iQOO 9 vs Xiaomi 12T Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Fast Charging

The iQOO 9 and Xiaomi 12T Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-to-high range smartphone market. While both boast blazing-fast 120W charging, they diverge significantly in their core processing power and display technology, making the choice less about speed of refueling and more about sustained performance and visual experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Xiaomi 12T Pro emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, delivers superior performance and thermal management compared to the iQOO 9’s Snapdragon 888+. While the iQOO 9 charges slightly faster, the 12T Pro’s overall package offers a more refined experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 9 Xiaomi 12T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 75 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, February 232022, October 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, March 02Available. Released 2022, October 06
Body
BuildGlass front (Panda Glass), aluminum frame, glass back-
Dimensions159.1 x 75.1 x 8.6 or 8.7 mm163.1 x 75.9 x 8.6 mm (6.42 x 2.99 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight200 g / 202 g (7.05 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
 Splash and dust resistantIP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
ProtectionPanda GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2376 pixels (~398 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (peak)
 Monster Touch support-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.99 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 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 730
OSAndroid 12, Funtouch 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
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, gimbal OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm-
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/1.22", 0.64µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.47", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, HDR
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audioTuned by Harman Kardon 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
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
Charging120W wired, 50% in 6 min, 100% in 18 min120W wired, 100% in 19 min
Type4350 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLegend, Alpha, Phoenix OrangeBlack, Silver, Blue
Models-22081212UG, 22081212G
PriceAbout 510 EUR$ 208.76 / € 167.62
SAR-1.08 W/kg (head)     1.07 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 105h Endurance rating 91h
Camera Photo / VideoPhoto / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -25.5 LUFS (Very good) -24.1 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 745168 (v8), 852898 (v9) GeekBench: 3503 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 1032185 (v9) GeekBench: 4081 (v5.1) GFXBench: 65fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO 9

  • Slightly faster 50% charge time
  • Higher battery endurance rating (though marginal)
  • Potentially lower price point (depending on region)

  • Older Snapdragon 888+ chipset
  • Less efficient 5nm process
  • Dimmer display

Xiaomi 12T Pro

  • More powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • More efficient 4nm process for sustained performance

  • Slightly slower full charge time
  • Lower battery endurance rating
  • Potentially higher price point

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12T Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching 913 nits measured, compared to the iQOO 9’s 749 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. Both displays share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels. While neither specification details refresh rate or panel technology (LTPO), the brightness difference is a clear win for the 12T Pro, benefiting users who consume a lot of media outdoors or in brightly lit environments.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given Xiaomi’s history of focusing on camera features, it’s reasonable to assume the 12T Pro may offer more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a more versatile camera system. The absence of detail suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer in this segment.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 12T Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm), while the iQOO 9 features the Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5nm). The 8+ Gen 1’s smaller 4nm node provides a substantial efficiency advantage, leading to less heat generation under load. This is reflected in the CPU architecture: the 12T Pro’s Cortex-X2 core clocks higher at 3.19 GHz versus the iQOO 9’s 2.99 GHz Cortex-X1. The newer Cortex-A710 cores in the 12T Pro also offer improved performance per watt. Gamers and power users will notice the difference in sustained performance, with less throttling on the 12T Pro.

Battery Life

The iQOO 9 has an endurance rating of 105 hours, while the Xiaomi 12T Pro scores 91 hours. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Both support 120W wired charging, but the 12T Pro reaches 100% in 19 minutes, while the iQOO 9 takes 18 minutes. The iQOO 9 gets to 50% in 6 minutes, slightly faster than the 12T Pro. The iQOO 9’s slightly better endurance is likely due to the less power-hungry chipset, but the difference is offset by the 12T Pro’s more efficient processor and brighter display.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 9 if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and are a casual user who doesn't heavily tax the processor with demanding games or applications. Buy the Xiaomi 12T Pro if you value sustained performance during gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. The 12T Pro is the better choice for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 888+ in the iQOO 9 throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888+ is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While iQOO likely implemented cooling solutions, the 5nm process is less efficient than the 4nm process in the 12T Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. Expect some throttling during prolonged gaming, potentially leading to frame rate drops.
❓ How does the 120W charging affect the long-term battery health of both phones?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, it can generate heat, which is a known contributor to battery degradation over time. Both manufacturers likely employ charging management algorithms to mitigate this, but consistent use of ultra-fast charging *may* slightly reduce the battery’s lifespan compared to slower charging methods.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 164-nit difference in peak brightness is quite noticeable, especially outdoors. The Xiaomi 12T Pro’s brighter display will be significantly easier to view in direct sunlight, making it a better choice for users who frequently use their phones outside.