The iQOO Z9 and Honor 100 Pro represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-to-high range smartphone market. The iQOO Z9 focuses on delivering strong performance at a more accessible price point, while the Honor 100 Pro aims for a more premium experience with a flagship-tier chipset and advanced charging capabilities. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Honor 100 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset provides a significant leap in processing power and graphics capabilities compared to the iQOO Z9’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3. However, the iQOO Z9 offers excellent value for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | LTE |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2023, November 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2023, November 23 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.9 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 163.7 x 74.7 x 8.2 mm or 8.5 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194.6 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 1224 x 2700 pixels (~437 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~91.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak) | OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 2600 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 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) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 720 | Adreno 740 |
| OS | Android 14, OriginOS 4 | Android 13, MagicOS 7.2 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
32 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 2.5x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/2.0
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| 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/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, ultrasound proximity |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired
7.5W reverse wired | 100W wired, 50% in 10 min
66W wireless, 100% in 42 min
5W reverse wired
Reverse wireless |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, White, Green | Black, Silver, Blue, Violet |
| Models | V2361A | MAA-AN10 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 440 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z9 (China)
- More affordable price point
- Solid performance for everyday tasks
- 80W fast wired charging
- Less powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset
- No wireless charging support
Honor 100 Pro
- Flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
- 100W wired and 66W wireless charging
- Superior image processing capabilities
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more heat generation under sustained load
Display Comparison
While both devices likely feature high-refresh-rate AMOLED displays (data not provided), the core difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Honor 100 Pro, with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, will handle graphically intensive tasks and high-refresh-rate gaming more smoothly. The iQOO Z9’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is still capable, but will exhibit more frame drops in demanding scenarios. Without display specs, we can assume the Honor 100 Pro, being the more premium device, likely boasts higher peak brightness and potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, improving battery efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the Honor 100 Pro’s flagship positioning suggests a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the 8 Gen 2’s image signal processor (ISP) offers superior image processing capabilities, resulting in better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The iQOO Z9 will likely deliver respectable photos, but the Honor 100 Pro is expected to excel in challenging lighting conditions and offer more advanced features like improved video stabilization.
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Honor 100 Pro is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 found in the iQOO Z9. The 8 Gen 2’s Cortex-X3 prime core, clocked at 3.2 GHz, offers significantly higher single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and UI navigation. The 7 Gen 3’s Cortex-A715 cores, while efficient, cannot match the raw power of the 8 Gen 2’s architecture. The 4nm process node is shared between both chips, but the 8 Gen 2’s larger cache and more powerful GPU translate to a demonstrably superior gaming experience. The Honor 100 Pro will maintain higher frame rates and visual fidelity in demanding titles.
Battery Life
The Honor 100 Pro’s charging capabilities are a significant advantage. Its 100W wired charging can replenish the battery to 50% in just 10 minutes, while the iQOO Z9’s 80W charging is slower. Furthermore, the Honor 100 Pro adds 66W wireless charging, a feature absent on the iQOO Z9. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speeds of the Honor 100 Pro mitigate any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The inclusion of reverse wireless charging on the Honor 100 Pro adds further convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 (China) if you need a capable daily driver with solid performance for everyday tasks and light gaming, and prioritize value for money. Buy the Honor 100 Pro if you prefer a smoother experience with demanding applications, enjoy mobile gaming at higher settings, and value the convenience of faster wired and wireless charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in the iQOO Z9 struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the iQOO Z9 can run Genshin Impact, you’ll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 is capable, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Honor 100 Pro will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more stable performance.
❓ How much faster is the 100W charging on the Honor 100 Pro compared to the 80W charging on the iQOO Z9 in real-world use?
The Honor 100 Pro’s 100W charging can get you from 0% to 50% in approximately 10 minutes, while the iQOO Z9’s 80W charging will take considerably longer. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the Honor 100 Pro get noticeably hotter than the iQOO Z9 during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is a more powerful chip and therefore generates more heat under sustained load. While Honor likely implements thermal management solutions, the 100 Pro may get warmer than the iQOO Z9 during prolonged gaming. However, this increased heat is a trade-off for the significantly improved performance.
