The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z6 and Realme 9 Pro+ represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity and solid performance without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches: the iQOO Z6 prioritizes efficiency with a Snapdragon 695, while the Realme 9 Pro+ aims for raw power with a MediaTek Dimensity 920. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a more powerful processor for demanding tasks, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the better choice. Its Dimensity 920 offers a noticeable performance uplift, and the 60W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the iQOO Z6 remains a strong contender for those valuing efficiency and a lower price point.
| 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 | 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE-A, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 16 | 2022, February 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Available. Released 2022, February 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 182 g (6.42 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-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, 26mm (wide), 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 | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised) |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dynamo Black, Chromatic Blue | Midnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition |
| Models | I2127 | RMX3392, RMX3393 |
| Price | About 190 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
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Significantly slower 18W charging
- Less powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps
- Limited display information
Realme 9 Pro+
- Faster and more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset
- Ultra-fast 60W charging (0-100% in 44 mins)
- Longer endurance rating (117h)
- Potentially lower battery efficiency due to more powerful processor
- Likely higher price point
- Display specs are limited
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an unspecified 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a VA-type panel optimized for deep blacks. While the iQOO Z6’s display specifications are absent, Realme’s marketing emphasizes visual fidelity. The lack of detailed display specs for the iQOO Z6 makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Realme 9 Pro+ likely offers a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience, assuming a higher peak brightness and wider color gamut. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests standard refresh rate management, impacting battery consumption during dynamic content.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but the Realme 9 Pro+ likely holds an advantage due to its positioning as a more premium device. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Realme 9 Pro+’s image processing capabilities, driven by the more powerful chipset, are expected to be superior. The iQOO Z6 will likely offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, but may struggle in low-light scenarios. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; focusing on the main sensor’s quality is more important. Without sensor size information, a definitive camera comparison is impossible, but the Realme 9 Pro+’s processing power suggests better dynamic range and detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 920 (6nm) features a more powerful CPU configuration – 2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 cores versus the iQOO Z6’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The Dimensity 920’s Mali-G68 MC4 GPU also provides a significant advantage in graphics-intensive tasks like gaming. While the Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is efficient, it’s geared towards providing a stable experience rather than pushing performance boundaries. The iQOO Z6 may struggle with graphically demanding titles at higher settings, whereas the Realme 9 Pro+ should handle them with greater ease. RAM speed is not specified for either device, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging is a game-changer, advertised to reach 100% in just 44 minutes. This is a substantial improvement over the iQOO Z6’s 18W charging, which will take considerably longer to fully replenish the battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Realme 9 Pro+ mitigates any potential disadvantage from a smaller battery size. The Realme 9 Pro+’s endurance rating of 117 hours suggests optimized power management, further enhancing its usability throughout the day. The iQOO Z6, while potentially offering comparable battery life due to the more efficient Snapdragon 695, will require significantly more time to recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z6 if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and are on a tighter budget. It’s ideal for casual users, students, or anyone who prioritizes efficiency over peak performance. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prefer a phone capable of handling demanding games, benefit from significantly faster charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more premium experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ tend to overheat during prolonged 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, sustained gaming at maximum settings will inevitably generate heat. Expect some throttling, but it shouldn't be severe enough to render the phone unusable. The iQOO Z6's Snapdragon 695 will generate less heat, but also offer lower peak performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the iQOO Z6 slow enough to be a major inconvenience in daily use?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+. While it will still charge overnight, topping up quickly during the day will take significantly longer. If you frequently find yourself needing a quick boost of power, the iQOO Z6’s charging speed will likely be a frustrating limitation.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 695's 5G performance compare to the Dimensity 920 in real-world scenarios?
Both chipsets support 5G connectivity, but the Dimensity 920 generally offers faster download and upload speeds due to its more advanced modem. However, 5G performance is also heavily dependent on network availability and carrier support. In most areas, the difference may not be immediately noticeable, but users in areas with strong 5G coverage will likely see a benefit with the Realme 9 Pro+.
