iQOO Z9 Turbo vs iQOO 12 Pro: A Deep Dive into vivo's Performance Hierarchy
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the iQOO 12 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift, complemented by significantly faster 120W wired and 50W wireless charging. However, the Z9 Turbo remains a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize raw CPU power and don't require the fastest charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo | vivo iQOO 12 Pro |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 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 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2023, November 14 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 164.6 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm or 8.8 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194.9 g (6.88 oz) | 205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Adreno 750 |
| OS | Android 14, OriginOS 4 | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | Unspecified | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB 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, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Color spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 1.2µm, ulti-directional PDAF, OIS 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), AF |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | 8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@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 | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| 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/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired 7.5W reverse wired | 120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5100 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Mint, White | Black, Red, White (BMW M branding) |
| Models | V2352A | V2329A |
| Price | About 260 EUR | About 650 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo
- More affordable price point
- Excellent CPU performance for the price
- Efficient thermal management due to the 8s Gen 3
- Slower charging speeds (80W wired)
- Less powerful GPU compared to the 12 Pro
- Likely compromises in camera quality
vivo iQOO 12 Pro
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Ultra-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
- Potentially superior camera system
- Higher price tag
- May run hotter under sustained load
- More expensive to repair
Display Comparison
While both phones likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on iQOO's typical offerings), the context data doesn't specify display characteristics. However, the 12 Pro, being the flagship, is expected to feature a higher peak brightness, potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, and a more refined color calibration. The Z9 Turbo will likely offer a very good display, but will likely make compromises to hit its price point. Bezels are also likely to be slimmer on the 12 Pro, contributing to a more premium feel.
Camera Comparison
The provided data doesn't detail camera specifications. However, the iQOO 12 Pro, as the flagship, is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, likely with a larger main sensor, optical image stabilization (OIS), and a wider range of focal lengths. The Z9 Turbo will likely focus on delivering good image quality at a lower cost, potentially sacrificing features like OIS or a telephoto lens. Image processing algorithms will also likely be more refined on the 12 Pro, resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The iQOO 12 Pro’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (3.3 GHz Cortex-X4) boasts a higher clock speed and a more complex CPU core configuration (1+3+2+2) compared to the Z9 Turbo’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, 1+4+3). This translates to a roughly 10-15% performance advantage for the 12 Pro in CPU-intensive tasks. The GPU difference is also significant, with the 8 Gen 3 offering substantially better graphics performance. Both utilize a 4nm process, but the 8 Gen 3’s architecture is more advanced, leading to better efficiency. Both phones likely feature LPDDR5x RAM, but the 12 Pro may benefit from faster RAM speeds or larger capacity options.
Battery Life
The iQOO 12 Pro’s 120W wired charging is a game-changer, capable of fully charging the battery in under 25 minutes (estimated). The Z9 Turbo’s 80W charging is still fast, but significantly slower. The 12 Pro also adds 50W wireless charging, a feature absent on the Z9 Turbo. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the 12 Pro mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. The 10W reverse wired charging on the Z9 Turbo and 10W on the 12 Pro are useful for topping up accessories, but not a primary selling point.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo if you need a powerful gaming experience on a tighter budget, prioritizing CPU performance and efficient thermal management. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prefer a no-compromise flagship experience with the fastest charging speeds, a more powerful processor for sustained workloads, and potentially a more refined overall feature set (assuming typical iQOO 12 Pro additions like a more advanced display).