Both the vivo iQOO Neo 855 and the Samsung Galaxy A90 5G represent interesting points in smartphone history – the peak of the Snapdragon 855 era before the shift to 7nm+ and 5G becoming more mainstream. While both devices share the same core chipset, their implementations and surrounding features cater to slightly different user priorities, making a direct comparison crucial for potential buyers seeking value in the used or refurbished market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially better sustained performance, the vivo iQOO Neo 855 emerges as the winner. Its 33W charging significantly outperforms the A90 5G’s 25W, and while both share the Snapdragon 855, iQOO’s focus on gaming suggests a more optimized thermal solution.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | - | 41, 78 Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, October. Released 2019, October | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 164.8 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.49 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) | 206 g (7.27 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, HDR10 | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (6GB model only) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | 64GB 6GB RAM (UFS 2.1), all others (UFS 3.0) | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 3.1 |
| 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 |
| | - | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
ANT+ |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Purple, Aurora White, Black | White, Black |
| Models | V1936A, V1936T | SM-A908B, SM-A908N, SM-A9080 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 400 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.38 W/kg (head) 1.55 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Neo 855
- Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially better thermal management for sustained gaming.
- Likely optimized software for gaming performance.
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially inferior to the A90 5G.
- Samsung's One UI software ecosystem is unavailable.
Samsung Galaxy A90 5G
- Samsung’s One UI software experience.
- Potentially larger display for media consumption.
- Samsung’s image processing algorithms for potentially better photos.
- Slower 25W charging.
- Potentially less optimized thermal management for gaming.
- May experience more throttling under sustained load.
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the A90 5G’s larger physical size, it likely features a larger display panel. The iQOO Neo 855, being marketed towards gamers, may prioritize a higher refresh rate (though unconfirmed), which would provide a smoother visual experience. Color accuracy and peak brightness are unknown, but Samsung historically excels in display technology, potentially giving the A90 5G an edge in these areas if it utilizes a high-quality AMOLED panel.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, but the sensor sizes and lens apertures are unknown. The A90 5G, being a Samsung device, likely benefits from Samsung’s image processing algorithms, which are generally well-regarded for producing vibrant and detailed images. The iQOO Neo 855 may prioritize a more natural color profile. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is unknown for both devices, but would be a significant advantage for low-light photography.
Performance
The core performance is identical: both the iQOO Neo 855 and Galaxy A90 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) with the same octa-core CPU configuration. However, the *implementation* matters. iQOO, as a sub-brand of vivo, often focuses on gaming performance. This suggests a more aggressive cooling solution and potentially optimized software to sustain peak clock speeds for longer durations. The A90 5G, while capable, is a more general-purpose device, and its thermal management may prioritize consistent performance over sustained peak performance. RAM speed (LPDDR4X vs LPDDR5) is not specified, but faster RAM would benefit multitasking and gaming.
Battery Life
The battery capacity is not specified for either device. However, the charging wattage is a key differentiator. The iQOO Neo 855 supports 33W wired charging, while the Galaxy A90 5G is limited to 25W. This translates to significantly faster charging times for the iQOO Neo 855. A larger battery capacity on the A90 5G could offset the slower charging, but without knowing the mAh rating, it’s difficult to determine which device offers better overall battery life. The faster charging of the iQOO Neo 855 is a tangible benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 855 if you need a phone geared towards gaming and fast charging, and value a potentially more optimized thermal profile for sustained performance. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A90 5G if you prefer Samsung’s One UI software experience and a larger display, and are less concerned with maximizing charging speed or pushing the chipset to its absolute limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in either phone struggle with demanding games in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 855 was a flagship processor, it's now several generations old. Expect to play most games at medium settings, but newer, more graphically intensive titles may require lower settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. Thermal throttling could also become a factor during extended gaming sessions, potentially favoring the iQOO Neo 855 due to its likely better cooling.
❓ Does the Galaxy A90 5G's 5G capability still offer a significant benefit today?
5G coverage has expanded significantly since the A90 5G's release. However, the actual benefit depends on your location and carrier. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience faster download and upload speeds. Otherwise, the 5G capability may not be a significant advantage.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 25W and 33W really noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the 33W charging on the iQOO Neo 855 is noticeably faster. Expect a significantly shorter time to reach 50% and 100% charge compared to the A90 5G’s 25W charging. This is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
