The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z9x and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options for users seeking a balance of performance and affordability. The iQOO Z9x focuses on delivering solid performance at a lower price point, while the Realme 12 Pro+ aims for a more premium experience with faster charging and potentially better camera capabilities. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and all-day battery life, the Realme 12 Pro+ is the better choice. Its 67W charging and 13:24h active use score significantly outperform the iQOO Z9x. However, budget-conscious gamers may find the iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 sufficient for their needs.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.05 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS (China) | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| 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 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| 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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired
Reverse wired | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tornado Green (Northern Green), Storm Grey (Mystic Black), White | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | V2353A, I2219 | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | ₹ 13,499 | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
vivo iQOO Z9x
- More affordable price point
- Capable Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 processor
- 44W fast charging with reverse wired charging
- Limited battery life data
- Potentially less refined camera system
Realme 12 Pro+
- Excellent 13:24h battery life
- Faster 67W wired charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 processor
- Higher price compared to iQOO Z9x
- May be overkill for basic users
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 802 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z9x, for which display brightness data is unavailable. While both devices utilize 4nm chipsets, display quality can significantly impact user experience, especially for media consumption. The Realme 12 Pro+ likely benefits from a more advanced panel, potentially offering better color accuracy and viewing angles, though specific panel technology (e.g., AMOLED, IPS) isn't specified. The iQOO Z9x’s display specs are currently unknown, making a direct comparison difficult.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z9x, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 12 Pro+ is expected to feature a more sophisticated camera system, potentially including a larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). The Realme brand historically focuses on camera capabilities, suggesting a greater emphasis on image quality and low-light performance. While the iQOO Z9x may offer a functional camera, the Realme 12 Pro+ is likely to deliver more detailed and vibrant photos, especially in challenging conditions. We can assume the iQOO Z9x will have a more basic camera setup geared towards social media sharing.
Performance
The Realme 12 Pro+ is equipped with the Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, featuring a CPU clocked up to 2.40 GHz, while the iQOO Z9x utilizes the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 with a peak CPU speed of 2.2 GHz. This difference in clock speed, coupled with the architectural improvements in the 7s Gen 2, translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the Realme 12 Pro+ in demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. Both chips are built on a 4nm process, contributing to improved thermal efficiency, but the 7s Gen 2’s more powerful CPU and GPU will likely result in sustained performance for longer periods. The iQOO Z9x, while capable, is geared towards smoother everyday use rather than intensive workloads.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ shines in battery performance, achieving an active use score of 13:24 hours. This is a significant advantage over the iQOO Z9x, for which battery life data is unavailable. Furthermore, the Realme 12 Pro+ supports 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes, while the iQOO Z9x is limited to 44W charging. This faster charging speed drastically reduces downtime and provides a more convenient user experience. The Realme 12 Pro+'s combination of long battery life and rapid charging makes it ideal for users who are constantly on the go.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9x if you need a capable gaming phone on a tight budget and aren't overly concerned with charging speed or extended battery life. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you prioritize all-day battery life, significantly faster charging, and a more refined user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the iQOO Z9x struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is a capable chip, Genshin Impact and similar titles may require reduced graphics settings for a smooth experience. The iQOO Z9x is best suited for medium-fidelity gaming, while the Realme 12 Pro+'s Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 will handle these games with higher settings and more consistent frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compared to the 44W charging on the iQOO Z9x in real-world use?
The Realme 12 Pro+'s 67W charging can add approximately 50% charge in 19 minutes. The iQOO Z9x’s 44W charging will take considerably longer to reach the same charge level, potentially adding around 30-40% in the same timeframe. This difference is significant for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the Realme 12 Pro+ likely to experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Both phones utilize a 4nm process, which aids in thermal efficiency. However, the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ is more powerful and therefore generates more heat. Realme likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling, but prolonged, intensive gaming may still result in some performance reduction. The iQOO Z9x, with its less powerful chip, is less prone to throttling.
