iQOO Neo9 vs Poco F5 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The iQOO Neo9 and Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-to-high range smartphone market. The Neo9 arrives with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, promising a significant performance leap, while the F5 Pro leverages the proven Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and focuses on delivering a well-rounded experience with a strong emphasis on battery endurance and fast charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the iQOO Neo9 is the clear winner thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. However, the Poco F5 Pro offers a fantastic balance of features, including excellent battery life and fast charging, making it a strong contender for those seeking value and longevity.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo9 Xiaomi Poco F5 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, December 272023, May 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, December 30Available. Released 2023, May
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions163.5 x 75.7 x 8 mm or 8.3 mm162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g or 196 g (6.70 oz)204 g (7.20 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 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 (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 740Adreno 730
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 13, upgradable to Android 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 -UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K, 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers (closed type)Yes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
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, 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 wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min 30W wireless, 50% in 32 min
Type5160 mAhLi-Po 5160 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, RedBlack, White
ModelsV2338A23013PC75G
PriceAbout 290 EUR$ 449.99 / € 241.85
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.00 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life-Endurance rating 99h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.2 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9) GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6) GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Neo9

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor for top-tier performance
  • Ultra-fast 120W wired charging
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Battery life potentially lower than Poco F5 Pro due to more powerful processor
  • Display specifications largely unknown

Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro

  • Excellent battery life (99h endurance rating)
  • Versatile charging options (67W wired, 30W wireless)
  • Bright and well-calibrated display (1059 nits)

  • Older Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor
  • Wired charging slower than iQOO Neo9

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 Pro boasts a bright display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1059 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the iQOO Neo9’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s reasonable to expect a comparable brightness level given its positioning. Both phones feature an 'infinite' contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests a standard 120Hz refresh rate, potentially impacting power consumption compared to adaptive refresh rate displays. Bezels and color accuracy are unknown for the iQOO Neo9, but the F5 Pro’s display is generally considered to be well-calibrated.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests the Poco F5 Pro likely features a more mature camera system, potentially with better image stabilization. The iQOO Neo9’s newer chipset *could* offer improved image signal processing (ISP) capabilities, leading to better low-light performance and dynamic range, but this is speculative without further data. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this price range is often a marketing gimmick and unlikely to significantly impact image quality.

Performance

The iQOO Neo9’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) represents a substantial upgrade over the Poco F5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm). The Gen 2 features a newer CPU architecture – Cortex-X3 vs Cortex-X2 – and higher clock speeds (3.2GHz vs 3.0GHz), translating to faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The Neo9’s CPU configuration (1+2+2+3) is also more balanced than the F5 Pro’s (1+3+4). While both chipsets are built on a 4nm process, the architectural improvements in the Gen 2 offer better thermal efficiency, potentially leading to less throttling during sustained workloads. The iQOO Neo9 will likely excel in demanding tasks like video editing and high-end gaming.

Battery Life

The Poco F5 Pro’s endurance rating of 99 hours suggests excellent battery life, despite not specifying the battery capacity. The iQOO Neo9’s battery capacity is unknown, but its more powerful processor will likely consume more power. The F5 Pro offers versatile charging options: 67W wired (50% in 15 minutes), 30W wireless (50% in 32 minutes), and PD3.0/QC3+ support. The iQOO Neo9 counters with an impressive 120W wired charging (40% in 9 minutes) and reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices. While the F5 Pro’s wireless charging is a convenience, the Neo9’s significantly faster wired charging could be a deciding factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo9 if you demand the absolute best Android gaming performance and want a phone that will remain powerful for years to come. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you prioritize all-day battery life, fast charging speeds (including wireless), and a more balanced overall experience without sacrificing significant performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While not the latest and greatest, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is still a very capable chipset. The Poco F5 Pro can handle Genshin Impact at high settings, though you might experience some frame drops during intense combat scenarios. Optimizing game settings and utilizing the phone’s cooling system will help maintain stable performance.
❓ How much faster is the 120W charging on the iQOO Neo9 compared to the 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro in real-world use?
The iQOO Neo9’s 120W charging is significantly faster. While the Poco F5 Pro takes 15 minutes to reach 50%, the Neo9 reaches 40% in the same timeframe. A full charge on the Neo9 will be considerably quicker, making it ideal for users who need to rapidly replenish their battery.
❓ Does the Poco F5 Pro support any form of video recording stabilization?
While not explicitly stated, the Poco F5 Pro likely includes Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for video recording. The quality of EIS varies, but it should help reduce camera shake and produce smoother videos. The iQOO Neo9's stabilization capabilities are unknown.