vivo iQOO 8 Pro vs iQOO 9 Pro: A Detailed Showdown

The vivo iQOO series consistently delivers high-performance smartphones geared towards gamers and power users. The iQOO 8 Pro and iQOO 9 Pro are two standout contenders, each boasting impressive specs. But which one offers the better overall experience?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO 9 Pro edges out the 8 Pro thanks to its newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, brighter display, and slightly faster charging. While the 8 Pro remains a strong performer, the 9 Pro’s advancements make it the superior choice for most users seeking top-tier performance.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 8 Pro vivo iQOO 9 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 -CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, August 172022, January 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 26Available. Released 2022, January 12
Body
Build-Glass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back or aramid fiber back
Dimensions165 x 75.2 x 9.2 mm (6.50 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)164.8 x 75.2 x 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)204 g or 210 g (7.20 oz)
 -Splash and dust resistant
Display
Protection-Panda Glass
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1500 nits (peak)LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 12, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS Ocean (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1 (V6)
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED lash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 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, AF50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 60mm (telephoto), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.3, 15mm, 150˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video8K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioYesNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, 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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 18 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless120W wired, 50% in 8 min, 100% in 20 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
Type4500 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite (BMW M branding), Black, Pilot EditionLegend (White w/ BMW M branding), Dark Cruise, Orange
ModelsV2141A, I2017V2172A, I2022
PriceAbout 660 EURAbout 630 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 97h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 862324 (v8), 997948 (v9) GeekBench: 3708 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 8 Pro

  • Incredibly fast 120W wired charging
  • Excellent performance for the price
  • Smooth display with high refresh rate
  • Good battery life

  • Older chipset compared to the iQOO 9 Pro
  • Display brightness not as high as the iQOO 9 Pro
  • Camera details are limited

vivo iQOO 9 Pro

  • Newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Slightly faster charging
  • Excellent performance for gaming

  • Potentially higher price
  • Camera details are limited
  • May experience some thermal throttling under sustained load

Display Comparison

The iQOO 9 Pro boasts a significant advantage with its measured 1000 nits peak brightness, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. While the iQOO 8 Pro's display is still excellent, the 9 Pro's contrast ratio (nominally infinite) and higher brightness provide a more immersive and vibrant viewing experience. Both feature high refresh rates for smooth scrolling and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera specifications are missing. Generally, the iQOO 9 Pro is expected to have improvements in image processing and low-light performance due to the newer chipset and potentially updated sensors. Both likely offer excellent video recording capabilities.

Performance

The iQOO 9 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm) is a generational leap over the iQOO 8 Pro’s Snapdragon 888+ (5nm). The 8 Gen 1 offers improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and enhanced gaming performance. Both phones handle demanding games well, but the 9 Pro has more headroom for future titles.

Battery Life

Both devices offer impressive battery life, with an endurance rating of 97 hours. The iQOO 9 Pro demonstrates slightly faster wired charging (50% in 8 min vs 18 min for the 8 Pro), although both support 120W wired charging and 50W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the vivo iQOO 8 Pro? Those looking for a slightly more budget-friendly option with excellent performance and incredibly fast charging. Who should buy the vivo iQOO 9 Pro? Gamers and power users who demand the absolute latest technology, a brighter display, and the fastest possible processing speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iQOO 9 Pro worth the upgrade from the iQOO 8 Pro?
If you prioritize the latest technology, a brighter display, and the best possible performance, then yes. However, the iQOO 8 Pro remains a capable device and offers excellent value.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The iQOO 9 Pro, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, offers superior gaming performance and better future-proofing.