vivo iQOO 9 Pro vs iQOO 9: A Detailed Showdown

The vivo iQOO series is known for delivering high-performance smartphones at competitive prices. The iQOO 9 Pro and iQOO 9 are two of their latest offerings, both targeting gamers and power users. But which one offers the better overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO 9 Pro takes the lead with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, brighter display, and faster charging. However, the iQOO 9 boasts slightly better battery endurance and a more efficient chipset, making it a compelling choice for those prioritizing longevity and value. Ultimately, the Pro is the premium option.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 9 Pro vivo iQOO 9
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2022, January 052022, February 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 12Available. Released 2022, March 02
Body
BuildGlass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back or aramid fiber backGlass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions164.8 x 75.2 x 8.8 mm159.1 x 75.1 x 8.6 or 8.7 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight204 g or 210 g (7.20 oz)200 g / 202 g (7.05 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantSplash and dust resistant
Display
ProtectionPanda GlassPanda Glass
Resolution1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO2 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)
 -Monster Touch support
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS Ocean (China)Android 12, Funtouch 12
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 (V6)UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual-48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
FeaturesDual-LED lash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Triple50 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, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS
RadioNoNo
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 50% in 8 min, 100% in 20 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless120W wired, 50% in 6 min, 100% in 18 min
Type4700 mAh4350 mAh
Misc
ColorsLegend (White w/ BMW M branding), Dark Cruise, OrangeLegend, Alpha, Phoenix Orange
ModelsV2172A, I2022-
PriceAbout 630 EURAbout 510 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 97h Endurance rating 105h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -24.8 LUFS (Very good) -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 862324 (v8), 997948 (v9) GeekBench: 3708 (v5.1) GFXBench: 46fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 745168 (v8), 852898 (v9) GeekBench: 3503 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 9 Pro

  • Brighter Display (1000 nits)
  • Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Chipset
  • Faster 120W Wired Charging
  • Premium Build Quality (likely)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Slightly lower battery endurance compared to iQOO 9
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can be prone to throttling under sustained load

vivo iQOO 9

  • Excellent Battery Endurance (105h)
  • Efficient Snapdragon 888+ Chipset
  • Competitive Price
  • Fast 120W Wired Charging

  • Less Bright Display (749 nits)
  • Older Snapdragon 888+ Chipset
  • Potentially less premium build quality

Display Comparison

The iQOO 9 Pro's display shines with a measured peak brightness of 1000 nits, significantly brighter than the iQOO 9's 749 nits. Both feature excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal), but the Pro's higher brightness provides better visibility in outdoor conditions. Both likely use AMOLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling and gaming.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited in the provided data, but both phones likely feature capable camera systems. Expect versatile setups with wide, ultrawide, and potentially telephoto lenses. Image processing and video recording capabilities will differ, with the Pro potentially offering slightly better results due to its more powerful chipset and potentially improved image signal processor (ISP).

Performance

The iQOO 9 Pro packs the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, offering a noticeable performance edge over the iQOO 9's Snapdragon 888+. While both are powerful, the 8 Gen 1 generally handles demanding games and multitasking with greater ease. The Pro's Cortex-X2 core also contributes to faster single-core performance.

Battery Life

The iQOO 9 edges out the iQOO 9 Pro in battery endurance, boasting a 97h vs 105h rating. However, the iQOO 9 Pro's 120W wired charging is significantly faster, reaching 50% in just 8 minutes and 100% in 20 minutes, compared to the iQOO 9's 6 minutes and 18 minutes respectively. Both offer 50W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO 9 Pro is ideal for serious gamers and users who demand the absolute best performance and a vibrant display. If you're on a tighter budget and prioritize battery life and a slightly more efficient device, the iQOO 9 remains an excellent choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the iQOO 9 Pro worth the extra money?
If you prioritize top-tier performance, a brighter display, and the fastest charging speeds, the iQOO 9 Pro is worth the investment. However, the iQOO 9 offers excellent value for its price.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO 9 Pro generally offers a better gaming experience due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset. However, the iQOO 9 is still a capable gaming phone.