The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO 9 SE and the Realme GT2 Explorer Master are two strong contenders. Both offer impressive specs and features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master takes the crown thanks to its superior Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, significantly better battery life, and blazing-fast 100W charging. While the iQOO 9 SE offers a decent experience, the GT2 Explorer Master provides a more premium and future-proof package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 23 | 2022, July 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 02 | Available. Released 2022, July 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, ceramic back or eco leather back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 161.3 x 74.3 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 2.93 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 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 | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.2, 150˚ (ultrawide)
3 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope), AF, 40x magnification |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Yes |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 50% in 14 min, 100% in 39 min | 100W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Fusion, Sunset Sierra | Gray, White, Gold |
| Models | - | RMX3551 |
| Price | About 400 EUR | About 500 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 87h
|
Endurance rating 126h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 727771 (v8), 846231 (v9)
GeekBench: 3442 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 1045876 (v9)
GeekBench: 4021 (v5.1) |
vivo iQOO 9 SE
- Fast Charging (66W)
- Good Performance for the Price
- Bright Display
- Compact Size (likely)
- Older Chipset
- Shorter Battery Life
- Camera Performance Potentially Lags Behind
Realme GT2 Explorer Master
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1)
- Exceptional Battery Life
- Blazing-Fast Charging (100W)
- Premium Build Quality (likely)
- Potentially Higher Price
- May be slightly larger than iQOO 9 SE
Display Comparison
Both phones boast excellent displays with infinite contrast ratios. However, the iQOO 9 SE edges out the Realme GT2 Explorer Master slightly in peak brightness (863 nits vs 798 nits), potentially offering better visibility in direct sunlight. Both likely feature AMOLED panels with smooth refresh rates (likely 120Hz), providing a fluid visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely comparable in good lighting conditions, but the GT2 Explorer Master's more advanced chipset and potentially better image processing algorithms could give it an edge in challenging scenarios. Both phones likely feature versatile camera setups with main, ultrawide, and potentially macro lenses. Detailed camera testing would be needed for a definitive verdict.
Performance
This is where the Realme GT2 Explorer Master truly shines. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset is significantly more powerful than the iQOO 9 SE's Snapdragon 888. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in demanding games. The GT2 Explorer Master's CPU architecture also contributes to its overall speed advantage.
Battery Life
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master dominates in battery life, boasting an endurance rating of 126 hours compared to the iQOO 9 SE's 87 hours. Furthermore, its 100W wired charging is significantly faster than the iQOO 9 SE's 66W, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO 9 SE is a good choice for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize a snappy experience and fast charging. The Realme GT2 Explorer Master is ideal for power users, photographers, and anyone who values long battery life and top-tier performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The Realme GT2 Explorer Master charges from 0-100% in approximately 39 minutes with its 100W charging, while the iQOO 9 SE takes around 39 minutes with its 66W charging.
