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

Both the vivo iQOO Neo9 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 absolute fastest charging and a potentially more aggressive performance profile, the iQOO Neo9 is the winner. However, the OnePlus 12R counters with a demonstrably longer battery life in active use, making it the better choice for those who value endurance over peak charging speed.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo9 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, 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 (1x3.2 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, OriginOS 4Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB 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 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, 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
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c)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-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, 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
ModelsV2338ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 290 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Neo9

  • Ultra-fast 120W charging for minimal downtime
  • Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for flagship performance
  • Potentially more aggressive performance tuning

  • Battery life data is unavailable, potentially shorter than the OnePlus 12R
  • Thermal management is unknown, potential for throttling

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent battery life with 14:32h of active use
  • Bright 1181 nit display for good outdoor visibility
  • Fast 100W charging provides a good balance of speed and convenience

  • Charging speed is slower than the iQOO Neo9
  • May lack the iQOO Neo9's aggressive performance profile

Display Comparison

While both phones likely utilize AMOLED panels (data not provided), the OnePlus 12R boasts a measured peak brightness of 1181 nits. This suggests a superior outdoor visibility experience compared to the iQOO Neo9, where brightness data is absent. The absence of LTPO information for either device implies both may not dynamically adjust refresh rates for optimal power saving, though this is speculative. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown, but given the price point, we expect similar performance in these areas.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are sparse. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. We can assume both phones will feature multi-camera systems, but the quality will heavily depend on image processing algorithms and sensor capabilities. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric flagship. Any 2MP macro lenses included would likely offer limited practical benefit.

Performance

Both the iQOO Neo9 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, thermal management – a critical factor for sustained performance – is unknown for the iQOO Neo9. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 inherently offers better thermal efficiency than older nodes, but the iQOO Neo9’s aggressive charging and potential for higher sustained clock speeds could lead to more throttling under heavy load. RAM specifications are missing, but LPDDR5x is expected on both.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R shines with an active use score of 14:32h, indicating excellent battery endurance. The iQOO Neo9, while featuring incredibly fast 120W wired charging (40% in 9 minutes), lacks a comparable battery life figure. The OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging (100% in 26 minutes) is still very fast, but the iQOO Neo9’s speed is significantly higher. This trade-off is central to the decision: prioritize speed with the iQOO Neo9, or longevity with the OnePlus 12R.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 if you need blazing-fast 120W charging and are comfortable with potentially more frequent charging cycles. This phone is ideal for power users and gamers who demand immediate top-ups. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prefer all-day battery life and a more balanced approach to performance and efficiency. It’s the better option for everyday users who prioritize longevity and don’t want to be tethered to a charger.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the iQOO Neo9's 120W charging degrade the battery faster than the OnePlus 12R's 100W charging?
While faster charging generates more heat, modern smartphones employ sophisticated battery management systems to mitigate degradation. The iQOO Neo9's charging circuitry likely includes safeguards to prevent overcharging and excessive heat buildup. However, consistently using the fastest charging speeds *may* contribute to slightly faster long-term battery wear compared to the OnePlus 12R, but the difference is likely minimal for most users.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a highly capable chipset and should handle demanding games like Genshin Impact and PUBG with ease at high settings. However, sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management. The OnePlus 12R's longer battery life *could* translate to better sustained performance due to less heat generation, but this is speculative without detailed thermal testing.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs a dealbreaker for photography enthusiasts?
If you prioritize camera quality, both the iQOO Neo9 and OnePlus 12R are likely not the best choices. The absence of detailed specifications suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric device. Users seeking superior image quality should consider phones with larger sensors, optical image stabilization, and advanced image processing capabilities.