Tecno Phantom X2 vs vivo X90 Pro+: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The Tecno Phantom X2 and vivo X90 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive flagship smartphone market. The Phantom X2 aims to deliver premium features at a more accessible price point, leveraging the Mediatek Dimensity 9000. Conversely, the X90 Pro+ throws down the gauntlet with Qualcomm’s top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, promising uncompromising performance and a refined camera experience. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo X90 Pro+ emerges as the superior choice. While the Tecno Phantom X2 offers excellent value, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s superior processing power, coupled with its faster 80W charging and potential for more efficient thermal management, justifies the price premium. However, the Phantom X2 remains a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Tecno Phantom X2 vivo X90 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 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, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, December 072022, November 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 09Available. Released 2022, December 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame, plastic backGlass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back
Dimensions164.6 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 2.86 x 0.35 in)164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight203 g (7.16 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~387 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~93.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120HzLTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.05 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G710 MC10Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, HIOS 12Android 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, (wide), PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/1.3", 1.12µm, AF 2 MP-
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flashHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Battery
Charging45W wired, 54% in 20 min, 100% in 60 min80W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired
Type5160 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsStardust Gray, Moonlight SilverBlack, Red
ModelsAD8V2227A
PriceAbout 460 EURAbout 1030 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 110h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -26.8 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 973623 (v9) GeekBench: 4027 (v5.1) GFXBench: 71fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Tecno Phantom X2

  • Excellent battery endurance (110h rating)
  • More affordable price point
  • Capable Dimensity 9000 chipset

  • Slower charging speeds (45W)
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Limited camera details

vivo X90 Pro+

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Ultra-fast 80W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Potentially exceptional camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially lower battery endurance compared to Tecno
  • May run warmer under sustained load

Display Comparison

The Tecno Phantom X2 boasts a display capable of reaching 710 nits of peak brightness, which is respectable but falls short of the expected levels for a flagship in well-lit environments. While the 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, it suggests a good OLED panel. The vivo X90 Pro+, while lacking specific brightness data, is expected to exceed this figure given its positioning and the typical performance of flagship vivo displays. Both likely utilize AMOLED technology, but the X90 Pro+ may benefit from LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, potentially improving power efficiency. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for both, but the X90 Pro+ is likely to have a slight edge in overall display quality due to its higher-end components.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are limited for the Tecno Phantom X2, but it's described as having both photo and video capabilities. The vivo X90 Pro+ is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a large 1-inch sensor (based on previous vivo Pro+ models). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more advanced, enabling superior image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. While the Phantom X2 may offer acceptable image quality, the X90 Pro+ is likely to excel in low-light photography and video recording, offering greater detail and clarity. The absence of specific sensor details for the Phantom X2 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the X90 Pro+ is positioned as a camera-centric flagship.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo X90 Pro+’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes a more advanced architecture – specifically the Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz – compared to the Tecno Phantom X2’s Dimensity 9000 (4nm) and its Cortex-X2 core at 3.05 GHz. This translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Snapdragon in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 also benefits from architectural improvements in the Cortex-A715 and A710 cores, offering better efficiency. While both phones utilize 4nm fabrication, the Snapdragon’s design is optimized for sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling. The X90 Pro+’s LPDDR5x RAM further enhances memory bandwidth, contributing to a smoother overall experience.

Battery Life

The Tecno Phantom X2 boasts an endurance rating of 110 hours, suggesting excellent battery life. However, this is a lab-based metric and real-world usage will vary. It supports 45W wired charging, reaching 54% in 20 minutes and 100% in 60 minutes. The vivo X90 Pro+ significantly ups the ante with 80W wired charging, advertised to reach 100% in just 33 minutes. Furthermore, it adds 50W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, offering greater versatility. While the Phantom X2’s battery life is commendable, the X90 Pro+’s faster charging speeds and wireless capabilities provide a more convenient and efficient charging experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Tecno Phantom X2 if you prioritize long battery life and a more affordable entry point into the flagship space. It’s ideal for users who consume a lot of media and don’t necessarily need the absolute fastest performance. Buy the vivo X90 Pro+ if you demand the best possible performance for gaming and demanding applications, value significantly faster charging speeds (including wireless), and are willing to invest in a more premium camera system.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9000 in the Tecno Phantom X2 struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 9000 is a capable chipset, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the vivo X90 Pro+ offers a noticeable performance advantage in demanding games. The Phantom X2 can run Genshin Impact, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The X90 Pro+ will likely deliver a smoother, more consistent experience at higher settings.
❓ How significant is the charging speed difference between 45W and 80W in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Tecno Phantom X2 takes a full hour to charge, while the vivo X90 Pro+ is advertised to reach 100% in just 33 minutes. This means you can quickly top up the X90 Pro+ during short breaks, making it ideal for users who are always on the go. The convenience of faster charging is a significant benefit.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the Tecno Phantom X2 a cause for concern?
Yes, it is. The camera is a key selling point for flagship phones, and the limited information available for the Phantom X2 suggests it may not compete with the X90 Pro+'s expected high-end camera system. Without knowing sensor sizes, aperture values, and OIS capabilities, it's difficult to assess its true potential.