The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z9x and Samsung Galaxy A55 represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The iQOO Z9x prioritizes raw processing power with its Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, 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 quick charging, the vivo iQOO Z9x offers a noticeable performance edge. 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global | 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, April 24 | 2024, March 11 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2024, March 15 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 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 | 199 g (7.05 oz) | 213 g (7.51 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Exynos 1480 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Xclipse 530 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS (China) | Android 14, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 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
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, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| 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, OTG |
| 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, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired
Reverse wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Ion 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tornado Green (Northern Green), Storm Grey (Mystic Black), White | Iceblue, Lilac, Navy, Lemon |
| Models | V2353A, I2219 | SM-A556V, SM-A556B, SM-A556B/DS, SM-A556E, SM-A556E/DS, SM-A5560 |
| Price | ₹ 13,499 | $ 324.99 / £ 251.50 / € 319.99 / ₹ 23,998 |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 1.04 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9x
- Faster 44W charging for quick top-ups
- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 offers strong gaming performance
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Likely shorter battery life compared to the A55
- Display brightness may be lower than the A55
Samsung Galaxy A55
- Exceptional battery life (13:27h active use)
- Brighter 1010 nit display for outdoor visibility
- Refined software experience and Samsung ecosystem
- Slower 25W charging
- Potentially less raw gaming performance than the iQOO Z9x
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A55 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1010 nits, compared to an unstated value for the iQOO Z9x. This brightness advantage translates to superior visibility under direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z9x’s panel specifications are unknown, Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology typically delivers excellent color accuracy and contrast. The A55’s display is likely to offer a more immersive viewing experience, especially for media consumption. We expect the A55 to have a standard 60/120Hz refresh rate, while the iQOO Z9x’s refresh rate is unknown, but likely 60/90Hz.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the iQOO Z9x, a direct comparison is challenging. However, Samsung typically excels in image processing, and the Galaxy A55 likely features a more refined camera system. The A55’s main sensor size is unknown, but it’s reasonable to assume it’s competitive within the mid-range segment. The iQOO Z9x likely includes standard features like a night mode and portrait mode, but the A55’s image quality is expected to be more consistent across various lighting conditions. We can expect the A55 to have OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) which the iQOO Z9x may lack.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy A55’s Exynos 1480, with its 4x2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, offers a higher peak CPU clock speed than the iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78). Both chipsets are built on a 4nm process, suggesting comparable efficiency. However, the Exynos 1480’s architecture may provide a slight edge in multi-core performance. The iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is optimized for gaming, potentially offering a smoother experience in demanding titles, but the A55’s GPU is likely comparable. Both phones likely feature 8GB of RAM, but the A55 may utilize faster LPDDR5x memory, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy A55 demonstrates a clear advantage in battery life, achieving an active use score of 13 hours and 27 minutes. While the iQOO Z9x’s battery capacity is unknown, its 44W wired charging significantly outpaces the A55’s 25W charging. This means the iQOO Z9x can replenish its battery much faster, potentially mitigating any capacity disadvantage. A full charge on the iQOO Z9x is expected to take under an hour, while the A55 will likely require over 1.5 hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9x if you need a phone primarily for gaming, fast charging is a must-have, and you don't mind potentially shorter battery life. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A55 if you prefer a phone with exceptional battery endurance, a brighter and more vibrant display for outdoor use, and a more polished software experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1480 in the Galaxy A55 tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1480 is a 4nm chip, which generally offers good thermal efficiency. While some throttling is possible during extended, demanding gaming, the A55’s larger chassis and Samsung’s thermal management solutions should prevent significant overheating. It’s unlikely to reach critical temperatures that cause performance drops.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the iQOO Z9x significantly faster in real-world use compared to the A55’s 25W?
Yes, the 44W charging on the iQOO Z9x will noticeably reduce charging times. Expect a 0-100% charge in under an hour, while the Galaxy A55 will likely take over 1.5 hours. This difference is particularly beneficial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Genshin Impact at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it may not achieve the highest possible graphics settings, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience. Expect some frame drops during intense combat scenarios.
❓ Does the Samsung Galaxy A55 support 90fps or 120fps gameplay in popular mobile games?
The Galaxy A55 likely supports 60fps gameplay in most titles. While some games may offer a 90fps or 120fps option, performance will depend on the game's optimization and the phone's thermal conditions. It's unlikely to consistently maintain 120fps in demanding games.
