The iQOO Neo9 Pro and Realme GT5 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive flagship smartphone space. The Neo9 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, aims for a balance of performance and value, while the GT5 Pro, with the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, targets peak performance and a premium experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT5 Pro emerges as the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset delivers a noticeable performance uplift, and the 1660 nits peak brightness provides a significantly better viewing experience. While the iQOO Neo9 Pro offers faster 120W charging, the GT5 Pro’s longer battery life and overall refinement make it the winner.
| 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, 18, 19, 26, 28, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, February 22 | 2023, December 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, February 22 | Available. Released 2023, December 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame | Glass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.5 x 75.7 x 8.0 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 |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation Up | - |
| 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), 3000 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 4500 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 740 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, upgradable to Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) | - |
| 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@30fps, 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), 1/3.1" | 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes, 360˚ |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS | 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 Direct | 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, 50% in 11 min
Reverse wired | 100W wired, 50% in 12 min
50W wireless |
| Type | Li-Po 5160 mAh | Li-Ion 5400 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fiery Red, Conqueror Black | Black, Silver, Orange |
| Models | I2304 | RMX3888 |
| Price | - | About 430 EUR |
vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro
- Faster 120W wired charging
- Potentially lower price point
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 still offers excellent performance
- Likely inferior display brightness
- Less powerful chipset than the GT5 Pro
- Missing wireless charging
Realme GT5 Pro
- More powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- Significantly brighter 1660 nits display
- Longer battery life (14:16h active use)
- Slower 100W wired charging
- Potentially higher price
- No detailed camera specs available
Display Comparison
The Realme GT5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1660 nits, compared to an unspecified peak brightness for the iQOO Neo9 Pro. This difference translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the GT5 Pro’s brightness advantage is a key differentiator. We expect both to offer high refresh rates, but the GT5 Pro’s brightness is a clear win for outdoor usability. The iQOO Neo9 Pro’s display specs are currently limited, making a detailed comparison of color accuracy and panel technology difficult.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are missing for both devices, but we can infer some differences. The Realme GT5 Pro is positioned as a flagship, suggesting a more sophisticated camera system. While both likely feature multiple lenses, the GT5 Pro is expected to have a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing capabilities. The iQOO Neo9 Pro, while capable, will likely prioritize value over cutting-edge camera technology. The absence of details regarding sensor sizes and OIS on both phones makes a definitive comparison impossible, but the GT5 Pro’s flagship status suggests a more robust camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Neo9 Pro features the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm), while the Realme GT5 Pro utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The Gen 3’s CPU architecture – Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.3 GHz versus the Gen 2’s X3 at 3.2 GHz – and improved Cortex-A720 performance cores provide a tangible performance boost. The GT5 Pro’s CPU configuration (1x3.3 GHz + 3x3.2 GHz + 2x3.0 GHz + 2x2.3 GHz) is optimized for sustained performance. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the GT5 Pro’s superior chipset will allow it to leverage that RAM more effectively, resulting in smoother multitasking and faster app loading times. The 4nm process node in both chips ensures reasonable thermal efficiency, but the Gen 3’s architectural improvements should lead to better sustained performance under heavy load.
Battery Life
The Realme GT5 Pro demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an active use score of 14:16h. The iQOO Neo9 Pro’s battery capacity is unspecified, but its 120W wired charging is faster than the GT5 Pro’s 100W wired charging, achieving 50% charge in 11 minutes versus 12 minutes. However, the GT5 Pro also offers 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the iQOO Neo9 Pro. The longer battery life of the GT5 Pro, combined with the convenience of wireless charging, outweighs the slightly faster wired charging speed of the Neo9 Pro for most users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro if you prioritize extremely fast charging and are looking for a high-performance device at a potentially lower price point. It’s ideal for users who frequently top up their phones and demand quick power boosts. Buy the Realme GT5 Pro if you value peak performance, a brighter and more vibrant display, and longer battery life. This phone is geared towards power users, gamers, and those who demand the best possible Android experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Realme GT5 Pro get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the iQOO Neo9 Pro during extended gaming sessions?
While both chips are built on a 4nm process, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is more powerful and therefore generates more heat under sustained load. However, Realme typically implements robust cooling solutions in their 'GT' series, suggesting the GT5 Pro will manage thermal throttling effectively. The iQOO Neo9 Pro will likely run cooler, but at the cost of peak performance.
❓ Is the 100W charging on the Realme GT5 Pro significantly slower in real-world use compared to the iQOO Neo9 Pro’s 120W charging?
The difference of 20W in wired charging speed is noticeable, but not dramatically so. Both phones reach 50% charge in around 11-12 minutes. The GT5 Pro’s advantage lies in its 50W wireless charging, which the iQOO Neo9 Pro lacks. For users who frequently use wireless charging, this is a significant benefit.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs, what can we expect from the Realme GT5 Pro’s camera system?
Considering the GT5 Pro’s flagship positioning, we anticipate a multi-camera setup with a large main sensor, optical image stabilization (OIS), and advanced image processing algorithms. It will likely excel in low-light photography and offer versatile shooting options, potentially including 8K video recording. Expect a focus on detail and dynamic range.
