The iQOO Z9s and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO Z9s prioritizes raw processing power with its Dimensity 7300, while the Galaxy A55 focuses on a refined user experience and impressive battery endurance. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the iQOO Z9s offers a performance edge thanks to its Dimensity 7300 chipset. However, the Samsung Galaxy A55 wins for all-day battery life and a brighter, more visible display, making it the better choice for the average user.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 21 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 23 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75 x 7.5 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.30 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 | 180 g or 182 g (6.35 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB 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
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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, 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 | 44W wired
7.5W reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 5500 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Matte, Onyx Green | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | I2403 | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9s
- Faster 44W charging for quicker top-ups.
- Potentially superior GPU performance with the Dimensity 7300.
- Likely more competitive pricing.
- Unknown display brightness and quality.
- Limited information on camera capabilities.
- Potentially shorter battery life compared to the A55.
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Excellent 13:27h battery life in active use.
- Bright 1010 nit display for outdoor visibility.
- Samsung’s established software and update support.
- Slower 25W charging.
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speed.
- Potentially higher price point.
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1010 nits, compared to an unstated peak brightness for the iQOO Z9s. This makes the A55 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display power draw will impact overall battery life. We expect the A55 to have a more color-accurate panel, typical of Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology, though this requires independent testing. The iQOO Z9s’ display specifications are currently unknown, making a detailed comparison difficult, but it’s unlikely to match the A55’s brightness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z9s, a direct comparison is limited. Samsung typically excels in image processing, and the A55 likely benefits from this. The presence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A55 is a significant advantage, resulting in sharper photos and smoother videos, especially in low light. We anticipate the A55’s main sensor to be larger than any potential sensor on the iQOO Z9s, further enhancing image quality. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and offers minimal practical benefit.
Performance
Both phones employ 4nm chipsets, but the Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480 (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) has a slightly higher peak CPU clock speed than the iQOO Z9s’ Dimensity 7300 (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). However, clock speed isn’t everything. The Dimensity 7300’s architecture is newer and generally offers better efficiency and GPU performance. The iQOO Z9s is likely to excel in gaming and sustained workloads, while the A55 will handle daily tasks smoothly. RAM configurations are unknown for both, but LPDDR5X support would be a significant advantage for either device.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving 13 hours and 27 minutes of active use. The iQOO Z9s, with its 44W wired charging, offers faster charging speeds than the A55’s 25W, potentially mitigating a smaller battery capacity (if present). However, faster charging doesn’t compensate for a significantly smaller battery. The A55’s efficiency, combined with its larger battery (assumed), translates to a longer-lasting experience, reducing the need for frequent top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9s if you frequently play graphically intensive games, edit videos on your phone, or need the fastest possible processing speeds for multitasking. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you value long battery life, a vibrant and easily viewable display, and Samsung’s established software ecosystem with guaranteed updates. The A55 is ideal for everyday users who prioritize reliability and longevity.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Exynos 1480 is a capable chip, it's known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. Samsung's software optimizations and the A55's cooling system mitigate this, but extended gaming at maximum settings may lead to reduced performance over time. The iQOO Z9s, with its Dimensity 7300, is likely to manage heat more efficiently.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the iQOO Z9s a significant advantage over the 25W charging on the Galaxy A55?
Yes, 44W charging is noticeably faster than 25W. While the Galaxy A55’s superior battery life reduces the need for frequent charging, the iQOO Z9s can replenish its battery more quickly when needed. Expect a 0-100% charge in approximately 60-75 minutes on the iQOO Z9s versus 90-120 minutes on the A55.
❓ How does the image processing differ between the iQOO Z9s and the Samsung Galaxy A55?
Samsung is renowned for its vibrant and often saturated image processing, prioritizing visually appealing photos. iQOO’s image processing style is less well-defined, but generally aims for a more natural look. The A55’s processing is likely to be more aggressive in noise reduction and sharpening, while the iQOO Z9s may offer more detail but potentially more noise in low-light conditions.
