vivo X Note vs vivo X90 Pro+: A Detailed Flagship Showdown

vivo consistently delivers impressive smartphones, and the X Note and X90 Pro+ are prime examples. Both boast premium designs and high-end features, but cater to slightly different audiences. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The vivo X90 Pro+ is the clear winner, thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip, superior camera system (particularly its periscope lens), and refined software experience. While the X Note offers a unique under-display camera and fast charging, the X90 Pro+’s overall performance and camera capabilities make it the better choice.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X Note vivo X90 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2022, April 112022, November 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 15Available. Released 2022, December 06
Body
Build-Glass front, aluminum frame, eco leather back
Dimensions168.8 x 80.3 x 8.4 mm (6.65 x 3.16 x 0.33 in)164.4 x 75.3 x 9.7 mm (6.47 x 2.96 x 0.38 in)
SIMNano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight216 / 221 g (7.62 oz)221 g (7.80 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
Resolution1440 x 3080 pixels (~486 ppi density)1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~517 ppi density)
Size7.0 inches, 121.3 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 730Adreno 740
OSAndroid 12, OriginOS OceanAndroid 13, Funtouch (Global), Origin OS 3 (China)
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Dual-LED flash, panoramaZeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Quad50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 47mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.2µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm50.3 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1.0"-type, 1.6µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, Laser AF, OIS 64 MP, f/3.5, 90mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.6, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.4", 0.7µm, AF, 2x optical zoom, OIS 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, AF
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS, 14-bit RAW video
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, color spectrum
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 32 min 50W wireless 10W reverse wireless80W wired, 100% in 33 min (advertised) 50W wireless Reverse wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, GrayBlack, Red
ModelsV2170AV2227A
PriceAbout 870 EURAbout 1030 EUR

vivo X Note

  • Unique under-display camera
  • Very fast 80W wired charging
  • Premium design
  • Solid overall performance

  • Under-display camera image quality is compromised
  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can throttle under sustained load
  • Camera system not as advanced as X90 Pro+

vivo X90 Pro+

  • Superior Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance
  • Exceptional camera system with periscope lens
  • Excellent display quality
  • Refined software experience

  • Higher price point
  • No reverse wireless charging (wired only)

Display Comparison

Both phones feature excellent AMOLED displays with high refresh rates (likely 120Hz). The X90 Pro+ likely has slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to its more advanced panel technology. The X Note's under-display camera is a novelty, but image quality through it is generally lower than a traditional camera.

Camera Comparison

The X90 Pro+ boasts a significantly more advanced camera system. It features a larger primary sensor, a periscope telephoto lens for impressive zoom capabilities, and improved image processing. The X Note's under-display camera is a unique feature, but its image quality is noticeably inferior to the X90 Pro+'s main and telephoto lenses. Both have excellent selfie cameras.

Performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the X90 Pro+ offers a significant performance boost over the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the X Note. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the X90 Pro+. Both phones have ample RAM for seamless operation.

Battery Life

Both phones offer similar battery capacities and charging speeds. The X90 Pro+'s more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip may result in slightly better battery life under heavy use. Both support 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, with the X Note also offering reverse wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The vivo X Note is a good option for users prioritizing a unique under-display camera experience and very fast wired charging. It's a solid all-arounder. The vivo X90 Pro+ is ideal for photography enthusiasts and power users who demand the best possible performance and camera quality, and are willing to pay a premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the under-display camera on the vivo X Note worth it?
The under-display camera is a novelty, but the image quality is noticeably lower than a traditional camera. It's more of a conversation starter than a practical replacement for a standard selfie camera.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo X90 Pro+ is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and improved thermal management.