vivo iQOO 9 vs iQOO 9T: A Detailed Showdown

The vivo iQOO series is known for delivering high-performance smartphones at competitive prices. The iQOO 9 and its successor, the iQOO 9T, both offer impressive specs, but which one truly comes out on top? This comprehensive comparison will delve into every aspect, from display and performance to camera and battery life.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO 9T edges out the iQOO 9 thanks to its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, offering improved efficiency and performance. While both offer blazing-fast 120W charging, the 9T's slightly faster charging and brighter display make it the overall winner for power users and gamers.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 9 (China) vivo iQOO 9T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700 / 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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, January 052022, August 02
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 12Available. Released 2022, August 02
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions164.5 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)165 x 77 x 8 mm (6.50 x 3.03 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight206 g (7.27 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
 -Dust and dripping water resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak)
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 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
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/1.9, (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), AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
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, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 19 min 10W reverse wireless120W wired, 50% in 8 min, 100% in 19 min
Type4700 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsWhite (BMW M branding), Orange, BlackAlpha, Legend (BMW M branding)
ModelsV2171A-
PriceAbout 560 EURAbout 600 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -28.8 LUFS (Average)

vivo iQOO 9 (China)

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
  • Smooth 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Competitive price

  • Slightly less efficient chipset compared to 9T
  • Lower peak brightness than 9T
  • Limited camera details in specs

vivo iQOO 9T

  • Improved Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset for better efficiency and performance
  • Brighter 1033 nits display
  • Fast 120W charging
  • Excellent contrast ratio

  • Higher price than iQOO 9
  • Limited camera details in specs

Display Comparison

Both phones feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth visuals. However, the iQOO 9T boasts a significantly higher peak brightness of 1033 nits (measured) compared to the iQOO 9, resulting in better outdoor visibility. The iQOO 9T's contrast ratio is listed as 'Infinite' (nominal), suggesting excellent black levels and vibrant colors. While the iQOO 9's display is still excellent, the 9T's is noticeably superior.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited in the provided specs. However, both phones are expected to offer a versatile camera system with a primary sensor, ultrawide lens, and potentially a telephoto lens. The iQOO 9T's improved chipset may contribute to slightly better image processing and video recording capabilities, but real-world differences are likely to be subtle without more detailed camera specifications.

Performance

The iQOO 9 utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while the iQOO 9T upgrades to the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This is a significant improvement. The 8+ Gen 1 offers better efficiency and sustained performance, meaning less throttling during extended gaming sessions and improved overall responsiveness. Both phones have ample RAM and storage, ensuring smooth multitasking and fast loading times.

Battery Life

Both devices have a similar battery capacity and offer incredibly fast 120W wired charging. The iQOO 9T's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset's improved efficiency translates to slightly better battery endurance, as indicated by the endurance rating of 117h for both, suggesting similar real-world usage.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO 9 is a great choice for those seeking a flagship experience with excellent performance and incredibly fast charging at a slightly lower price point. The iQOO 9T is ideal for serious gamers and power users who demand the absolute best performance, a brighter display, and slightly improved efficiency, justifying the premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the iQOO 9T worth the upgrade?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers improved efficiency and sustained performance compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, making it a worthwhile upgrade for gamers and power users.
❓ How fast does the 120W charging work on both phones?
Both phones offer incredibly fast 120W charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in approximately 8 minutes and a full charge in around 19 minutes.