vivo iQOO 9 vs Xiaomi 12 Pro: A Head-to-Head Flagship Showdown

The vivo iQOO 9 (China variant) and the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity edition) represent compelling choices in the flagship Android space, particularly for users prioritizing performance. While both boast premium features, they diverge significantly in their core processing power and charging capabilities, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers. This review dissects these differences to determine which device reigns supreme.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average power user, the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Dimensity 9000+ chipset offers a more consistently high level of performance with potentially better thermal management, and while charging isn't as blazing fast as the iQOO 9, it's still very quick and efficient.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo iQOO 9 (China)	Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42
5G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	CDMA2000 1xEV-DO

Launch
Announced	2022, January 05	2022, July 04
Status	Available. Released 2022, January 12	Available. Released 2022, July 13

Body
Dimensions	164.5 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)	163.6 x 74.6 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.94 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	206 g (7.27 oz)	201 g (7.09 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)	1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~521 ppi density)
Size	6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)	6.73 inches, 109.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)	LTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)	Octa-core (1x3.20 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (4 nm)
GPU	Adreno 730	Mali-G710 MC10
OS	Android 12, OriginOS Ocean	Android 12, MIUI 13

Memory
Card slot	No	No
Internal	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 3.1	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama	Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
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)	50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 15mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm 5 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
Video	4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	HDR	HDR, panorama
Single	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)	32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm
Video	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS	1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Loudspeaker	Yes, with dual speakers	Yes, with stereo speakers
	24-bit/192kHz audio	24-bit/192kHz audio Tuned by Harman Kardon

Comms
Bluetooth	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive	5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared port	-	Yes
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	120W wired, 100% in 19 min 10W reverse wireless	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4
Type	4700 mAh	Li-Po 5160 mAh

Misc
Colors	White (BMW M branding), Orange, Black	Gray, Blue
Models	V2171A	2207122MC
Price	About 560 EUR	About 570 EUR

vivo iQOO 9 (China)

Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
Potentially higher sustained performance with aggressive cooling
10W reverse wireless charging

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 prone to thermal throttling
Camera specs unknown, potential for inconsistent image processing

Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity)

More efficient Dimensity 9000+ chipset
Potentially better thermal management
Likely superior display quality based on Xiaomi's history

Slower 67W wired charging
No reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

Both devices utilize 4nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on efficiency, but the display details are missing. Assuming both employ high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels (typical for this class), the key differentiator will be peak brightness and color calibration. The Xiaomi 12 Pro, given Xiaomi's history, likely targets a wider color gamut and higher peak brightness for HDR content. Without specific data, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Xiaomi's track record suggests a slight edge in display quality.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are absent, making a precise comparison challenging. However, both brands typically prioritize strong camera performance in their flagship models. The Xiaomi 12 Pro likely benefits from Xiaomi’s advanced image processing algorithms, focusing on vibrant colors and detail. The iQOO 9, while potentially offering a different image processing style, will likely rely on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1’s ISP capabilities. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s impossible to determine which device captures better low-light images. The absence of telephoto lens details is also a significant omission.

Performance

The core battleground is the chipset. The Xiaomi 12 Pro’s Mediatek Dimensity 9000+ (3.20 GHz Cortex-X2) holds a clock speed advantage over the iQOO 9’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (3.00 GHz Cortex-X2). While both utilize the same Cortex-A710 and A510 cores, the higher clock speeds on the Dimensity 9000+ translate to a noticeable performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to run hotter under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling, whereas the Dimensity 9000+'s 4nm process and improved architecture offer better thermal efficiency. This benefits gamers and users who frequently engage in demanding applications. Both devices feature LPDDR5 RAM, but the iQOO 9's potential for more aggressive cooling might allow it to maintain higher RAM speeds for longer.

Battery Life

The iQOO 9’s 120W wired charging is a standout feature, promising a full charge in just 19 minutes. This is significantly faster than the Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 67W charging, which, while still fast, takes considerably longer. However, battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. The iQOO 9’s faster charging is ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The Xiaomi 12 Pro’s 67W charging, coupled with the Dimensity 9000+'s potentially better power efficiency, might result in comparable real-world battery life despite the charging speed difference. The iQOO 9 also offers 10W reverse wireless charging, a feature absent in the Xiaomi 12 Pro.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 9 (China) if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds and are comfortable with the potential for more aggressive thermal throttling under sustained load. Buy the Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) if you prioritize sustained performance, a more balanced thermal profile, and a slightly more refined software experience, even if it means sacrificing the absolute fastest charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the iQOO 9 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While the iQOO 9 likely incorporates cooling solutions, it's probable that some thermal throttling will occur during extended gaming, potentially impacting frame rates over time. The Xiaomi 12 Pro's Dimensity 9000+ is generally more thermally efficient.

❓ Is the 67W charging on the Xiaomi 12 Pro slow compared to the iQOO 9's 120W?

While 67W is slower than 120W, it's still a very respectable charging speed. A full charge will still take around 35-45 minutes, which is sufficient for most users. The Dimensity 9000+'s power efficiency might also offset the slower charging speed in terms of overall usability.

❓ Which phone is better for demanding mobile games like Genshin Impact or PUBG?

The Xiaomi 12 Pro (Dimensity) is likely the better choice for sustained gaming performance. The Dimensity 9000+'s superior thermal management will allow it to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods without significant throttling, providing a smoother gaming experience.

❓ Are there any software differences between the iQOO 9 and Xiaomi 12 Pro that might affect the user experience?

The iQOO 9 likely runs vivo's OriginOS (or a similar skin), while the Xiaomi 12 Pro runs Xiaomi's MIUI. MIUI is known for its extensive customization options but can also be resource-intensive. OriginOS is generally considered lighter and more streamlined, but may lack some of MIUI's features.