Oppo K9s vs vivo S10e: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance and Value

The Oppo K9s and vivo S10e represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices aim to deliver a balanced experience, but they diverge in their core components – specifically, their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Oppo K9s emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 778G offers a more consistently powerful and efficient experience, particularly in gaming, while the 30W charging is adequate. The vivo S10e’s 44W charging is a plus, but the Dimensity 900 doesn’t quite match the Snapdragon’s overall performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo K9s vivo S10e
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, October 202021, October 18
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 01Available. Released 2021, October 20
Body
Dimensions164.4 x 75.9 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)160.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)175 g (6.17 oz)
Display
ProtectionPanda Glass-
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)AMOLED, HDR
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LMali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 11.2Android 11, OriginOS 1.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoNo
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired 5W reverse wired44W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAh4000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Silver, AuroraBlack, White, Aurora
ModelsPERM10V2130A
Price-About 320 EUR

Oppo K9s

  • More powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset
  • Superior GPU performance for gaming
  • Potentially better software optimization

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Display specs unknown

vivo S10e

  • Faster 44W wired charging
  • Potentially more natural image processing
  • Competitive price point

  • Dimensity 900 chipset lags behind Snapdragon 778G
  • GPU performance is weaker

Display Comparison

Neither Oppo nor vivo provide display specs in the provided data. However, given the market segment, both likely feature 6.5-6.6 inch LCD panels with 60-120Hz refresh rates. The absence of LTPO technology suggests neither will offer adaptive refresh rates for optimal battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, and color accuracy will depend on software calibration, a factor not specified here.

Camera Comparison

Without sensor details, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests both phones will feature a primary camera around the 64MP mark, paired with ultrawide and macro lenses. The absence of OIS information suggests neither phone will have optical image stabilization. Image processing will be a key differentiator; Oppo typically leans towards vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. The usefulness of the macro lens on both devices is questionable, as 2MP sensors generally lack detail.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo K9s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G (6nm), featuring a 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core, 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The vivo S10e employs the MediaTek Dimensity 900 (6nm) with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While both are 6nm chips, the Snapdragon 778G’s Adreno 642L GPU generally outperforms the Dimensity 900’s Mali-G68 MC4, translating to smoother gaming experiences. The K9s’ CPU configuration, with more performance cores at higher clocks, also provides an edge in multi-threaded tasks. The K9s likely benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and driver support.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both likely house around 4500-5000mAh cells. The vivo S10e’s 44W wired charging is significantly faster than the Oppo K9s’ 30W charging. This means the S10e can replenish its battery from 0-100% in approximately 50-60 minutes, while the K9s will take closer to 70-80 minutes. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s superior efficiency may offset some of this charging advantage, resulting in comparable real-world battery life despite the slower charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo K9s if you prioritize sustained performance for gaming and demanding applications, and value a proven chipset architecture. Buy the vivo S10e if rapid charging is your absolute top priority, and you primarily engage in lighter tasks like social media and streaming, where the chipset differences are less noticeable.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 900 in the vivo S10e struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 900 can run Genshin Impact, but you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. The Snapdragon 778G in the Oppo K9s offers a smoother experience at higher settings, thanks to its more powerful Adreno 642L GPU.
❓ How much faster is the 44W charging on the vivo S10e compared to the 30W charging on the Oppo K9s in real-world use?
Expect the vivo S10e to charge from 0-100% in roughly 50-60 minutes, while the Oppo K9s will take around 70-80 minutes. This translates to about 20-30 minutes saved with the vivo S10e, which is significant if you frequently need to top up your battery quickly.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Snapdragon 778G and Dimensity 900 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
For basic tasks, the difference is minimal. Both chipsets are capable of handling everyday usage smoothly. However, the Snapdragon 778G will exhibit faster app loading times and smoother multitasking when running multiple applications simultaneously.