The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z6 44W and Realme 9 Pro+ represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of performance and affordability. While both devices operate within a similar price bracket, they diverge significantly in their core hardware, particularly in their chipset and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme 9 Pro+ emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 920 chipset offers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 680 in the iQOO Z6 44W, justifying the slight price premium. However, the iQOO Z6 44W remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget or prioritizing a more efficient processor.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 27 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 02 | Available. Released 2022, February 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 73.8 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | - |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 27 min | 60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lumina Blue, Raven Black | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition |
| Models | - | RMX3392, RMX3393 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | € 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999 |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.73 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9)
GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z6 44W
- Potentially better power efficiency with Snapdragon 680
- More affordable price point
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker performance compared to Dimensity 920
- Slower charging speed (44W)
- Likely less capable camera system
Realme 9 Pro+
- Superior performance with Mediatek Dimensity 920
- Faster 60W charging with PD3.0
- Likely better camera capabilities
- Excellent battery endurance (117h)
- Higher price compared to iQOO Z6 44W
- Potentially slightly less power efficient
Display Comparison
The provided data lacks detailed display specifications for either device. However, Realme typically emphasizes display quality in its 'Pro+' series, suggesting the 9 Pro+ likely features a brighter panel and potentially a higher refresh rate than the iQOO Z6 44W. The Realme 9 Pro+’s advertised ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term, but hints at good black levels. Without specific nit ratings or panel technology details (like AMOLED vs. LCD), it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Realme 9 Pro+ likely offers a more visually immersive experience.
Camera Comparison
The context data is limited regarding camera specifics. However, Realme’s ‘Pro+’ branding usually indicates a more robust camera system. Without megapixel counts or sensor sizes, it’s difficult to make a precise comparison. We can assume the Realme 9 Pro+ likely features a higher-resolution main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS), features often absent in phones at the iQOO Z6 44W’s price point. The iQOO Z6 44W will likely offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but the Realme 9 Pro+ is expected to perform better in low-light scenarios and offer more detailed images.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) boasts a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the iQOO Z6 44W’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm) with its 4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold and 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver cores. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 920 are architecturally superior, delivering significantly better single-core and multi-core performance. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience. While both are 6nm chips, the Dimensity 920’s more advanced architecture provides a clear advantage. The iQOO Z6 44W will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Realme 9 Pro+ is the clear choice for power users.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging with PD3.0 is a significant advantage, promising a full charge in just 44 minutes (advertised). The iQOO Z6 44W’s 44W charging, while respectable, is noticeably slower. The Realme 9 Pro+’s faster charging minimizes downtime, a crucial benefit for users who rely heavily on their smartphones. While the iQOO Z6 44W’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Realme 9 Pro+ effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference, making it the more convenient option for frequent users. The Realme 9 Pro+ also boasts an endurance rating of 117h, suggesting excellent battery optimization.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z6 44W if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and are primarily focused on essential tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Its Snapdragon 680 chipset is power-efficient, extending battery life. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prefer a smoother experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The Dimensity 920 provides a noticeable performance boost, and the 60W charging significantly reduces downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ get noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 920 is a powerful chip, Mediatek has made strides in thermal management. The Realme 9 Pro+ likely incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate heat buildup. However, prolonged gaming at maximum settings *may* result in some warming, which is typical for high-performance smartphones. The Snapdragon 680 in the iQOO Z6 44W will likely run cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+ safe for long-term battery health?
Yes, modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging algorithms that prevent overcharging and protect battery health. The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W charging, coupled with PD3.0, utilizes these technologies. While faster charging *can* generate more heat, the phone’s internal circuitry regulates the process to minimize any potential impact on long-term battery degradation. The iQOO Z6 44W’s slower charging will also be gentle on the battery, but the convenience of the Realme 9 Pro+’s faster charging outweighs this minor concern.
❓ Can the iQOO Z6 44W handle graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high settings?
The Snapdragon 680 in the iQOO Z6 44W can run PUBG Mobile, but you’ll likely need to compromise on graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect to play at medium or low settings for a smoother experience. The Realme 9 Pro+ with its Dimensity 920 will provide a significantly better gaming experience, allowing you to play at higher settings with fewer frame drops.
