vivo iQOO Z9 vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+: Which Mid-Range Champion Reigns Supreme?

The vivo iQOO Z9 (China) and Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO Z9 focuses on delivering strong performance with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ prioritizes rapid charging and a bright display powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around usability and rapid replenishment, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ emerges as the winner. Its 120W charging and brighter display offer tangible benefits, outweighing the iQOO Z9’s slightly more efficient chipset. However, gamers on a budget should consider the iQOO Z9.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z9 (China) Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA- International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, April 242023, September 21
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 29Available. Released 2023, September 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather)
Dimensions163.7 x 75.9 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)161.4 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.35 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194.6 g (6.88 oz)199 g or 204.5 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1220 x 2712 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~446 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak)AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, 1920Hz PWM, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.63 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7550-AB Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7200 Ultra (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 720Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 13, up to 3 major Android upgrades, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS4K@24/30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, 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, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired 7.5W reverse wired120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, GreenMidnight Black (Fushion Black), Moonlight White (Fushion White), Aurora Purple, Fushion Purple, Camo Green
ModelsV2361A23090RA98C, 23090RA98G, 23090RA98I
PriceAbout 190 EUR$ 299.98 / £ 299.00 / € 208.98 / ₹ 24,999
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.85 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.98 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Z9 (China)

  • Potentially better thermal management due to Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s core configuration.
  • 7.5W reverse wired charging for topping up accessories.
  • Strong performance for the price.

  • Slower charging speed (80W vs 120W).
  • Likely lower peak display brightness.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+

  • Ultra-fast 120W charging (0-100% in 19 minutes).
  • Brighter display (1283 nits) for outdoor visibility.
  • Excellent battery life (10:38h active use).

  • Potentially less efficient CPU architecture.
  • No reverse wireless charging.

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1283 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z9 (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this price bracket). While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display’s brightness impacts the overall user experience, especially for media consumption. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ likely employs a higher-quality panel, contributing to better color accuracy and viewing angles, though detailed panel technology (LTPO, PWM) is not specified in the provided data.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is likely to feature a more sophisticated camera system, given Xiaomi’s emphasis on camera technology in the Note series. The absence of sensor details for both phones necessitates caution, but the Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s brand positioning suggests a greater investment in image processing and potentially larger sensor sizes. We can assume both phones will have a primary camera, ultrawide, and macro, but the quality will vary significantly.

Performance

Both phones utilize 4nm chipsets, but the architectures differ. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra features 2x Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 2.8 GHz, offering a theoretical single-core performance advantage over the iQOO Z9’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which has 1x Cortex-A715 at 2.63 GHz. However, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3’s more efficient core configuration (1+4+3) may translate to better sustained performance and thermal management during prolonged gaming. The iQOO Z9’s CPU configuration suggests a focus on balancing performance and power consumption.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 13 Pro+’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 19 minutes. This is a substantial advantage over the iQOO Z9’s 80W charging. While the iQOO Z9 offers 7.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+, the faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ is more impactful for most users. The Redmi Note 13 Pro+ also boasts an active use score of 10:38h, indicating excellent battery life despite the faster charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 (China) if you need a phone optimized for sustained gaming sessions and value thermal efficiency over absolute peak performance. Its Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 offers a strong balance of power and efficiency. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ if you prefer a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and absolutely need the fastest possible charging speeds – getting you from 0 to 100% in under 20 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Ultra in the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ tend to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 7200 Ultra is a capable chipset, thermal throttling can occur during prolonged, graphically intensive gaming. However, Xiaomi typically implements effective cooling solutions in the Note series, mitigating this issue. Real-world performance will depend on ambient temperature and game settings.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the iQOO Z9 fast enough for daily use, or is the 120W on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ a necessity?
80W charging is still considered fast and will replenish the battery adequately for most users. However, the 120W charging on the Redmi Note 13 Pro+ offers a significantly faster top-up, reducing downtime and providing greater convenience, especially for users who frequently run low on battery.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3's CPU core configuration impact gaming performance on the iQOO Z9?
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3's 1+4+3 core configuration prioritizes a balance between peak performance and power efficiency. The single high-performance Cortex-A715 core handles demanding tasks, while the four Cortex-A715 and three Cortex-A510 cores manage background processes and less intensive workloads, potentially leading to more consistent frame rates during gaming.