Both the vivo iQOO Pro 5G and the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G represent a fascinating point in smartphone history – the early adoption of 5G technology paired with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855+ chipset. Released around the same time, they targeted similar audiences seeking high performance and future-proof connectivity, but diverged in their approach to features like charging and wireless capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and wireless convenience, the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G emerges as the winner. Its 40W wired, 30W wireless, and 10W reverse wireless charging capabilities offer a more versatile charging ecosystem, offsetting the iQOO Pro 5G’s slightly faster 44W wired charging. However, gamers may prefer the iQOO Pro 5G’s focus on raw performance.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 41 - China |
| 5G bands | 41, 78 NSA | 41, 78, 79 NSA |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL) |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, August. Released 2019, September | 2019, September. Released 2019, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame (7000 series) |
| Dimensions | 158.8 x 75.7 x 9.3 mm (6.25 x 2.98 x 0.37 in) | 157.2 x 74.6 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 217 g (7.65 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.41 inches, 100.9 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) | Adreno 640 (700 MHz) |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, MIUI 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.0 | UFS 3.0 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
12 MP, f/2.2, 54mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm, AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@1920fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.28µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 32-bit/192kHz audio
| - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 40W wired, QC4
30W wireless
10W reverse wireless |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Dream White, Titanium Black |
| Models | V1916A, V1916T | - |
| Price | About 500 EUR | About 600 EUR |
vivo iQOO Pro 5G
- Faster 44W wired charging
- Potentially optimized for gaming performance
- Likely robust thermal management
- Lacks wireless charging
- No reverse wireless charging
- Slightly lower CPU clock speed
Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G
- 30W wireless charging
- 10W reverse wireless charging
- QC4 support for wider charger compatibility
- Slightly slower 40W wired charging
- Potentially less aggressive thermal design
- May prioritize image saturation over accuracy
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high-quality AMOLED displays (specific details are missing), the focus here is on charging and performance. The absence of display specs prevents a detailed comparison of brightness, color accuracy, or refresh rates. However, given the flagship positioning, both would have offered vibrant and sharp visuals. The iQOO Pro 5G’s marketing often emphasized gaming, suggesting a potentially higher refresh rate panel, but this is unconfirmed.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are unavailable. However, given the era and flagship status, both phones likely featured multi-camera setups with a primary sensor capable of producing high-quality images. The absence of sensor size or aperture information makes a direct comparison impossible. Image processing styles would likely differ – Xiaomi often leans towards more saturated colors, while vivo tends towards a more natural look. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) would be a key differentiator for video recording quality, but this is unconfirmed for either device.
Performance
Both the iQOO Pro 5G and Mi 9 Pro 5G are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), but the Mi 9 Pro 5G boasts a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed – 2.96 GHz versus 2.84 GHz on the iQOO Pro 5G. While this 0.12 GHz difference is unlikely to be noticeable in most everyday tasks, it *could* translate to marginally faster processing in CPU-intensive applications. Both utilize an octa-core configuration (1x prime core, 3x performance cores, and 4x efficiency cores). The RAM configuration is not specified, but both would likely have offered LPDDR4X RAM, impacting memory bandwidth and overall system responsiveness. Thermal management will be crucial for sustained performance, and the iQOO Pro 5G’s gaming focus suggests a more robust cooling solution.
Battery Life
The iQOO Pro 5G features 44W wired charging, while the Mi 9 Pro 5G offers 40W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support. The Mi 9 Pro 5G significantly expands charging options with 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging. While the iQOO Pro 5G charges slightly faster via wire, the Mi 9 Pro 5G’s wireless charging capabilities provide unparalleled convenience. The battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the charging speeds suggest both would offer all-day battery life under moderate usage. The Mi 9 Pro 5G’s reverse wireless charging allows it to act as a portable power bank for other devices, a feature absent on the iQOO Pro 5G.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Pro 5G if you prioritize maximizing sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming and need the fastest possible wired charging. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G if you value a more complete charging solution, including wireless and reverse wireless charging, and appreciate the added convenience of those features. Both phones offer excellent performance for everyday use, so the decision hinges on these specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 855+ in either phone struggle with sustained gaming performance?
The Snapdragon 855+ is a capable chipset, but it can throttle under prolonged heavy load. The iQOO Pro 5G, with its gaming focus, likely incorporates a more advanced cooling system to mitigate throttling, potentially offering a more consistent gaming experience than the Mi 9 Pro 5G. However, both phones will likely experience some performance reduction during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the 10W reverse wireless charging on the Mi 9 Pro 5G actually useful?
While 10W isn't incredibly fast, the reverse wireless charging on the Mi 9 Pro 5G is surprisingly practical for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches. It's not a replacement for a dedicated charger, but it's a convenient feature for emergency situations or when traveling.
❓ Which phone is better for users who frequently travel and rely on wireless charging?
The Xiaomi Mi 9 Pro 5G is the clear winner for frequent travelers. Its 30W wireless charging capability eliminates the need to carry cables and adapters, making it ideal for charging in hotels, airports, or cafes.
