The iQOO Z9 Turbo and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO aggressively targets gamers and performance enthusiasts with a flagship-adjacent chipset, while the Galaxy A55 aims for a more balanced experience with a focus on battery life, display quality, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and fast charging, the iQOO Z9 Turbo is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers significantly more processing power. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 excels in battery endurance and offers a more polished, all-around experience for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm (6.34 x 3.05 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) |
| Weight | 194.9 g (6.88 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, OriginOS 4 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired
7.5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Mint, White | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | V2352A | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | About 260 EUR | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo
- Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
- Ultra-fast 80W wired charging
- Potentially higher gaming performance
- Battery life may be shorter than the A55
- Camera details are currently unknown
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Excellent battery life (13:27h active use)
- Bright and color-accurate display (1010 nits)
- Refined software experience (One UI)
- Slower processor (Exynos 1480)
- Slower 25W charging
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1010 nits, providing excellent visibility outdoors. While the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s Super AMOLED panel is known for its vibrant colors and contrast. The A55’s brightness advantage is significant, especially for HDR content consumption. The A55 likely utilizes a higher PWM dimming rate, potentially making it a better choice for users sensitive to screen flicker, a detail not available for the iQOO.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z9 Turbo, a direct comparison is limited. However, Samsung typically excels in image processing, and the A55 likely benefits from this. The A55’s image processing prioritizes natural colors and dynamic range. We can assume the iQOO will focus on a different aesthetic, potentially leaning towards more vibrant, saturated images. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and OIS on the iQOO makes it difficult to assess its low-light capabilities relative to the A55. It's safe to assume the A55's camera system is more refined and consistent.
Performance
The iQOO Z9 Turbo’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is the star here. Its Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz provides a substantial performance uplift compared to the Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 (4nm). The Exynos 1480’s Cortex-A78 cores, while capable, are architecturally older and clocked lower at 2.75 GHz. This translates to a noticeable advantage for the iQOO in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. The 4nm process node in both chips contributes to improved thermal efficiency, but the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s more modern architecture likely results in better sustained performance under load. The iQOO’s potential for higher RAM speeds (likely LPDDR5X) further enhances its performance edge.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55’s active use score of 13:27h demonstrates excellent battery life. While the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s battery capacity is unknown, its 80W wired charging is a significant advantage over the A55’s 25W charging. This means the iQOO can replenish its battery much faster, mitigating any potential capacity disadvantage. The iQOO’s faster charging is particularly beneficial for gamers who need to quickly top up their battery between sessions. The A55 prioritizes longevity, while the iQOO prioritizes convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo if you need uncompromising gaming performance, incredibly fast 80W charging, and don't mind potentially shorter battery life. You're a power user who values speed above all else. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a longer-lasting battery, a brighter and more color-accurate display, and the familiarity of Samsung’s One UI software. You prioritize a smooth, reliable experience over peak performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1480 is a relatively efficient chip, and Samsung’s thermal management is generally good. While it may experience some throttling during extended, demanding gaming, it’s unlikely to overheat to the point of causing performance issues or discomfort. However, the iQOO Z9 Turbo’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, with its more advanced architecture, is better equipped to handle sustained loads.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the iQOO Z9 Turbo with its 80W charging?
With 80W wired charging, the iQOO Z9 Turbo is expected to charge from 0-100% in approximately 30-40 minutes, significantly faster than the Galaxy A55’s 25W charging. This rapid charging capability is a major advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Exynos 1480 noticeable in everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, when launching demanding apps, multitasking, or editing photos/videos, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s superior processing power will provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A55 support software updates for a longer period than the iQOO Z9 Turbo?
Samsung typically provides longer software support for its Galaxy A-series devices compared to iQOO. You can expect at least 4 years of major Android updates and 5 years of security patches on the A55, while iQOO’s support commitment is generally shorter.
