iQOO Z9 Turbo+ vs Samsung Galaxy A55: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Champions

The iQOO Z9 Turbo+ and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO aggressively targets performance with the flagship-class Dimensity 9300+, while the Galaxy A55 prioritizes a balanced experience with Samsung’s refined software and efficient Exynos 1480. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 9300+ chipset delivers significantly more processing power. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 excels in battery endurance and offers a more polished software experience, making it ideal for everyday users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ Samsung Galaxy A55
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, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, September 242024, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, September 24Available. Released 2024, March 15
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.7 x 75.9 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)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)213 g (7.51 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak)Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)Exynos 1480 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Xclipse 530
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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, HDRLED 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)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@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 portYes-
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS, NavIC (L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, 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, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired 7.5W reverse wired25W wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6400 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, TitaniumIceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon
ModelsV2417ASM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560
PriceAbout 280 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 with Dimensity 9300+
  • Ultra-fast 80W wired charging
  • Potential for superior gaming performance

  • Camera specifications are unknown
  • Battery life potentially lower than A55

Samsung Galaxy A55

  • Excellent battery life (13:27h active use)
  • Bright and color-accurate display (1010 nits)
  • Refined software experience with One UI

  • Slower processor compared to Dimensity 9300+
  • Slower 25W charging

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a measured peak brightness of 1010 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z9 Turbo+'s display specifications are not provided, Samsung’s panel technology is known for its color accuracy and viewing angles. The A55’s brightness advantage is significant, particularly for outdoor use. The absence of LTPO technology in either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rates to conserve battery, but the A55’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z9 Turbo+, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, Samsung typically focuses on image processing and software optimization. The Galaxy A55 likely benefits from Samsung’s established camera algorithms, delivering consistent and pleasing results. The absence of information regarding sensor size or OIS on the iQOO makes it difficult to assess its low-light performance or video stabilization capabilities. We can assume the A55 will offer a more refined and predictable camera experience, while the iQOO’s camera performance remains an unknown quantity.

Performance

The iQOO Z9 Turbo+’s Mediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) is a powerhouse, featuring a unique CPU configuration with Cortex-X4 cores clocked up to 3.4 GHz. This architecture is designed for sustained peak performance, eclipsing the Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 (4nm) which utilizes older Cortex-A78 cores at 2.75 GHz. The Dimensity 9300+’s superior core design and clock speeds translate to significantly faster processing and graphics capabilities, making the iQOO the better choice for demanding games and multitasking. The iQOO’s likely faster RAM (LPDDR5x is expected) further enhances its performance edge. Thermal management will be crucial for the iQOO to sustain this performance, but the 4nm process should help.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A55 demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving 13 hours and 27 minutes of active use. While the iQOO Z9 Turbo+'s battery capacity is not specified, its 80W wired charging is a substantial advantage over the A55’s 25W charging. This means the iQOO can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. Even if the iQOO has a slightly smaller battery, the faster charging speed could offset this difference for many users. The A55 prioritizes longevity, while the iQOO prioritizes quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ if you need uncompromising performance for gaming, demanding applications, or future-proofing. Its 80W charging is a game-changer for minimizing downtime. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a longer-lasting battery, a refined user experience with Samsung’s One UI, and a more balanced feature set focused on everyday usability.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1480 is a relatively efficient chip, and while it can get warm during extended gaming, it's unlikely to experience significant thermal throttling. Samsung’s software optimizations and the phone’s cooling system are designed to manage heat effectively. However, it won't match the sustained performance of the iQOO Z9 Turbo+'s Dimensity 9300+ under heavy load.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ with its 80W charging?
With 80W charging, the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is expected to charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on battery capacity. This is significantly faster than the Galaxy A55’s 25W charging, which will likely take over an hour.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-X4 vs Cortex-A78) noticeable in everyday tasks?
While both phones handle everyday tasks smoothly, the iQOO Z9 Turbo+'s Cortex-X4 cores offer a substantial performance advantage in demanding applications like video editing, resource-intensive games, and multitasking. The difference will be most apparent when pushing the phones to their limits.
❓ What kind of gaming performance can I expect from the iQOO Z9 Turbo+?
The Dimensity 9300+ is a gaming powerhouse. Expect to run demanding titles like Genshin Impact and PUBG Mobile at maximum settings with high frame rates. The iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is designed to deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience.