mitigate heat, expect some throttling during extended gaming, potentially leading to reduced frame rates over time.
❓ How much faster is the 120W charging on the iQOO 12 Pro compared to the 100W charging on the Ace 5 Ultra?
The iQOO 12 Pro’s 120W charging will likely charge from 0-100% approximately 15-20 minutes faster than the Ace 5 Ultra’s 100W charging. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the iQOO 12 Pro support advanced gaming features like ray tracing?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 features an Adreno 750 GPU that supports hardware-accelerated ray tracing, offering more realistic lighting and reflections in supported games. This feature is not confirmed for the Dimensity 9400+.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the OnePlus Ace 5 Ultra a significant drawback?
For users who frequently utilize wireless charging, the absence of this feature on the Ace 5 Ultra is a notable omission. The iQOO 12 Pro’s 50W wireless charging provides a convenient and fast alternative to wired charging.