The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Xiaomi 14 Civi and vivo iQOO Z9s represent compelling options. The Civi aims for a premium experience with a focus on display quality and charging speed, while the iQOO Z9s prioritizes a balanced approach with a different chipset. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing display brightness and rapid charging, the Xiaomi 14 Civi is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a performance edge, and the 67W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, users seeking a potentially more efficient chipset for sustained tasks might find the iQOO Z9s appealing.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 21 | 2024, June 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 23 | Available. Released 2024, June 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75 x 7.5 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.30 in) | 157.2 x 72.8 x 7.5 mm or 7.8 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 180 g or 182 g (6.35 oz) | 177.6 g or 179.3 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density) | 1236 x 2750 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~90.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G615 MC2 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 14 | Android 14, HyperOS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama, Leica lenses |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.6, 25mm (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
50 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 0.64µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
12 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
32 MP, f/2.4, 100˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired
7.5W reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 40 minutes |
| Type | Li-Ion 5500 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Matte, Onyx Green | Cruise Blue, Matcha Green, Shadow Black |
| Models | I2403 | 24053PY09I |
| Price | About 220 EUR | ₹ 26,249 |
| SAR | - | 0.93 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9s
- Faster 67W charging for quick top-ups
- Brighter 1441 nits display for excellent visibility
- More powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Potentially higher power consumption
- No reverse wireless charging
Xiaomi 14 Civi
- Potentially better thermal efficiency with Dimensity 7300
- 7.5W reverse wired charging for accessories
- Balanced performance profile
- Slower 44W charging
- Display brightness likely lower than the Civi
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 14 Civi immediately stands out with its measured peak brightness of 1441 nits, offering excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z9s’ display specifications are not provided, the Civi’s high brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use and HDR content consumption. The Civi’s panel likely utilizes advanced technologies to achieve this brightness, potentially including PWM dimming for eye comfort, though the specific rate isn’t detailed. The absence of display specs for the iQOO Z9s makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Civi clearly leads in this category based on measured performance.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, the market positioning suggests the Xiaomi 14 Civi will likely prioritize camera features, potentially including larger sensors and more advanced image processing algorithms. Xiaomi often focuses on computational photography, leveraging its chipset’s ISP capabilities. The iQOO Z9s, while likely offering a capable camera system, may lean towards a more balanced approach. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes, OIS, and lens apertures prevents a definitive assessment, but the Civi’s brand reputation suggests a stronger emphasis on camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Xiaomi 14 Civi features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm), while the iQOO Z9s utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 boasts a prime Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 and A520 cores, representing a newer architecture than the iQOO Z9s’ Cortex-A78 and A55 cores. This translates to superior single-core performance and improved efficiency in demanding tasks. While both are 4nm chips, Qualcomm’s architecture generally provides a performance advantage. The iQOO Z9s’ Dimensity 7300, however, is known for its strong efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance and thermal management under prolonged load. The Civi’s chipset is likely to deliver a smoother experience in graphically intensive games and applications.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 14 Civi excels in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% in just 40 minutes. The iQOO Z9s, with its 44W wired charging, is significantly slower. While the iQOO Z9s offers 7.5W reverse wired charging, a feature absent in the Civi, the faster charging of the Civi is more impactful for most users. The Xiaomi 14 Civi also boasts an active use battery score of 11:36h, indicating good battery life despite its power-hungry chipset and bright display. The iQOO Z9s’ battery capacity is not specified, making a direct comparison challenging, but the Civi’s combination of battery life and charging speed is a clear advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9s if you need a phone that balances performance with efficiency, potentially offering longer battery life during moderate use. It's ideal for users who prioritize a stable experience over peak performance. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Civi if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display, incredibly fast charging, and a more powerful processor for demanding applications and gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Xiaomi 14 Civi overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chip, Qualcomm has implemented thermal management features to mitigate overheating. The Civi’s cooling system, though not detailed, is likely designed to handle sustained loads. However, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may still result in some throttling, a common occurrence in most smartphones.
❓ Is the 7.5W reverse wired charging on the iQOO Z9s useful for charging accessories like earbuds?
Yes, the 7.5W reverse wired charging is a convenient feature for topping up accessories like wireless earbuds or smartwatches on the go. While not as fast as dedicated chargers, it can provide a crucial boost when you're away from a power outlet. It's a niche feature, but valuable for users heavily invested in wireless accessories.
❓ Does the Xiaomi 14 Civi support high refresh rate gaming?
While not explicitly stated, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is capable of driving high refresh rate displays. The Civi likely supports a 120Hz refresh rate, enabling smoother gameplay in compatible titles. However, achieving consistently high frame rates will depend on the game's optimization and the device's thermal management.
