iQOO 8 Pro vs OnePlus 9 Pro: A Deep Dive into Flagship Performance

Both the vivo iQOO 8 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro represent the pinnacle of Android flagship design from 2021, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 series. However, the iQOO 8 Pro boasts the enhanced Snapdragon 888+, alongside significantly faster charging, while the OnePlus 9 Pro counters with a refined software experience and a well-regarded camera system. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw speed and charging convenience, the iQOO 8 Pro emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 888+ and 120W charging drastically outperform the OnePlus 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 and 65W charging. However, the OnePlus 9 Pro remains a strong contender for those valuing a more polished software experience and established brand reputation.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 8 Pro OnePlus 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - CN
Launch
Announced2021, August 172021, March 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 26Available. Released 2021, March 30
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions165 x 75.2 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)163.2 x 73.6 x 8.7 mm (6.43 x 2.90 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)197 g (6.95 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1500 nits (peak)LTPO Fluid2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Hasselblad Color Calibration, dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-48 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 77mm (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.2, 14mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, AF 2 MP, f/2.4, (monochrome)
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 60mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 0.8µm, AF-
Video8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioYesNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless65W wired, PD, 100% in 29 min 50W wireless, 100% in 43 min 5W reverse wireless
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite (BMW M branding), Black, Pilot EditionMorning Mist, Forest Green, Stellar Black
ModelsV2141A, I2017LE2121, LE2125, LE2123, LE2120, LE2127
PriceAbout 660 EUR€ 246.17 / $ 264.95 / £ 287.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 86h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- -24.1 LUFS (Very good)

vivo iQOO 8 Pro

  • Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
  • More powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Faster wireless charging (50W)

  • Funtouch OS may not appeal to all users
  • Limited camera information available

OnePlus 9 Pro

  • Refined OxygenOS software experience
  • Well-regarded Hasselblad-tuned camera
  • Strong brand reputation and support

  • Slower charging speeds (65W wired, 50W wireless)
  • Less powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 9 Pro features a display capable of reaching 859 nits of peak brightness, providing excellent visibility in direct sunlight. While the iQOO 8 Pro’s display specifications aren’t provided, both devices likely utilize LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, conserving battery life. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s display is known for its color accuracy, but without comparable data for the iQOO 8 Pro, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner in this category. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both devices, reflecting flagship design standards.

Camera Comparison

Both the iQOO 8 Pro and OnePlus 9 Pro are equipped with capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited for the iQOO 8 Pro. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera is known for its Hasselblad color calibration, aiming for natural and accurate image reproduction. Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but without specific details on sensor size, aperture, and OIS implementation on the iQOO 8 Pro, it’s difficult to assess its comparative image quality. The OnePlus 9 Pro’s camera system is generally considered more refined and consistently delivers high-quality results.

Performance

The iQOO 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, clocked at 2.99 GHz, offers a tangible performance advantage over the OnePlus 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (2.84 GHz). While both utilize the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55), the higher clock speed of the iQOO 8 Pro translates to faster processing in demanding tasks. Both devices utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the iQOO 8 Pro’s superior chipset is more likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods, potentially mitigating thermal throttling. The 5nm fabrication process is common to both, but the ‘+’ variant in the iQOO 8 Pro suggests minor optimizations.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 9 Pro boasts an endurance rating of 86 hours, indicating solid battery life. However, the iQOO 8 Pro’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 18 minutes. In contrast, the OnePlus 9 Pro takes 29 minutes to reach 100% with its 65W charging. The iQOO 8 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging (vs. 50W on the OnePlus 9 Pro) and 10W reverse wireless charging (vs. 5W on the OnePlus 9 Pro). While battery capacity isn’t specified for the iQOO 8 Pro, the significantly faster charging speeds effectively mitigate concerns about battery life, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 8 Pro if you demand the fastest possible charging speeds, prioritize peak performance for gaming, and are comfortable with vivo’s Funtouch OS. Buy the OnePlus 9 Pro if you prefer a cleaner, more streamlined software experience with OxygenOS, value a well-tuned camera system, and prioritize established brand support and a wider ecosystem of accessories.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888+ in the iQOO 8 Pro actually make a noticeable difference in gaming compared to the Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9 Pro?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888+ offers a modest but measurable performance increase, particularly in sustained gaming scenarios. The higher clock speed and minor architectural improvements allow the iQOO 8 Pro to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods before thermal throttling becomes a factor. While both phones can handle demanding games, the iQOO 8 Pro provides a smoother, more consistent experience.
❓ How much faster is the 120W charging on the iQOO 8 Pro in real-world use compared to the 65W charging on the OnePlus 9 Pro?
The 120W charging on the iQOO 8 Pro is significantly faster. It can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 18 minutes, while the OnePlus 9 Pro takes around 29 minutes. This means you can add a substantial amount of charge – enough for several hours of use – in just a few minutes with the iQOO 8 Pro, making it ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
❓ Is Funtouch OS on the iQOO 8 Pro significantly different from OxygenOS on the OnePlus 9 Pro, and is it customizable?
Funtouch OS is noticeably different from OxygenOS. OxygenOS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience, while Funtouch OS features a more customized interface with unique design elements. However, Funtouch OS has improved significantly in recent years and offers a considerable degree of customization, allowing users to tailor the interface to their preferences. It's worth exploring demos to see which UI you prefer.