The iQOO Neo5 and OnePlus 9RT 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range flagship space. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the top-tier price tag, they take different approaches. The iQOO Neo5 leverages the efficient Snapdragon 870, while the OnePlus 9RT opts for the more powerful, yet potentially more thermally challenged, Snapdragon 888. This comparison dissects these choices to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient power management, the OnePlus 9RT 5G emerges as the winner. The Snapdragon 888, despite its potential for thermal throttling, offers a performance ceiling higher than the 870, and the 65W charging is comparable to the iQOO Neo5's 66W. However, the iQOO Neo5 remains a strong contender for budget-conscious gamers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA - Global |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 16 | 2021, October 13 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 22 | Available. Released 2021, October 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 162.2 x 74.6 x 8.3 mm (6.39 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 198.5 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~397 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 106.3 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 660 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56”, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
16 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 30 min | 65W wired, 100% in 29 min |
| Type | 4400 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange | Hacker Black, Nano Silver, Blue |
| Models | V2055A | MT2110, MT2111 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | About 590 EUR |
vivo iQOO Neo5
- More efficient Snapdragon 870 chipset
- Excellent sustained performance for gaming
- Fast 66W charging
- Lower peak performance compared to Snapdragon 888
- Potentially less advanced camera processing
OnePlus 9RT 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 888 chipset
- Potentially better camera image processing
- Fast 65W charging
- Snapdragon 888 prone to thermal throttling
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness in nits or color gamut coverage) are absent, both likely utilize AMOLED panels common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't display quality, but rather the processors driving the visuals. The Snapdragon 888 in the OnePlus 9RT will have a slight edge in rendering complex graphics, but the difference will be subtle in everyday use. Bezels are likely comparable, and without specific data, it's difficult to assess color accuracy differences.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a thorough comparison is limited. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the sensor sizes and lens apertures are crucial. The Snapdragon 888’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the OnePlus 9RT offers more advanced image processing capabilities, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. However, software optimization plays a significant role, and vivo’s image processing is often highly regarded. We can assume both phones will offer acceptable image quality, but the 9RT has the hardware advantage.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus 9RT 5G’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) is built on a smaller fabrication process than the iQOO Neo5’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). This generally translates to better power efficiency and higher peak performance. The 888’s Cortex-X1 prime core, clocked at 2.84 GHz, significantly outperforms the 870’s Kryo 585 prime core at 3.2 GHz in single-core tasks. However, the 870’s octa-core configuration is well-optimized for multi-threaded workloads. The 888 is known to throttle under sustained load, a potential issue for extended gaming sessions, while the 870 maintains more consistent performance. Both devices utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the speed isn't specified, making a direct comparison impossible.
Battery Life
Both devices offer incredibly fast charging – 66W for the iQOO Neo5 and 65W for the OnePlus 9RT, both claiming a full charge in under 30 minutes. This minimizes downtime significantly. While battery capacity isn't specified, the Snapdragon 888 is generally more power-hungry than the 870. Therefore, the iQOO Neo5, with its more efficient chipset, might offer slightly better battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity. The comparable charging speeds largely negate any capacity differences in real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 if you need a consistently smooth gaming experience without worrying about significant thermal throttling, and prioritize value for money. Its Snapdragon 870 is a proven performer in this regard. Buy the OnePlus 9RT 5G if you prefer a phone capable of handling the most demanding tasks, even if it means potentially experiencing some performance dips under sustained load, and appreciate a slightly more refined software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the OnePlus 9RT 5G overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load. While OnePlus likely implemented thermal management solutions, expect some performance throttling during prolonged gaming. The iQOO Neo5, with its Snapdragon 870, will maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 870 and 888 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical daily use – browsing, social media, video streaming – the difference will be minimal. Both chipsets are more than capable of handling these tasks smoothly. The Snapdragon 888’s advantage becomes apparent in demanding applications like video editing, high-end gaming, and running multiple resource-intensive apps simultaneously.
❓ How does the charging speed compare in real-world scenarios?
Both phones boast incredibly fast charging. The 66W on the iQOO Neo5 and 65W on the OnePlus 9RT deliver a full charge in approximately 30 minutes. The difference is negligible for most users. However, charging speed can vary based on the charger and cable used.
