vivo S9 vs Oppo Find X3 Pro: Which Flagship Delivers the Best Performance and Value?

The vivo S9 and Oppo Find X3 Pro represent distinct approaches to the flagship smartphone experience. The S9, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1100, aims for a balance of performance and affordability. Conversely, the Find X3 Pro, with its Snapdragon 888, targets a premium experience with top-tier specs. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-around performance and faster charging, the Oppo Find X3 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 888 offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 65W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the vivo S9 presents a compelling value proposition for budget-conscious users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S9 Oppo Find X3 Pro
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2021, March 032021, March 11
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 12Available. Released 2021, March 19
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions158.4 x 73.9 x 7.4 mm (6.24 x 2.91 x 0.29 in)163.6 x 74 x 8.3 mm (6.44 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1440 x 3216 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~525 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+LTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, BT.2020, 500 nits (typ), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1100 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaColor spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF 50 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 110˚ (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF 3 MP, f/3.0, (microscope), AF, ring flash, 60x magnification
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps; gyro-EIS; HDR, 10‑bit video
Selfie camera
Dual44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.3, 105˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, 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
Charging33W wired, 66% in 30 min65W wired, PD, 40% in 10 min 30W wireless, 100% in 80 min 10W reverse wireless
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Gradient BlueGloss Black, Blue, White, Cosmic Mocha, Mars Edition, Photographer Edition
ModelsV2072ACPH2173, PEEM00, OPG03
PriceAbout 390 EURAbout 200 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 81h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.4 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 656467 (v8) GeekBench: 3316 (v5.1) GFXBench: 33fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo S9

  • More affordable price point
  • Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm Dimensity 1100
  • Fast 33W wired charging

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 888
  • Limited detailed specifications available
  • Slower charging than Oppo Find X3 Pro

Oppo Find X3 Pro

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 888
  • Faster 65W wired charging and wireless charging options
  • Higher peak display brightness

  • Higher price tag
  • Potential for thermal throttling under heavy load
  • May require more frequent charging depending on usage

Display Comparison

The Oppo Find X3 Pro boasts a measured peak brightness of 774 nits, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display in direct sunlight compared to the vivo S9 (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize high-refresh-rate OLED panels, the Find X3 Pro’s contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal), indicating deeper blacks and a more immersive viewing experience. The S9’s display specs are less detailed, making a direct comparison challenging, but it likely targets a similar visual quality within its price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are marketed as having strong camera capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Oppo Find X3 Pro likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 888, enabling superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without specific sensor size or aperture data for the vivo S9, it’s difficult to assess its camera capabilities accurately. The Find X3 Pro’s camera system is likely more versatile, offering a wider range of shooting modes and features. We can assume both phones offer photo and video recording, but the quality and features will differ.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Find X3 Pro’s Snapdragon 888 (5nm) features a Cortex-X1 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz, offering a significant performance advantage over the vivo S9’s Dimensity 1100 (6nm). The Snapdragon 888’s architecture, with its faster core and more powerful GPU, translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and superior gaming performance. However, the Snapdragon 888 is known for potential thermal throttling under sustained load, a factor the Dimensity 1100, with its 6nm process, may mitigate to some extent. Both phones utilize an octa-core configuration, but the Snapdragon 888’s core arrangement is geared towards higher peak performance.

Battery Life

The Oppo Find X3 Pro has an endurance rating of 81 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the vivo S9’s battery capacity is unknown, the Find X3 Pro’s 65W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 40% charge in just 10 minutes. The S9’s 33W charging, while respectable, is considerably slower. The Find X3 Pro also supports 30W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging, features absent in the S9. The combination of efficient power management and rapid charging gives the Find X3 Pro a clear edge in usability.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo S9 if you need a capable daily driver with a decent camera and fast charging at a more accessible price point. It’s ideal for social media users, casual gamers, and those who don’t demand the absolute highest performance. Buy the Oppo Find X3 Pro if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like video editing, gaming, and photography, and if you value the convenience of extremely fast charging and a potentially longer software support lifecycle.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 888 in the Oppo Find X3 Pro prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the Snapdragon 888 is known to generate significant heat under sustained load, potentially leading to thermal throttling. While the Find X3 Pro likely incorporates cooling solutions, users may experience reduced performance during prolonged gaming or demanding tasks. The Dimensity 1100 in the vivo S9, with its 6nm process, may offer better thermal efficiency, but at the cost of overall performance.
❓ How does the 33W charging on the vivo S9 compare to the 65W charging on the Oppo Find X3 Pro in real-world usage?
The 65W charging on the Find X3 Pro is significantly faster. It can add 40% charge in just 10 minutes, while the vivo S9’s 33W charging takes considerably longer. This difference is crucial for users who need to quickly top up their battery before leaving home or during short breaks. The Find X3 Pro’s charging speed offers a much more convenient experience.
❓ Does the Oppo Find X3 Pro support software updates for a longer period than the vivo S9?
Generally, Oppo tends to offer longer software support cycles for its flagship devices compared to vivo. While specific update commitments vary, the Find X3 Pro is likely to receive more major Android updates and security patches over its lifespan, making it a more future-proof investment.