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

Both the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro and the OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$500 smartphone market. Both leverage the power of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, but diverge in their approach to battery technology and charging speeds, creating a clear distinction for potential buyers. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing the fastest possible charging and a slightly more aggressive performance profile, the iQOO Neo9 Pro is the winner. However, the OnePlus 12R’s exceptional battery life, demonstrated by its 14:32 active use score, makes it a strong contender for those who value longevity over rapid top-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro 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, 18, 19, 26, 28, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, February 222024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, February 22Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.5 x 75.7 x 8.0 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
ProtectionSchott Xensation UpCorning 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), 3000 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)-
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@30fps, 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), 1/3.1"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
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDSGPS, 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-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-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, 50% in 11 min Reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeLi-Po 5160 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsFiery Red, Conqueror BlackIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsI2304CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
Price-€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W charging for minimal downtime
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers flagship-level performance
  • Reverse wired charging adds versatility

  • Battery life data unavailable, potentially lower than OnePlus 12R
  • Thermal management performance needs further evaluation

OnePlus 12R

  • Exceptional 14:32 hour active use battery life
  • High peak brightness (1181 nits) for outdoor visibility
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides excellent performance

  • Slower 100W charging compared to iQOO Neo9 Pro
  • Lacks reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

While both phones are expected to offer high-quality displays, the OnePlus 12R boasts a measured peak brightness of 1181 nits. This suggests a superior viewing experience in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Neo9 Pro, for which brightness data is currently unavailable. The absence of LTPO technology in either device indicates a standard refresh rate implementation, potentially impacting power consumption during dynamic content viewing. Further analysis would require detailed color accuracy and panel type information.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks specific camera details for both devices. Given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to expect both phones to feature multi-camera systems, but the quality will depend on sensor size, lens apertures, and image processing algorithms. Without this information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, focusing on the main sensor resolution and optical image stabilization (OIS) would be key differentiators. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall image quality.

Performance

Both the iQOO Neo9 Pro and OnePlus 12R are powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset, featuring the same Octa-core CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510). This means raw processing power will be nearly identical. However, the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s thermal management system, which is not detailed in the provided data, will be crucial in sustaining peak performance during extended gaming sessions. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inherently offers improved thermal efficiency compared to older nodes, mitigating throttling risks on both devices.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R distinguishes itself with a remarkable 14:32 hour active use score, indicating exceptional battery endurance. While the iQOO Neo9 Pro doesn’t have a comparable usage score, it compensates with significantly faster 120W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in just 11 minutes. The OnePlus 12R takes 26 minutes to reach 100%, highlighting the trade-off between charging speed and overall battery capacity. The iQOO Neo9 Pro also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the provided OnePlus 12R specifications.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro if you are a power user who frequently depletes their battery and needs the convenience of 120W fast charging to get back up and running quickly. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life and prefer a more balanced approach to performance and efficiency, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ How does the 120W charging on the iQOO Neo9 Pro affect the long-term battery health?
While 120W charging is incredibly fast, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging management systems to mitigate potential battery degradation. The iQOO Neo9 Pro likely utilizes these technologies, but long-term testing is needed to assess the actual impact on battery lifespan. It's generally recommended to avoid consistently charging to 100% and letting the battery drain completely to maximize longevity.
❓ Is the OnePlus 12R’s battery life sufficient for heavy gaming and video streaming?
The OnePlus 12R’s 14:32 hour active use score suggests excellent battery life, even under demanding workloads. While heavy gaming and video streaming will naturally reduce battery life, the phone’s large capacity and efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset should provide several hours of uninterrupted use. However, specific gaming performance will depend on game settings and graphics quality.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
Neither the provided specifications nor typical market positioning for these devices suggest microSD card support. Users should carefully consider their storage needs and choose a model with sufficient internal storage capacity.