vivo S10e vs. vivo iQOO 9 (China): A Detailed Showdown

vivo offers a diverse range of smartphones catering to different needs and budgets. The vivo S10e focuses on style and mid-range performance, while the iQOO 9 (China) is a powerhouse designed for gamers and power users. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which device comes out on top.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO 9 (China) is the clear winner for performance and charging speed, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 120W charging. However, the S10e might appeal to those prioritizing a more stylish design and slightly lower price point, if raw power isn't a top priority.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S10e vivo iQOO 9 (China)
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1x
Launch
Announced2021, October 182022, January 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 20Available. Released 2022, January 12
Body
Dimensions160.9 x 74.3 x 7.5 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.30 in)164.5 x 76.7 x 8.4 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight175 g (6.17 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~88.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDRAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10, 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Adreno 730
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 12, OriginOS Ocean
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired120W wired, 100% in 19 min 10W reverse wireless
Type4000 mAh4700 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, AuroraWhite (BMW M branding), Orange, Black
ModelsV2130AV2171A
PriceAbout 320 EURAbout 560 EUR

vivo S10e

  • Stylish Design
  • Good Selfie Camera
  • Decent Performance for Everyday Tasks
  • More Affordable

  • Less Powerful Chipset
  • Slower Charging
  • Potentially Less Advanced Display

vivo iQOO 9 (China)

  • Flagship Performance (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1)
  • Blazing-Fast 120W Charging
  • Superior Display (Likely)
  • Excellent Gaming Performance

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Design may be less focused on aesthetics
  • May lack some features found in other regions

Display Comparison

The iQOO 9 (China) likely boasts a superior display, potentially featuring a higher refresh rate (120Hz or higher) and better color accuracy compared to the S10e. While the S10e likely has a good quality AMOLED display, the iQOO 9's panel is expected to be more advanced. Screen size and resolution are likely similar, around 6.5-6.7 inches with FHD+ resolution.

Camera Comparison

Both phones likely feature capable camera systems. The S10e is often marketed for its selfie camera capabilities. The iQOO 9 (China) likely has a more versatile main camera system with better low-light performance and video recording capabilities due to its flagship chipset and potentially larger sensor.

Performance

This is where the iQOO 9 (China) dominates. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is significantly more powerful than the Dimensity 900. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and significantly better gaming performance on the iQOO 9. The iQOO 9's cooling system will also be more robust.

Battery Life

The iQOO 9 (China) takes a commanding lead in battery charging. Its 120W wired charging is incredibly fast, while the S10e's 44W charging is still respectable but slower. Battery capacity is likely similar, around 4000-4500 mAh, but the iQOO 9's charging speed makes a huge difference.

Buying Guide

The vivo S10e is ideal for users who want a stylish phone with decent performance for everyday tasks, social media, and photography. The iQOO 9 (China) is perfect for gamers, content creators, and anyone who demands the fastest possible performance and charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the vivo S10e good for gaming?
The vivo S10e can handle casual games, but it will struggle with demanding titles at high settings. The iQOO 9 (China) is significantly better suited for gaming.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
While both phones likely have similar battery capacities, the iQOO 9 (China)'s incredibly fast charging means you'll spend far less time plugged in.