The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO 9 SE and Xiaomi Poco F5 are two of the strongest contenders. Both offer impressive specs and features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco F5 emerges as the slightly stronger contender thanks to its more modern Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset and brighter display. However, the iQOO 9 SE's Snapdragon 888 still offers excellent performance, and its charging speed is a highlight. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 23 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 02 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.2 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| 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 | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 50% in 14 min, 100% in 39 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Space Fusion, Sunset Sierra | Black, Blue, White |
| Models | - | 23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I |
| Price | About 400 EUR | € 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 87h
|
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 727771 (v8), 846231 (v9)
GeekBench: 3442 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 64fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
vivo iQOO 9 SE
- Blazing-fast 66W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Competitive price
- Good display quality
- Lower battery life compared to Poco F5
- Less bright display
- Older chipset
Xiaomi Poco F5
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- More efficient Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset
- Excellent battery life
- Stylish design
- Charging speed slightly slower than iQOO 9 SE
- Performance not quite as raw as the 888 in short bursts
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 boasts a significantly brighter display at 963 nits compared to the iQOO 9 SE's 863 nits. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the Poco F5's higher brightness makes it more comfortable to use outdoors. Both likely use AMOLED panels with 120Hz refresh rates, offering smooth scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely comparable, with both phones offering versatile setups. Both likely include a main sensor around 64MP, an ultrawide lens, and a macro lens. Image quality will depend on software processing and specific shooting conditions. We'd need detailed camera samples to make a definitive judgment.
Performance
Here's where the Poco F5 takes a clear lead. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 is a more modern and efficient chipset than the iQOO 9 SE's Snapdragon 888. While the 888 is still capable, the 7+ Gen 2 offers better sustained performance and improved power efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and less thermal throttling on the Poco F5.
Battery Life
The Poco F5 demonstrates superior battery life in active use (11:52h) and boasts a higher endurance rating (118h) compared to the iQOO 9 SE (87h). While the iQOO 9 SE charges faster (66W vs 67W), the Poco F5's larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset give it the edge in longevity.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO 9 SE is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize raw processing power and incredibly fast charging. The Xiaomi Poco F5 is a better choice for those seeking a vibrant display, smoother everyday performance, and excellent battery life in a stylish package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO 9 SE's Snapdragon 888 still offers strong gaming performance, but the Poco F5's more efficient chipset and better thermal management might result in more consistent frame rates over longer gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Poco F5 worth the extra money?
If you prioritize display quality, battery life, and smoother overall performance, the Poco F5 is likely worth the slight premium. However, if you're on a tighter budget and value charging speed above all else, the iQOO 9 SE remains a compelling option.
