The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo iQOO 9 (China), known for its raw power, and the Realme 10, a budget-friendly option with impressive battery life. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone emerges victorious.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO 9 (China) is the clear winner for performance enthusiasts, boasting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and blazing-fast 120W charging. However, the Realme 10 offers exceptional battery life and a more accessible price point, making it a strong choice for everyday users prioritizing longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 05 | 2022, November 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 12 | Available. Released 2022, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 159.9 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 206 g (7.27 oz) | 178 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Mediatek Helio G99 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 730 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| OS | Android 12, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.76", PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 50 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) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 100% in 19 min
10W reverse wireless | 33W wired, 50% in 28 min |
| Type | 4700 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White (BMW M branding), Orange, Black | White, Blue |
| Models | V2171A | RMX3630 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | About 440 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 385829 (v9)
GeekBench: 1762 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO 9 (China)
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 performance
- Incredibly fast 120W charging
- Likely superior display quality (AMOLED)
- Potentially better camera system
- Higher price point
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to Realme 10
- China-specific model may have software limitations
Realme 10
- Exceptional battery life (126h endurance rating)
- More affordable price
- Smooth and reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Decent display brightness
- Less powerful chipset (Helio G99)
- Slower charging speed
- Likely inferior camera quality compared to iQOO 9
- Display quality may not be as vibrant
Display Comparison
The iQOO 9 (China) likely features an AMOLED display with a high refresh rate (typically 120Hz), offering vibrant colors and smooth scrolling. The Realme 10 has a 610 nits max brightness, which is decent but not exceptional. While the Realme 10 boasts an 'infinite' contrast ratio (likely a marketing term), the iQOO 9's AMOLED panel will likely provide a superior viewing experience overall.
Camera Comparison
While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the iQOO 9 (China) likely has a more advanced camera system, potentially with larger sensors and better image processing. The Realme 10's camera is likely adequate for everyday snapshots, but it won't compete with the iQOO 9's potential for higher-quality images and video.
Performance
Here's where the iQOO 9 (China) truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is a flagship chipset, delivering significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking compared to the Realme 10's Helio G99. Expect noticeably better gaming performance and quicker app loading times on the iQOO 9.
Battery Life
The Realme 10 takes the crown in battery life. Its endurance rating of 126h suggests exceptional longevity. The iQOO 9 (China), while offering incredibly fast 120W charging, likely has a smaller battery capacity and won't last as long on a single charge.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO 9 (China) is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who demands top-tier performance. The Realme 10 is perfect for students, budget-conscious buyers, and those who prioritize long battery life and a smooth, reliable experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO 9 (China) worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize performance and fast charging, the iQOO 9 (China) is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and battery life is your top concern, the Realme 10 is a more sensible choice.
❓ Will the iQOO 9 (China) receive software updates?
As a China-specific model, software update support may be limited compared to globally released phones. Research the update situation before purchasing.
