The Realme 9 5G (India) and vivo iQOO 9 SE represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Realme focuses on providing accessible 5G connectivity, while the iQOO 9 SE aims for near-flagship performance at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the vivo iQOO 9 SE is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 888 chipset offers a substantial leap over the Realme 9 5G’s Dimensity 810. However, if budget is the primary concern and 5G access is sufficient, the Realme 9 5G remains a viable option.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2022, February 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 14 | Available. Released 2022, March 02 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 74.8 x 8.5 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Splash and dust resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Panda Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 66W wired, 50% in 14 min, 100% in 39 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Stargaze White, Meteor Black | Space Fusion, Sunset Sierra |
| Models | RMX3388 | - |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.74 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 87h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 727771 (v8), 846231 (v9)
GeekBench: 3442 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme 9 5G (India)
- More affordable price point
- Accessible 5G connectivity
- Decent battery endurance
- Significantly weaker performance compared to iQOO 9 SE
- Slow 18W charging
- Limited display brightness information
vivo iQOO 9 SE
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 888 performance
- Ultra-fast 66W charging
- Bright and vibrant display (863 nits)
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more heat generation under sustained load
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The iQOO 9 SE boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 863 nits, compared to the Realme 9 5G’s unspecified brightness. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the price points), the iQOO 9 SE’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The iQOO 9 SE’s infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard IPS contrast, while the Realme 9 5G’s display characteristics remain largely unknown. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within their respective price brackets.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. The iQOO 9 SE likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 888, offering improved image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the iQOO 9 SE’s higher processing power allows for more sophisticated computational photography techniques. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall image quality.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The iQOO 9 SE’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G (5nm) is a flagship-level chipset, featuring a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, alongside three Cortex-A78 performance cores and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. This contrasts sharply with the Realme 9 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 810 (6nm), which utilizes two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0 GHz. The 5nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 888 offers superior power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 6nm Dimensity 810, resulting in sustained performance during intensive tasks. The iQOO 9 SE will handle graphically demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the Realme 9 5G will likely exhibit more throttling under prolonged load.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 87 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing charging capabilities. However, the iQOO 9 SE’s 66W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving 50% charge in just 14 minutes and a full charge in 39 minutes. The Realme 9 5G’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly longer to reach full capacity. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 9 5G (India) if you need a reliable and affordable 5G smartphone for everyday tasks and light gaming, and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the vivo iQOO 9 SE if you prioritize demanding gaming, faster app loading times, and significantly quicker charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for the enhanced performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the iQOO 9 SE tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. However, the iQOO 9 SE likely incorporates thermal management solutions (heat pipes, graphite sheets) to mitigate throttling. While some heat is expected, it shouldn't significantly impact performance for typical gaming durations.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Realme 9 5G slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than the 66W charging on the iQOO 9 SE. Expect to spend several hours to fully charge the Realme 9 5G, making it less convenient for users who need quick top-ups.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the Realme 9 5G with the Dimensity 810?
The Dimensity 810 is capable of handling most popular mobile games at medium settings. However, demanding titles may require lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some frame drops during intense gaming sessions.
❓ Does the iQOO 9 SE support high refresh rate displays for smoother gaming?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, iQOO phones often include high refresh rate displays. Further research is needed to confirm if the iQOO 9 SE supports a 90Hz or 120Hz panel, which would enhance the gaming experience.
