iQOO Neo 855 vs Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro: A Deep Dive into Snapdragon 855 Performance and Value

Both the vivo iQOO Neo 855 and the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – powerful performance from the Snapdragon 855 at a relatively affordable price. Released around the same time, they cater to users seeking flagship-level capabilities without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their differences, focusing on charging, battery endurance, and how those impact the user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and potentially slightly better sustained performance, the iQOO Neo 855 emerges as the winner. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W, and while battery life is similar, the faster top-up is a key advantage.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo 855 Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2019, October. Released 2019, October2019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.5 g (7.02 oz)191 g (6.74 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)
Size6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Super AMOLED, HDR
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 64GB 6GB RAM (UFS 2.1), all others (UFS 3.0)UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µmMotorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 32-bit/192kHz audio 24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoYes
USBUSB Type-C, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired27W wired, QC4
Type4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsPurple, Aurora White, BlackCarbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue
ModelsV1936A, V1936TM1903F11G
PriceAbout 260 EURAbout 150 EUR
SAR-1.03 W/kg (head)     0.72 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.30 W/kg (head)     1.51 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB
Battery life-Endurance rating 103h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.9 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8) GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1) GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Neo 855

  • Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups
  • Potentially better thermal management for sustained gaming
  • iQOO brand focus on gaming performance

  • Battery capacity not specified
  • Camera details are unknown

Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro

  • Excellent 103-hour endurance rating
  • Quick Charge 4 compatibility for wider charger support
  • Likely more color-accurate display

  • Slower 27W charging
  • Potential for more thermal throttling under heavy load

Display Comparison

Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels, offering excellent blacks and vibrant colors. However, specific details like peak brightness, color gamut coverage, and PWM dimming frequency are missing. Given Xiaomi’s history, the Mi 9T Pro likely features a slightly more color-accurate display, while the iQOO Neo 855 may prioritize higher peak brightness for outdoor visibility. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rates are likely fixed, impacting power consumption during dynamic content.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are absent, making a direct comparison challenging. However, both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor, ultrawide, and depth sensor. The image processing style will likely differ – Xiaomi typically leans towards more saturated and vibrant images, while vivo often aims for a more natural look. Without knowing sensor sizes and apertures, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on the primary sensor would be a significant advantage for video recording and reducing blur in low-light photos, but this is unknown for both devices.

Performance

At the heart of both phones lies the Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) chipset, featuring an identical CPU configuration: an octa-core setup with 1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485, and 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 cores. This ensures comparable raw processing power for tasks like gaming and video editing. However, thermal management is where differences may emerge. The iQOO brand often focuses on gaming performance, suggesting potentially more aggressive cooling solutions within the Neo 855, potentially leading to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. RAM configurations are not specified, but both likely offer options up to 8GB or 12GB, impacting multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro boasts an endurance rating of 103 hours, indicating excellent battery life under typical usage. The iQOO Neo 855’s battery capacity is not specified, but its 33W wired charging significantly outpaces the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W wired charging with QC4 support. This translates to a faster 0-100% charge time for the iQOO Neo 855. While the Mi 9T Pro’s QC4 compatibility offers broader charger support, the iQOO Neo 855’s higher wattage provides a quicker top-up, crucial for users who frequently need to recharge.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 855 if you need rapid charging and prioritize minimizing downtime, especially if you're a heavy user or gamer. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you prefer a phone with a proven 103-hour endurance rating and appreciate Quick Charge 4 compatibility for broader charger support, and are less concerned about the absolute fastest charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in either phone struggle with demanding games released in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 855 was a flagship chip, newer games may require reduced graphics settings for smooth gameplay. Both phones should handle most titles at medium settings, but expect some frame drops in the most demanding games. Thermal throttling could also become a factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the Mi 9T Pro’s Quick Charge 4 compatibility mean I can use any USB-C charger with it?
Quick Charge 4 is backward compatible with older Quick Charge versions and USB Power Delivery (USB-PD). However, to achieve the full 27W charging speed, you’ll need a charger that specifically supports Quick Charge 4. Using a standard USB-C charger will still charge the phone, but at a slower rate.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs a major concern when choosing between these phones?
Yes, it is. Camera performance is highly dependent on sensor size, aperture, and image processing. Without this information, it’s difficult to assess which phone will deliver better photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions. Relying on online sample photos and reviews is crucial.
❓ How important is the faster charging speed of the iQOO Neo 855 in real-world usage?
The 33W charging on the iQOO Neo 855 can significantly reduce downtime, especially for heavy users. A full charge in under an hour is a substantial advantage over the Mi 9T Pro’s slower charging speed, allowing you to quickly get back to using your phone.