vivo iQOO Z9x vs OnePlus Nord 4: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus Nord 4 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset and 100W charging significantly outperform the iQOO Z9x's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and 44W charging, justifying the price difference for power users.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo iQOO Z9x | OnePlus Nord 4 |
| 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2024, July 16 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2024, August 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 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 | 199 g (7.05 oz) | 199.5 g (7.05 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2150 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x1.9 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7675 Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 732 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS (China) | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 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 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, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 44W wired Reverse wired | 100W wired, PPS, 100% in 28 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Tornado Green (Northern Green), Storm Grey (Mystic Black), White | Obsidian Midnight, Mercurial Silver, Oasis Green |
| Models | V2353A, I2219 | CPH2663, CPH2661 |
| Price | ₹ 13,499 | € 410.27 / £ 423.17 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 1.06 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9x
- More affordable price point
- Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Significantly weaker processor performance
- Slower charging speed
- Likely inferior camera system
OnePlus Nord 4
- Superior processor performance (Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3)
- Ultra-fast 100W charging
- Brighter and potentially more accurate display
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under heavy load
- May require more frequent software updates to optimize performance
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1163 nits, making it far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z9x (brightness data unavailable). While both utilize LCD panels (assumed for iQOO Z9x based on price point), the Nord 4’s higher brightness is a substantial advantage. We expect the Nord 4 to have better color accuracy and viewing angles, though detailed panel analysis requires further testing. Bezels are likely comparable given the similar overall design philosophies of both brands.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the iQOO Z9x, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its price point, we anticipate a more basic camera setup. The OnePlus Nord 4 likely features a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor, potentially with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), resulting in better low-light performance and sharper images. Lens apertures will also play a role; wider apertures (lower f-number) allow more light to reach the sensor. Image processing algorithms on the Nord 4 are also likely more advanced, offering better dynamic range and color accuracy. We'd advise ignoring any 2MP macro lenses on either device, as their image quality is typically underwhelming.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 4’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). The 7+ Gen 3 features a prime Cortex-X4 core clocked at 2.8 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 and A520 cores, offering significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. The iQOO Z9x’s Cortex-A78 and A55 cores, while efficient, are a generation behind. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience on the Nord 4. The Nord 4 also benefits from potentially faster RAM (likely LPDDR5x) compared to the iQOO Z9x, further enhancing responsiveness. Thermal management will be crucial; the 7+ Gen 3’s increased power demands will need effective cooling to prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
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 massive advantage over the iQOO Z9x’s 44W charging. While the iQOO Z9x may have a slightly larger battery capacity (data unavailable), the Nord 4’s significantly faster charging mitigates any potential capacity difference. The Nord 4’s active use score of 14:41h demonstrates excellent battery life, suggesting efficient power management alongside the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3. The iQOO Z9x will likely offer adequate battery life for typical daily use, but will require more frequent charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9x if you need a highly affordable smartphone for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming, and are willing to compromise on raw processing power and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord 4 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and better long-term performance for demanding apps and games, and are willing to invest a bit more.