vivo S9e vs iPhone 11 Pro Max: A Detailed Showdown

The smartphone market is overflowing with options, making it tough to decide. Today, we're tackling a compelling matchup: the vivo S9e, known for its stylish design and mid-range performance, versus the Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max, a powerhouse with a proven track record. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iPhone 11 Pro Max remains a strong contender thanks to its exceptional battery life, powerful A13 Bionic chip, and premium camera system. While the vivo S9e offers a more budget-friendly option with a decent chipset, the iPhone's overall performance and longevity give it the edge for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo S9e Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
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, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66 - A2218
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA-
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE 1.6 Gbps DL, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71 - A2161, A2220
Launch
Announced2021, March 032019, September 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 27Available. Released 2019, September 20
Body
Build-Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), stainless steel frame
Dimensions159.3 x 74.3 x 7.3 mm / 7.4 mm158 x 77.8 x 8.1 mm (6.22 x 3.06 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China)
Weight168.8 / 171.5 g (5.96 oz)226 g (7.97 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 4m for 30 min) Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
Display
Protection-Scratch-resistant glass
Resolution1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1242 x 2688 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~458 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Hexa-core (2x2.65 GHz Lightning + 4x1.8 GHz Thunder)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 820 (7 nm)Apple A13 Bionic (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G57 MC5Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0iOS 13, upgradable to iOS 26.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 512GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1NVMe
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama)
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm13 MP, f/2.2, PDAF
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 lens12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.4, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.6"
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec.
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.6", 1.0µm SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGLightning, USB 2.0
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, hotspot
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 -Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging33W wiredWired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min Wireless (Qi)
Type4100 mAhLi-Ion 3969 mAh, non-removable (15.04 Wh)
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Starry BlueMatte Space Gray, Matte Silver, Matte Gold, Matte Midnight Green
ModelsV2048AA2218, A2161, A2220, iPhone12,5
PriceAbout 310 EUR$ 233.00 / C$ 369.75 / £ 226.95 / € 249.00
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     1.17 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.95 W/kg (head)     0.99 W/kg (body)
Pricing
256GB 4GB RAM-$ 874.46
512GB 4GB RAM-$ 1,004.31
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 435.00
RENEWED-$ 485.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -81.5dB
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 459713 (v7), 536883 (v8) GeekBench: 13870 (v4.4), 3503 (v5.1) GFXBench: 57fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo S9e

  • Stylish Design
  • Good Value for Money
  • Decent Performance for Everyday Tasks
  • Fast Charging (33W)

  • Less Powerful Chipset
  • Camera Not as Capable as Flagships
  • Battery Life Not as Long as iPhone
  • Limited Availability in Some Regions

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max

  • Exceptional Performance (A13 Bionic)
  • Outstanding Battery Life
  • Premium Camera System
  • Excellent Display
  • Strong Resale Value

  • High Price
  • Older Model
  • No Expandable Storage
  • Charging Speed Could Be Faster

Display Comparison

The iPhone 11 Pro Max boasts a stunning Super Retina XDR display with incredible brightness (820 nits) and a near-infinite contrast ratio, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The vivo S9e likely has a good AMOLED display, but it probably won't match the iPhone's peak brightness or color accuracy. The iPhone's display is the clear winner here.

Camera Comparison

The iPhone 11 Pro Max's camera system is renowned for its image quality, offering excellent detail, dynamic range, and low-light performance. It also excels in video recording. The vivo S9e likely has a capable camera setup, potentially with a focus on selfie capabilities, but it's unlikely to match the iPhone's overall camera prowess.

Performance

Apple's A13 Bionic chip in the iPhone 11 Pro Max is significantly more powerful than the Mediatek Dimensity 820 in the vivo S9e. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the iPhone. While the Dimensity 820 is capable, it simply can't compete with Apple's silicon.

Battery Life

The iPhone 11 Pro Max shines with its exceptional battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 102 hours. The vivo S9e's battery life is likely decent, but it won't reach the iPhone's impressive longevity. This is a major advantage for the iPhone.

Buying Guide

The vivo S9e is ideal for budget-conscious users who prioritize aesthetics and a smooth, everyday experience. The iPhone 11 Pro Max is perfect for those who demand top-tier performance, a long-lasting battery, and a premium camera, and are willing to invest.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the vivo S9e a good phone for gaming?
The vivo S9e can handle casual games, but demanding titles might struggle due to the less powerful chipset compared to the iPhone 11 Pro Max.
❓ How much storage do I need?
The iPhone 11 Pro Max offers up to 512GB of storage, while the vivo S9e's storage options are likely lower. Consider your storage needs for photos, videos, and apps when making your decision.