The Realme GT5 Pro and vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro represent the cutting edge of Chinese smartphone innovation, both aiming for flagship performance without the flagship price tag. The GT5 Pro leverages Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while the iQOO Neo9 Pro champions MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT5 Pro emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a slight edge in sustained performance, coupled with a brighter display and the convenience of wireless charging. However, the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s 120W charging is a compelling advantage for those prioritizing speed.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, December 27 | 2023, December 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, December 30 | Available. Released 2023, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 75.7 x 8 mm or 8.3 mm | 161.7 x 75.1 x 9.2 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g or 196 g (6.70 oz) | 218 g / 224 g (7.69 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~92.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 9300 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G720 MC12 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 14, OriginOS 4 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.43", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.6, 65mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS, 2.7x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 8K, 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, Dolby Vision |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, 22mm (wide), 1/2.74" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (closed type) | Yes, with stereo speakers (Dolby Atmos certified) |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 40% in 9 min
Reverse wired | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min
50W wireless |
| Type | 5160 mAh | Li-Ion 5400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Red | Black, Silver, Orange |
| Models | V2339A | RMX3888 |
| Price | About 380 EUR | About 430 EUR |
vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro (China)
- Blazing-fast 120W wired charging
- Potentially strong multi-core performance with Dimensity 9300’s core configuration
- Competitive price point (expected)
- China-market device – potential software limitations
- Missing display specifications raise concerns about brightness and efficiency
Realme GT5 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- Bright 1660 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility
- Convenient 50W wireless charging
- Slower wired charging compared to iQOO Neo9 Pro
- Thermal throttling potential under sustained load
Display Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1660 nits, making it more usable in direct sunlight. While the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, the GT5 Pro’s brightness advantage is substantial. Both devices likely utilize AMOLED panels, but the GT5 Pro’s higher peak brightness and potential for LTPO technology (based on Realme’s flagship history) suggest a smoother, more efficient viewing experience. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the GT5 Pro’s brightness is a clear differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are missing for both devices, but the Realme GT5 Pro is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, typical of Realme’s flagship offerings. The focus should be on the main sensor size and aperture. While both likely include multiple lenses, the quality of the primary sensor and image processing algorithms will be the deciding factors. We can assume both will offer capable photo and video recording, but the GT5 Pro’s history suggests a greater emphasis on camera features and quality.
Performance
The core battle lies between the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) in the Realme GT5 Pro and the MediaTek Dimensity 9300 (4nm) in the iQOO Neo9 Pro. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with its 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core, holds a slight clock speed advantage over the iQOO’s 1x3.25 GHz Cortex-X4. However, the Dimensity 9300 features *three* Cortex-X4 cores versus the Snapdragon’s single core, potentially offering benefits in multi-threaded workloads. Both chips are built on a 4nm process, ensuring good efficiency. The GT5 Pro’s thermal management will be crucial to sustain peak performance, while the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s Dimensity 9300 could excel in tasks that fully utilize its core configuration. Both devices likely feature LPDDR5x RAM, but specific speeds are unknown.
Battery Life
The Realme GT5 Pro offers a balanced approach with 100W wired charging (50% in 12 minutes) and 50W wireless charging. The iQOO Neo9 Pro, however, takes the lead in wired charging speed with its 120W capability (40% in 9 minutes). The GT5 Pro’s active use score of 14:16h indicates excellent battery life, suggesting efficient power management. While the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, its faster charging could offset a potentially smaller battery, providing a similar real-world experience for users who frequently top up their devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro (China) if you absolutely prioritize the fastest wired charging available and are comfortable with the potential software limitations of a China-market device. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you value a more balanced package with a proven chipset, brighter display, wireless charging, and a potentially wider global software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 9300 in the iQOO Neo9 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 9300 is a powerful chip, sustained performance depends heavily on the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s cooling system. Without detailed thermal testing, it’s difficult to say definitively, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the GT5 Pro has a proven track record of managing heat effectively, giving it a potential advantage in prolonged gaming.
❓ Is the 50W wireless charging on the Realme GT5 Pro fast enough for daily use, or is it significantly slower than wired charging?
50W wireless charging is considered fast, but it’s still slower than the 100W wired charging on the GT5 Pro. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% to take around an hour. However, it’s a convenient option for overnight charging or quick top-ups without needing a cable.
❓ Given the iQOO Neo9 Pro is a China-market device, will it receive consistent software updates and support outside of China?
Software support for China-market devices can be inconsistent outside of China. While custom ROMs are an option, official updates and features may be limited. The Realme GT5 Pro, being a more globally-focused device, is likely to receive more consistent and comprehensive software support.
