iQOO Z9 Turbo+ vs iQOO 12 Pro: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

vivo’s iQOO sub-brand consistently delivers impressive specs at competitive prices. The iQOO Z9 Turbo+ aims to disrupt the mid-range with the flagship-level MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ chipset, while the iQOO 12 Pro represents the brand’s current top-tier offering, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which iQOO phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users prioritizing raw performance and value, the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 9300+ delivers comparable performance to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 at a significantly lower price point. However, the iQOO 12 Pro justifies its higher cost with faster 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, making it ideal for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ vivo iQOO 12 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, September 242023, November 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, September 24Available. Released 2023, November 14
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frame-
Dimensions163.7 x 75.9 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
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196 g (6.91 oz)205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz)
Display
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~518 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.4% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR, 4500 nits (peak)LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720)Octa-core (1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9300+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G720 MC12Adreno 750
OSAndroid 14, OriginOS 4Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 (International), OriginOS 4 (China)
Memory
Card slotUnspecifiedNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 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, HDRColor 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
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1C+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS, NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
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/6/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired 7.5W reverse wired120W wired 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6400 mAh5100 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, TitaniumBlack, Red, White (BMW M branding)
ModelsV2417AV2329A
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 650 EUR

vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+

  • Exceptional performance for the price
  • Flagship-level Dimensity 9300+ chipset
  • Competitive 80W wired charging

  • No wireless charging
  • Potentially less refined camera system

vivo iQOO 12 Pro

  • Ultra-fast 120W wired and 50W wireless charging
  • Potentially superior camera system
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 offers excellent sustained performance

  • Significantly higher price
  • May not offer a substantial performance uplift over the Z9 Turbo+ for all tasks

Display Comparison

While both devices likely feature high refresh rate AMOLED panels (data not provided), the core difference lies elsewhere. The iQOO 12 Pro, being the flagship, likely boasts a higher peak brightness and potentially LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, improving power efficiency. The Z9 Turbo+ may prioritize a flat display for gaming comfort, while the 12 Pro could feature a curved edge design. Color accuracy is expected to be excellent on both, but the 12 Pro’s panel is likely calibrated to a higher standard.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but we can infer differences based on positioning. The iQOO 12 Pro, as the flagship, likely features a larger main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS) and a more sophisticated image processing pipeline. The Z9 Turbo+ will likely focus on delivering good image quality at a lower cost, potentially sacrificing features like OIS or utilizing a smaller sensor. The inclusion of a telephoto lens is more probable on the 12 Pro, offering greater zoom capabilities. We anticipate both phones will include ultrawide lenses, but the 12 Pro’s will likely have a wider field of view and better image quality.

Performance

The heart of the comparison is the chipset battle. The iQOO Z9 Turbo+’s MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ (4nm) features a unique CPU configuration with a 1x3.4 GHz Cortex-X4 prime core, 3x2.85 GHz Cortex-X4 cores, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A720 cores. The iQOO 12 Pro utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) with a 1x3.3 GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.2 GHz Cortex-A720, 2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A720, and 2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A520. While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 generally holds a slight edge in sustained performance due to Qualcomm’s thermal management expertise, the Dimensity 9300+’s aggressive core configuration delivers comparable peak performance. Both phones utilize LPDDR5x RAM, but the 12 Pro may benefit from faster RAM speeds or larger capacity options.

Battery Life

The iQOO Z9 Turbo+ supports 80W wired charging, while the iQOO 12 Pro boasts a significantly faster 120W wired charging solution. This translates to a much quicker 0-100% charge time for the 12 Pro. Furthermore, the 12 Pro adds 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent on the Z9 Turbo+. While the Z9 Turbo+ may have a slightly larger battery capacity to compensate for the slower charging, the 12 Pro’s charging speed is a major advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z9 Turbo+ if you need uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding tasks without breaking the bank. It’s the ideal choice for budget-conscious enthusiasts. Buy the vivo iQOO 12 Pro if you prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds, including wireless, and are willing to pay a premium for a more complete flagship experience with potentially better long-term software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 9300+ in the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 9300+ is a highly efficient chipset built on a 4nm process. While any powerful processor will generate heat, iQOO likely implemented a robust cooling system to mitigate throttling. Early reports suggest excellent thermal performance, but real-world testing will be crucial to confirm sustained performance under heavy load.
❓ Does the iQOO 12 Pro support 144Hz refresh rate gaming, and will the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 maintain stable frame rates?
While the exact refresh rate capabilities aren't specified, the iQOO 12 Pro likely supports high refresh rate gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is a powerful chipset capable of delivering high frame rates in most games. However, maintaining stable frame rates depends on game optimization and thermal management. The 12 Pro’s advanced cooling system should help prevent throttling and ensure a smooth gaming experience.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the iQOO Z9 Turbo+ fast enough for daily use, or is the 120W on the 12 Pro a necessity?
80W charging is still very fast and will fully charge the Z9 Turbo+ in a reasonable timeframe. However, the 120W charging on the 12 Pro is significantly quicker, offering a substantial time saving, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day. If minimizing charging time is a priority, the 12 Pro is the better choice.