The vivo iQOO series consistently delivers impressive performance and features at competitive prices. Two popular contenders are the iQOO 9 and the iQOO Neo 6. But which one offers the best value and caters to your specific needs? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO 9 takes the crown for raw power thanks to its Snapdragon 888+ chipset and blazing-fast 120W charging. However, the iQOO Neo 6 offers a slightly brighter display and a more efficient Snapdragon 870, making it a compelling choice for gamers and everyday users prioritizing battery life and value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 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 | 2022, May 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 02 | Available. Released 2022, May 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 75.1 x 8.6 or 8.7 mm | 163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 200 g / 202 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | Splash and dust resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| | Monster Touch support | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 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, gimbal OIS
13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| 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, 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, 50% in 6 min, 100% in 18 min | 80W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min |
| Type | 4350 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Legend, Alpha, Phoenix Orange | Dark Nova, Cyber Rage |
| Models | - | I2126 |
| Price | About 510 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 105h
|
Endurance rating 97h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.5 LUFS (Very good)
|
-25.0 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 745168 (v8), 852898 (v9)
GeekBench: 3503 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 627246 (v8), 730223 (v9)
GeekBench: 3076 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO 9
- Flagship Snapdragon 888+ Chipset
- Blazing-Fast 120W Charging
- Excellent Display
- Slightly Better Battery Endurance
- Potentially Higher Price
- Can run hotter under sustained load
vivo iQOO Neo 6
- Slightly Brighter Display
- Efficient Snapdragon 870 Chipset
- Excellent Value for Money
- Good Battery Life
- Slower Charging Speed
- Slightly Lower Performance than iQOO 9
Display Comparison
Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming. The iQOO Neo 6 edges out the iQOO 9 with a slightly higher peak brightness of 772 nits versus 749 nits, making it a bit easier to see in direct sunlight. Both boast an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, indicative of deep blacks and vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is generally comparable between the two, though specific sensor details are missing. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities. The iQOO 9 likely has a slight edge in video recording due to the more powerful chipset, potentially allowing for higher resolutions or frame rates. Real-world image quality will depend on software processing and specific lens configurations.
Performance
The iQOO 9 boasts the flagship Snapdragon 888+ chipset, offering a noticeable performance advantage over the iQOO Neo 6's Snapdragon 870. While the 870 is still a very capable chip, the 888+ provides smoother multitasking and better performance in demanding games. The iQOO 9's CPU configuration (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1) contributes to this performance edge.
Battery Life
The iQOO 9 holds a slight advantage in endurance rating (105h vs 97h), suggesting slightly better overall battery life. However, the iQOO 9's standout feature is its incredibly fast 120W charging, capable of reaching 50% in just 6 minutes and 100% in 18 minutes. The iQOO Neo 6's 80W charging is still fast, but takes longer (12 min to 50%, 32 min to 100%).
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO 9 is ideal for power users, mobile gamers demanding top-tier performance, and those who value incredibly fast charging. The vivo iQOO Neo 6 is a great pick for budget-conscious buyers, gamers who prioritize battery life, and users who appreciate a slightly brighter display without sacrificing performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO 9 worth the extra money over the iQOO Neo 6?
If you prioritize top-tier performance and incredibly fast charging, the iQOO 9 is worth the investment. However, if you're on a budget and value a slightly brighter display and good battery life, the iQOO Neo 6 is an excellent choice.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO 9 generally offers a smoother gaming experience due to its more powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset. However, the iQOO Neo 6's Snapdragon 870 is still very capable and provides a great gaming experience, especially considering its price.
