iQOO Neo9 Pro vs iQOO 12 Pro: Which Flagship Delivers the Best Value?

The iQOO Neo9 Pro and iQOO 12 Pro represent vivo’s aggressive approach to the flagship smartphone market. The Neo9 Pro, leveraging the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, offers high-end performance at a more accessible price point, while the iQOO 12 Pro, with the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, aims for uncompromising power. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the iQOO 12 Pro justifies its higher price with the significant performance uplift from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the addition of 50W wireless charging. However, the iQOO Neo9 Pro remains a compelling option for gamers and power users prioritizing value and rapid 120W wired charging.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro vivo iQOO 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, February 222023, November 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, February 22Available. Released 2023, November 14
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame-
Dimensions163.5 x 75.7 x 8.0 mm or 8.3 mm164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g or 196 g (6.70 oz)205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz)
Display
ProtectionSchott Xensation Up-
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 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 (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 750
OSAndroid 14, Funtouch 14Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 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, HDRColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, ulti-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF
Video8K@30fps, 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1"16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
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 Lossless5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 50% in 11 min Reverse wired120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 5160 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsFiery Red, Conqueror BlackBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)
ModelsI2304V2329A
Price-About 650 EUR

vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro

  • More affordable price point
  • Extremely fast 120W wired charging
  • Excellent performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

  • Lacks wireless charging
  • Potentially less advanced camera system

vivo iQOO 12 Pro

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless
  • Likely more advanced camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • May run hotter under sustained load

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays (based on iQOO’s typical offerings), specific details like peak brightness and panel technology are missing. However, the iQOO 12 Pro’s positioning suggests a potentially brighter and more color-accurate display. The Neo9 Pro’s focus on value might mean a slightly less advanced panel, but still excellent for everyday use. Both will likely feature similar resolutions, aiming for sharp visuals.

Camera Comparison

Without specific camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison. However, the iQOO 12 Pro, as the flagship, is expected to feature a more advanced camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and improved image stabilization. The Neo9 Pro will likely offer a capable camera setup, but may compromise on sensor size or lens quality to maintain its lower price point. Image processing algorithms will also play a role, with the 12 Pro potentially offering more sophisticated features like enhanced night mode and portrait capabilities.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO 12 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) boasts a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.3 GHz, a step up from the Neo9 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) and its 3.2 GHz Cortex-X3. The Gen 3 also features improved Cortex-A720 cores, offering better sustained performance and efficiency. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and higher frame rates in demanding games. The iQOO 12 Pro’s LPDDR5x RAM will further enhance performance, while thermal management will be crucial to prevent throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both phones support 120W wired charging, promising incredibly fast top-ups. The Neo9 Pro claims a 50% charge in 11 minutes, and the 12 Pro should achieve similar speeds. However, the iQOO 12 Pro adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, providing greater flexibility. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the 12 Pro’s wireless charging capabilities suggest a slightly larger battery to accommodate the power draw.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro if you need a powerful gaming experience without breaking the bank, and prioritize the fastest possible wired charging. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you demand the absolute best performance available in an Android phone, value the convenience of wireless charging, and are willing to pay a premium for the latest Snapdragon chipset.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the iQOO 12 Pro significantly improve gaming performance compared to the Neo9 Pro?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers a substantial performance uplift over the 8 Gen 2, particularly in graphics processing. Expect higher and more stable frame rates in demanding games, especially at higher settings. The improved CPU architecture also contributes to smoother multitasking while gaming.
❓ Is the lack of wireless charging on the iQOO Neo9 Pro a dealbreaker for most users?
It depends on your charging habits. If you frequently use wireless chargers, the lack of this feature on the Neo9 Pro will be noticeable. However, the incredibly fast 120W wired charging mitigates this somewhat, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. If you primarily charge overnight, it may not be a significant issue.
❓ How does the thermal management differ between the iQOO Neo9 Pro and iQOO 12 Pro under sustained gaming loads?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is known to run warmer than the 8 Gen 2. While iQOO likely implements robust cooling solutions in both devices, the 12 Pro may experience more noticeable throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Neo9 Pro, with its less powerful chipset, should maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.