vivo iQOO 9 vs Huawei Mate 50 Pro: A Clash of Titans

The vivo iQOO 9 and Huawei Mate 50 Pro represent the pinnacle of mobile technology, each boasting impressive features and performance. But which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their specs, capabilities, and overall value to help you make an informed decision.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Mate 50 Pro edges out the iQOO 9 thanks to its superior camera system, longer battery life, and brighter display. While the iQOO 9 offers blazing-fast charging, the Mate 50 Pro's overall package provides a more refined and feature-rich experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 9 (China) Huawei Mate 50 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China
Launch
Announced2022, January 052022, September 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 12Available. Released 2022, September 28
Body
Dimensions164.5 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)162.1 x 75.5 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)205 g / 209 g (7.23 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Huawei Kunlun Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1212 x 2616 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.74 inches, 111.8 cm2 (~91.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanEMUI 13 (International), HarmonyOS 3.0 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNano Memory (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)50 MP, f/1.4-f/4.0, 24mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), PDAF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/480fps, 720p@960fps, 720p@3840fps, HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)13 MP, f/2.4, 18mm (ultrawide) TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, Display Port 1.2
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer, compass
 -BDS Satellite Message (sending only)
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 19 min 10W reverse wireless66W wired 50W wireless 5W reverse wireless
Type4700 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite (BMW M branding), Orange, BlackBlack, Silver, Purple, Orange
ModelsV2171ADCO-AL00, DCO-LX9
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 900 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 104h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 979921 (v9) GeekBench: 3839 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 9 (China)

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset
  • Excellent gaming performance
  • Competitive price

  • Camera not as impressive as Mate 50 Pro
  • Battery life could be better
  • Potential for thermal throttling

Huawei Mate 50 Pro

  • Exceptional camera system (XMAGE)
  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Premium design and build quality

  • Slower charging speeds (66W wired)
  • 4G connectivity only
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent displays, but the Mate 50 Pro takes the lead. Its 946 nits max brightness significantly outshines the iQOO 9, offering better visibility in direct sunlight. The Mate 50 Pro's infinite contrast ratio (nominal) suggests exceptional image quality, while the iQOO 9's display is still vibrant and sharp.

Camera Comparison

The Huawei Mate 50 Pro's camera system is a standout feature. It's renowned for its exceptional image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While the iQOO 9's camera is capable, it doesn't match the Mate 50 Pro's overall photographic prowess. The Mate 50 Pro's XMAGE imaging technology is a significant differentiator.

Performance

The iQOO 9 initially holds an advantage with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, known for its raw power. However, the Mate 50 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 4G offers improved efficiency and sustained performance, mitigating the thermal throttling issues sometimes seen in the 8 Gen 1. Both phones handle demanding tasks and games with ease.

Battery Life

The Mate 50 Pro demonstrates superior battery endurance, boasting an active use score of 10:36h and an impressive endurance rating of 104h. The iQOO 9, while offering incredibly fast 120W wired charging, doesn't match the Mate 50 Pro's longevity.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO 9 is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize raw performance and incredibly fast charging. The Huawei Mate 50 Pro is perfect for photography enthusiasts and those seeking a premium, long-lasting device with a stunning display, despite its 4G limitations.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Huawei Mate 50 Pro support 5G?
No, the Mate 50 Pro uses a 4G-only version of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.
❓ Is the iQOO 9's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to overheating?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can experience thermal throttling under sustained heavy load, but vivo has implemented cooling solutions to mitigate this.