vivo iQOO 9 SE vs Realme GT2: A Detailed Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO 9 SE and Realme GT2 are two strong contenders. Both pack the Snapdragon 888 chipset, but offer distinct experiences. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme GT2 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its significantly longer battery life and slightly faster charging. While the iQOO 9 SE offers a comparable processor and display brightness, the GT2's endurance and value proposition make it the more compelling choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 9 SE Realme GT2
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2022, February 232022, January 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 02Available. Released 2022, January 08
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)162.9 x 75.8 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight199 g (7.02 oz)194.5 / 199.8 g (6.88 oz)
 Splash and dust resistant-
Display
ProtectionPanda GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 12, Funtouch 12Android 12, Realme UI 3.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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
Charging66W wired, 50% in 14 min, 100% in 39 min65W wired, 100% in 33 min
Type4500 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Fusion, Sunset SierraPaper White, Paper Green, Steel Black, Titanium Blue
Models-RMX3310, RMX3312, RMX3311
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 790 EUR
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 87h Endurance rating 115h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.1 LUFS (Good) -26.8 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 727771 (v8), 846231 (v9) GeekBench: 3442 (v5.1) GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 810512 (v9) GeekBench: 3487 (v5.1) GFXBench: 56fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 9 SE

  • Bright Display
  • Fast Charging (66W)
  • Flagship Processor (Snapdragon 888)

  • Shorter Battery Life
  • Camera details unclear

Realme GT2

  • Excellent Battery Life (115h Endurance)
  • Faster Charging (65W)
  • Potentially better camera system (based on general reviews)

  • Slightly lower peak brightness than iQOO 9 SE

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent displays with a nominal infinite contrast ratio. The iQOO 9 SE boasts a slightly higher peak brightness of 863 nits compared to the Realme GT2's 846 nits, though the difference is minimal and likely imperceptible in most real-world scenarios. Both utilize AMOLED panels with smooth refresh rates (likely 120Hz, though not explicitly stated in the provided specs).

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is difficult to assess solely from the provided specs. Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but details on sensor sizes, aperture, and video recording features are missing. Based on general knowledge, the Realme GT2 often receives praise for its image processing and versatile camera system, potentially giving it an edge. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.

Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 888 5G chipset, both devices deliver flagship-level performance. Expect smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and effortless handling of demanding applications. While the CPU configurations are identical, slight variations in software optimization could lead to minor performance differences, but overall, performance should be very similar.

Battery Life

This is where the Realme GT2 truly shines. With an endurance rating of 115h, it significantly outperforms the iQOO 9 SE's 87h. The GT2 also charges slightly faster at 65W (100% in 33 minutes) compared to the iQOO 9 SE's 66W (100% in 39 minutes). This translates to noticeably longer battery life and quicker top-ups for the Realme GT2.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO 9 SE is ideal for gamers and users prioritizing a bright display and fast charging. The Realme GT2 is a better fit for those who value all-day battery life, a more refined design, and a slightly better overall package.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 888. The iQOO 9 SE's slightly brighter display might be preferable for some gamers, but the Realme GT2's longer battery life could be advantageous for extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Realme GT2 worth the extra cost?
If battery life is a priority, then yes. The Realme GT2's significantly longer endurance and faster charging make it a more practical choice for many users. However, if you're primarily focused on display brightness and are willing to compromise on battery, the iQOO 9 SE could be a viable alternative.