The vivo iQOO Z9x and Xiaomi 14 Civi represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The iQOO Z9x focuses on delivering solid performance at an aggressive price point, while the Xiaomi 14 Civi aims for a more premium experience with a significantly more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi 14 Civi is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a substantial leap in processing power compared to the iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. However, the iQOO Z9x remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who don't need top-tier performance.
| 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, 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, 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, June 12 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 29 | Available. Released 2024, June 20 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 8 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) | 157.2 x 72.8 x 7.5 mm or 7.8 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.05 oz) | 177.6 g or 179.3 g (6.28 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1236 x 2750 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~460 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~86.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.55 inches, 103.5 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 14, Funtouch OS 14 (International), OriginOS (China) | Android 14, HyperOS |
| 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 | 256GB 8GB 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 | 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, 1080p, gyro-EIS | 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 | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| 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 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS (B1I+B1c) | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| 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, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired
Reverse wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 40 minutes |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Tornado Green (Northern Green), Storm Grey (Mystic Black), White | Cruise Blue, Matcha Green, Shadow Black |
| Models | V2353A, I2219 | 24053PY09I |
| Price | ₹ 13,499 | ₹ 26,249 |
| SAR | - | 0.93 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z9x
- More affordable price point
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset (depending on capacity)
- Significantly less powerful processor
- Likely inferior camera performance
- Slower charging speeds
Xiaomi 14 Civi
- Much faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor
- Brighter and potentially more color-accurate display
- Faster 67W wired charging
- Higher price tag
- Potentially shorter battery life under heavy load
- May run hotter under sustained gaming
Display Comparison
The Xiaomi 14 Civi boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1441 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z9x (brightness data unavailable, but expected to be lower given the price difference). While both utilize 4nm chipsets, the display’s brightness impacts the overall user experience, especially for media consumption. The 14 Civi’s panel likely benefits from more advanced color calibration techniques, though specific color accuracy data is missing. Bezels are expected to be slimmer on the 14 Civi, contributing to a more modern aesthetic.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the iQOO Z9x, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its price point, it’s likely to feature a more basic camera system. The Xiaomi 14 Civi is expected to have a more sophisticated camera setup, potentially including features like optical image stabilization (OIS) and larger sensor sizes. The 8s Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will also contribute to better image processing, resulting in improved dynamic range and low-light performance. Focusing on the main sensor is crucial; the presence of numerous low-resolution auxiliary lenses (like 2MP macros) often adds little value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi 14 Civi’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, built on a 4nm process, features a prime Cortex-X4 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside four Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8 GHz and three Cortex-A520 cores at 2.0 GHz. This configuration delivers a substantial performance advantage over the iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1. The Z9x’s octa-core CPU (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) is geared towards efficiency, but lacks the high-end processing power for demanding tasks. The 8s Gen 3 also benefits from a more powerful Adreno GPU, translating to significantly better gaming performance. While both phones likely utilize LPDDR5x RAM, the 8s Gen 3’s architecture will better leverage its bandwidth.
Battery Life
The Xiaomi 14 Civi’s 67W wired charging, with a claimed 100% charge in 40 minutes, is a significant advantage over the iQOO Z9x’s 44W charging. While the iQOO Z9x offers reverse wired charging, the 14 Civi’s faster charging speed is more impactful for daily use. The 14 Civi’s active use battery score of 11:36h suggests good battery optimization, despite potentially powering a more demanding display and chipset. The iQOO Z9x’s battery capacity is unknown, but a larger capacity would be needed to offset the less efficient chipset.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z9x if you need a reliable daily driver for basic tasks, social media, and light gaming, and are prioritizing affordability above all else. Buy the Xiaomi 14 Civi if you prefer a smoother experience with demanding apps, enjoy mobile gaming, and value faster charging speeds and a brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Xiaomi 14 Civi get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chip, it's designed for efficiency. However, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. Xiaomi likely employs thermal management solutions like vapor chambers to mitigate throttling, but some performance reduction is possible during prolonged, demanding gameplay. The iQOO Z9x's Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 will generate less heat, but also offer significantly lower gaming performance.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the iQOO Z9x slow compared to the 67W on the Xiaomi 14 Civi?
Yes, 44W charging is noticeably slower than 67W. The Xiaomi 14 Civi can reach a full charge in approximately 40 minutes, while the iQOO Z9x will likely take closer to an hour or more. This difference is significant for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 handle multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 excels at multitasking due to its more powerful CPU cores and improved memory management capabilities. The iQOO Z9x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 can handle basic multitasking, but will likely exhibit slowdowns when running numerous demanding apps simultaneously. The 8s Gen 3 provides a smoother and more responsive experience for power users.
