iQOO Neo9 Pro vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The iQOO Neo9 Pro, currently exclusive to the Chinese market, throws down the gauntlet with MediaTek’s latest Dimensity 9300 chipset, promising raw performance. The OnePlus 12R, meanwhile, offers a more globally accessible package built around the proven Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison dissects which phone delivers the best experience for demanding users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing peak CPU performance and ultra-fast 120W charging, the iQOO Neo9 Pro is the winner. However, the OnePlus 12R counters with significantly longer battery life and a more refined, globally available software experience, making it the better all-rounder for most.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro (China) OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, December 272024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, December 30Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.5 x 75.7 x 8 mm or 8.3 mm163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g or 196 g (6.70 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.0, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K, 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (closed type)Yes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 40% in 9 min Reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type5160 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, RedIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsV2339ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 380 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro (China)

  • Potentially higher CPU performance with Dimensity 9300
  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • China-exclusive availability
  • Limited information on display and camera specs
  • Software experience may require adaptation

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent battery life (14:32h active use)
  • Bright and vibrant display (1181 nits)
  • Globally available with established software support

  • Slightly less powerful CPU than the Dimensity 9300
  • Charging speed is slower than iQOO Neo9 Pro
  • Camera performance is good, but not class-leading

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a bright display, reaching a measured 1181 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even outdoors. While the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s display specifications are currently unavailable, iQOO typically equips its devices with high-refresh-rate AMOLED panels. The OnePlus 12R’s brightness advantage is significant, and its panel quality is well-regarded. Without further details on the Neo9 Pro’s panel technology (LTPO, PWM dimming rate), the 12R currently holds the display advantage.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Neo9 Pro are currently lacking. The OnePlus 12R, while not a camera-focused flagship, offers a capable setup. Without knowing the sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS implementation on the Neo9 Pro, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. We can assume iQOO will prioritize a strong main sensor, but the OnePlus 12R’s image processing is well-tuned for consistent results. The absence of detailed camera information for the Neo9 Pro prevents a meaningful assessment.

Performance

The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Neo9 Pro’s Dimensity 9300, built on a 4nm process, features a unique CPU configuration with a 1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core, three 2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 performance cores, and four 2.0 GHz Cortex-A720 efficiency cores. This contrasts with the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (also 4nm) which utilizes a 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 configuration. The Dimensity 9300’s emphasis on the newer Cortex-X4 cores suggests a potential edge in single-core performance, while the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and thermal management. The Neo9 Pro’s architecture *should* deliver higher peak performance, but real-world sustained performance will depend on iQOO’s cooling solution.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines in battery life, achieving an impressive 14 hours and 32 minutes of active use. The iQOO Neo9 Pro, while featuring incredibly fast 120W wired charging (40% in 9 minutes), lacks published battery life data. The 12R’s 100W charging (100% in 26 minutes) is still very fast, but the OnePlus 12R’s significantly longer runtime gives it a clear advantage for users who prioritize minimizing charging frequency. The Neo9 Pro’s charging speed is a compelling feature, but it’s offset by the unknown battery capacity and resulting runtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro (China) if you absolutely need the fastest possible Android processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or emulation, and are comfortable with the China-specific software and import considerations. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, a stable software experience, and a more readily available device with a proven track record of performance and support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Dimensity 9300 in the iQOO Neo9 Pro prone to overheating under sustained load?
While the Dimensity 9300 is a powerful chip, its thermal performance will heavily depend on iQOO’s cooling system implementation. Without independent thermal testing, it’s difficult to say definitively. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R is known for its relatively efficient thermal management, offering more consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the OnePlus 12R support high refresh rate gaming, like 90fps or 120fps in popular titles?
The OnePlus 12R’s powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and capable display *should* support high refresh rate gaming in many popular titles like PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact, though settings adjustments may be necessary to maintain stable frame rates. The specific frame rate options will depend on the game itself and its optimization.
❓ What are the software implications of buying the iQOO Neo9 Pro, given it's a China-exclusive model?
The iQOO Neo9 Pro runs on a China-specific version of Android with iQOO’s Funtouch OS. This means it likely lacks Google Mobile Services (GMS) out of the box, requiring users to sideload them. Language support may also be limited, and software updates may be less frequent or unavailable compared to the globally released OnePlus 12R.