The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 4 and vivo iQOO Z9s represent compelling options. The Nord 4 arrives as a refinement of OnePlus’s established formula, while the iQOO Z9s aims to disrupt with a focus on value. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and sustained performance, the OnePlus Nord 4 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset and 100W charging significantly outperform the iQOO Z9s’ Dimensity 7300 and 44W charging, despite the iQOO offering a potentially more aggressive price point.
| 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) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 21 | 2024, July 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 23 | Available. Released 2024, August 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75 x 7.5 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 162.6 x 75 x 8 mm (6.40 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g or 182 g (6.35 oz) | 199.5 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2150 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Adreno 732 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired
7.5W reverse wired | 100W wired, PPS, 100% in 28 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 5500 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Matte, Onyx Green | Obsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green |
| Models | I2403 | CPH2663, CPH2661 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | € 410.27 / £ 423.17 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9s
- Potentially lower price point
- Efficient Dimensity 7300 chipset for everyday tasks
- 44W charging offers decent top-up speeds
- Slower charging compared to Nord 4
- Less powerful chipset for demanding games
- Limited information on display quality
OnePlus Nord 4
- Blazing-fast 100W charging (0-100% in 28 mins)
- Powerful Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset
- Bright 1163 nit display for excellent outdoor visibility
- Likely higher price tag
- Higher performance may lead to increased heat
- Software experience may not appeal to all users
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1163 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z9s, which lacks published brightness data. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels for vibrant colors, the Nord 4’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. We anticipate the Nord 4 will also have better color accuracy due to OnePlus’s display calibration history, though this requires independent testing. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the iQOO Z9s, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Nord 4’s positioning, it likely features a more sophisticated camera system. The focus should be on the main sensor size and aperture. A larger sensor with a wider aperture (e.g., f/1.8 or wider) captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance. Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is a critical feature for sharper photos and smoother videos, and is expected on the Nord 4. We anticipate the Nord 4 will prioritize image processing for natural colors and detail, while the iQOO Z9s may lean towards more saturated, social media-friendly images. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and should not be a deciding factor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 4’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) features a prime Cortex-X4 core clocked at 2.8 GHz, offering a substantial performance uplift over the iQOO Z9s’ MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (4nm). The Snapdragon’s architecture, with its faster Cortex-X4, excels in single-core tasks and demanding games. While both are 4nm chips, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3’s Adreno 732 GPU is a step above the Mali-G615 MP4 in the Dimensity 7300, providing a smoother gaming experience. The Nord 4’s likely use of faster LPDDR5x RAM further enhances performance. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon’s higher performance ceiling may require more aggressive cooling.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 4’s 100W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 28 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the iQOO Z9s’ 44W charging, which will take considerably longer. The Nord 4’s active use battery score of 14:41h demonstrates excellent real-world endurance. While the iQOO Z9s’ battery capacity is unknown, the faster charging of the Nord 4 effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The Nord 4 also supports PPS (Power Delivery Protocol) for optimized charging with compatible chargers.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9s if you prioritize a potentially lower price and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord 4 if you demand faster performance for demanding apps and games, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid 100W charging, making it ideal for power users and those constantly on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 4 handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is a capable chipset for gaming. While it won't match flagship performance, it should comfortably run Genshin Impact at high settings with stable frame rates, though some settings adjustments may be necessary for optimal performance and to manage thermals.
❓ How does the 44W charging on the iQOO Z9s compare to standard 33W charging in terms of real-world top-up times?
44W charging is noticeably faster than 33W. While not as rapid as the Nord 4’s 100W, it will still provide a significant top-up in a short amount of time – expect around 30-45 minutes to go from 20% to 80%, depending on usage.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 4 support software updates for an extended period, and what is OnePlus’s track record for software support?
OnePlus generally provides at least two major Android updates and three years of security patches for its Nord series devices. They have a relatively good track record for timely updates, though the exact duration of support can vary. Check OnePlus’s official website for the specific update policy for the Nord 4.
❓ Is the iQOO Z9s a good option for users who primarily use their phone for social media, browsing, and light productivity tasks?
Absolutely. The Dimensity 7300 is more than capable of handling everyday tasks like social media, web browsing, and light productivity apps. The iQOO Z9s provides a smooth and responsive experience for these use cases, and its potential lower price makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious users.
