The vivo S1 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The S1 Pro focuses on a streamlined experience and attractive design, while the Mi 9T Pro aims for near-flagship performance at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 855 chipset offers a significant leap in processing power compared to the S1 Pro’s Snapdragon 665, making it ideal for gaming and demanding applications. However, the S1 Pro remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| 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, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, November 19. Released 2019, November | 2019, August 21. Released 2019, August 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 159.3 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 156.7 x 74.3 x 8.8 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186.7 g (6.60 oz) | 191 g (6.74 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~86.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Super AMOLED, HDR |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.2 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom
13 MP, f/2.4, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a) |
| Radio | FM radio | Yes |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 | 18W wired | 27W wired, QC4 |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Fancy Sky | Carbon black, Red flame, Glacier blue |
| Models | 1920, PD1945F_EX, 1920_20 | M1903F11G |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.30 W/kg (head) 1.51 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.9dB / Crosstalk -94.2dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 103h |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.9 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 368846 (v7), 437823 (v8)
GeekBench: 10684 (v4.4), 2732 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 36fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo S1 Pro
- More affordable price point
- Stylish design and build quality
- Adequate performance for basic tasks
- Significantly weaker processor compared to the Mi 9T Pro
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely inferior camera performance
Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 855 processor
- Fast 27W charging with QC4
- Superior gaming performance
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more susceptible to thermal throttling under extreme load
- May be larger and heavier than the S1 Pro
Display Comparison
Both devices share an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting both utilize AMOLED panels, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, detailed specifications like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are missing. Given the Mi 9T Pro’s positioning, it likely boasts a higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. The S1 Pro, being a more budget-oriented device, may have a slightly less refined display experience. The lack of refresh rate information suggests both are standard 60Hz panels.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Mi 9T Pro, positioned as a higher-end device, likely features a more capable main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Snapdragon 855’s image signal processor (ISP) also offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the 665. While both phones likely include standard features like HDR and portrait mode, the Mi 9T Pro is expected to deliver better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The S1 Pro’s camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but won’t match the Mi 9T Pro’s potential.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo S1 Pro’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 855 features a Kryo 485 CPU with a prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, compared to the S1 Pro’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold core. This translates to significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a far superior gaming experience. The 7nm process node of the 855 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the 855’s GPU is in a different league, offering a much higher level of graphical fidelity.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an endurance rating of 103 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the Mi 9T Pro’s 27W wired charging with Quick Charge 4 (QC4) support is a significant advantage over the S1 Pro’s 18W charging. This means the Mi 9T Pro can be charged much faster, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference, making the Mi 9T Pro more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S1 Pro if you need a stylish, everyday smartphone for basic tasks like social media, browsing, and light photography, and prioritize a lower price point. Buy the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro if you prefer a phone capable of handling demanding games, multitasking, and benefit from significantly faster charging speeds, even if it comes at a slightly higher cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 855 is a powerful chip, it's known to generate heat under sustained load. The Mi 9T Pro likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate this, but some throttling may occur during extended gaming. However, the overall gaming experience will still be significantly better than on the S1 Pro.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the vivo S1 Pro slow compared to the Mi 9T Pro's 27W?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than 27W with Quick Charge 4. Expect a significantly longer time to fully charge the S1 Pro. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
❓ Can the vivo S1 Pro handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile?
The vivo S1 Pro can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but likely at lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Snapdragon 665 is not optimized for demanding games like the Snapdragon 855 in the Mi 9T Pro, which can handle these titles at higher settings with smoother performance.
❓ Does the Xiaomi Mi 9T Pro support 90Hz or higher refresh rate for smoother scrolling?
Based on available information, neither device is confirmed to have a high refresh rate display. Both likely operate at a standard 60Hz refresh rate. This means scrolling and animations won't be as fluid as on phones with higher refresh rate panels.
