iQOO Z9 Turbo vs OnePlus 12R: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The iQOO Z9 Turbo and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-to-high range smartphone market. The iQOO Z9 Turbo arrives with the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, aiming for raw performance dominance, while the OnePlus 12R leverages the established Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and focuses on a well-rounded experience with a larger battery and faster charging. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and rapid charging, the OnePlus 12R is the better choice. However, gamers and power users who demand the latest processing power and are willing to compromise slightly on battery will find the iQOO Z9 Turbo a more compelling option.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, April 242024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, April 29Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194.9 g (6.88 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 735Adreno 740
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)-
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
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, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired 7.5W reverse wired100W wired, 100% in 26 min
Type6000 mAhLi-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Mint, WhiteIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsV2352ACPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 260 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo

  • Latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset for superior gaming
  • Potentially more efficient CPU architecture
  • Competitive price point for the performance offered

  • Battery life likely shorter than OnePlus 12R
  • Slower charging speed (80W vs 100W)
  • Camera specifications unknown, potentially less refined

OnePlus 12R

  • Exceptional battery life (14:32h active use)
  • Ultra-fast 100W charging (0-100% in 26 minutes)
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Older Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • May not match iQOO Z9 Turbo in peak gaming performance
  • Potentially higher price compared to iQOO Z9 Turbo

Display Comparison

The OnePlus 12R boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1181 nits, which translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s display specifications aren’t provided, OnePlus’s panel offers a significant advantage in outdoor scenarios. Both likely utilize AMOLED technology, but the OnePlus 12R’s brightness and potential for higher color accuracy give it an edge for multimedia consumption. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests a standard 120Hz refresh rate, impacting power consumption compared to adaptive refresh rate displays.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z9 Turbo, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its focus on performance, it’s likely the OnePlus 12R will offer a more refined camera experience. The OnePlus 12R likely features a larger main sensor and more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of information regarding OIS on the iQOO Z9 Turbo suggests the OnePlus 12R may have an advantage in low-light photography and video stabilization. We can assume both phones will have a standard ultrawide and macro lens, but the quality will depend on the sensor and software processing.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Z9 Turbo’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, while the OnePlus 12R utilizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) with a Cortex-X3 prime core at 3.2 GHz. While the 8 Gen 2 has a slightly higher clocked prime core, the 8s Gen 3’s newer architecture and optimizations may close the gap in real-world performance. The OnePlus 12R’s CPU configuration (1x3.2GHz, 2x2.8GHz, 2x2.8GHz, 3x2.0GHz) is slightly different from the iQOO’s (1x3.0GHz, 4x2.8GHz, 3x2.0GHz), potentially impacting multi-core performance. Both devices likely feature LPDDR5x RAM, but the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s newer chipset may benefit from improved memory controller efficiency.

Battery Life

The OnePlus 12R excels in battery and charging. Its active use score of 14:32h demonstrates impressive endurance. The 100W wired charging capability replenishes the battery to 100% in just 26 minutes, minimizing downtime. The iQOO Z9 Turbo offers 80W wired charging, which is still fast, but noticeably slower than the OnePlus 12R. While the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the OnePlus 12R’s longer battery life suggests a more efficient combination of hardware and software optimization.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo if you need uncompromising gaming performance and are willing to top up the battery more frequently. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a noticeable edge in demanding tasks. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prefer a balanced experience with exceptional battery endurance, incredibly fast 100W charging, and a consistently smooth user interface, making it ideal for everyday use and media consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the iQOO Z9 Turbo throttle during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3's 4nm process and potential thermal management optimizations should mitigate throttling, but sustained high performance will inevitably generate heat. The iQOO Z9 Turbo's cooling solution will be crucial in maintaining consistent performance during long gaming sessions. Without specific details on the cooling system, it's difficult to predict the extent of throttling.
❓ How does the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R compare to other fast charging solutions?
100W charging is among the fastest currently available on smartphones. The OnePlus 12R's 26-minute 0-100% charge time is significantly quicker than most 65W or 80W charging solutions. This rapid charging minimizes downtime and provides a convenient top-up option for users on the go.
❓ Is the difference in CPU clock speeds (3.2 GHz vs 3.0 GHz) between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 and 8s Gen 3 significant in real-world usage?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a slightly higher peak clock speed, the architectural improvements in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, particularly in the CPU and GPU, can offset this difference. Real-world performance will depend on the specific workload and software optimization. The 8s Gen 3's newer core design may offer better efficiency and sustained performance.