vivo X90s vs Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

The vivo X90s and Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate represent distinct approaches to the high-end smartphone market. The X90s aims for a balanced flagship experience with a focus on camera and design, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is unapologetically geared towards mobile gaming, prioritizing performance and features for enthusiasts. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a well-rounded experience with excellent camera capabilities and fast charging, the vivo X90s is the better choice. However, the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate dominates for dedicated mobile gamers, offering superior cooling, gaming-specific features, and sustained performance.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X90s Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 88 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (Up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - China
Launch
Announced2023, June 262023, April 13
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, June 30Available. Released 2023, May
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions164.1 x 74.4 x 8.5 mm or 8.9 mm173 x 77 x 10.3 mm (6.81 x 3.03 x 0.41 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197.5 / 201.5 / 202.2 / 203.5 g (6.98 oz)239 g (8.43 oz)
 -Built-in motorized cooling air vent (AeroActive Portal) IP54 water resistant 2" OLED display (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 165Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM), 1500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X3 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.0 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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUImmortalis-G715 MC11Adreno 740
OSAndroid 13, OriginOS 3Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM512GB 16GB RAM
 -UFS 4.0 NTFS support for external storage
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, Pixel Shift, dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.49", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF, 2x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/2.93", 1.22µm, AF50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS, HDR10+
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 24mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm32 MP, f/2.5, 29mm (wide), 1/3.2", 0.7µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 -32-bit/384kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B2a+B2c), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), DisplayPort 1.4; USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, tri-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 50% in 8 min Reverse wired65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 100% in 42 min 10W reverse wired
Type4810 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Red, GreenStorm White
ModelsV2241HA-
PriceAbout 510 EURAbout 780 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 131h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.5 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 1325105 (v9) GeekBench: 5139 (v5.5), 5567 (v6) GFXBench: 107fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo X90s

  • Incredibly fast 120W charging
  • Likely more compact and ergonomic design
  • Potentially superior camera image processing for natural results

  • May experience thermal throttling during prolonged gaming
  • Chipset may not match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in sustained performance

Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate

  • Unmatched gaming performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • Advanced cooling system prevents throttling
  • Gaming-specific features like AirTriggers and ultrasonic sensors

  • Slower 65W charging compared to the X90s
  • Larger and heavier form factor

Display Comparison

The Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate boasts a measured peak brightness of 1095 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the X90s (brightness data unavailable). Both displays feature infinite (nominal) contrast ratios, typical of OLED panels. While the X90s’ panel specifications are not provided, the ROG Phone’s high refresh rate and optimized response time are geared towards minimizing motion blur during fast-paced gaming. The ROG Phone’s larger size also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience, though the X90s may offer a more comfortable one-handed experience due to its likely smaller dimensions.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are advertised as having capable photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. The X90s, positioned as a flagship, likely prioritizes image processing for natural colors and detail, while the ROG Phone’s camera is likely tuned for quick snapshots and social media sharing. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively assess image quality. The absence of details regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device makes it hard to compare low-light performance. The ROG Phone’s camera is likely a secondary consideration compared to its gaming features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo X90s utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 9200+ (4nm), while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm). Both are built on a 4nm process, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 generally exhibits superior sustained performance and thermal management due to Qualcomm’s optimizations. The ROG Phone’s CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510) includes two additional Cortex-A710 cores compared to the X90s (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-X3, 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715, 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510), potentially offering benefits in multi-threaded tasks. The ROG Phone’s advanced cooling system is crucial for maintaining peak performance during extended gaming sessions, mitigating throttling that the X90s might experience.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 131 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the X90s). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The X90s boasts an impressive 120W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 8 minutes, while the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate is limited to 65W, taking 42 minutes for a full charge. This makes the X90s significantly more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery. Both offer 10W reverse wired charging, a useful feature for charging accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X90s if you need a premium smartphone with a versatile camera system, incredibly fast 120W charging, and a more manageable form factor for everyday use. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate if you prioritize uncompromising gaming performance, extended gaming sessions without throttling, and a feature set tailored specifically to mobile esports, even if it means a larger device and a more aggressive aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 9200+ in the vivo X90s overheat during demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 9200+ is a powerful chip, it's known to generate more heat than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 under sustained load. The X90s may experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to frame rate drops. However, the severity will depend on the game's optimization and ambient temperature.
❓ What are the AirTriggers on the Asus ROG Phone 7 Ultimate, and how do they enhance the gaming experience?
AirTriggers are ultrasonic shoulder buttons on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate that can be mapped to on-screen controls. This allows for more precise and comfortable control in games, simulating the feel of physical triggers. They can be customized for different games and actions, providing a competitive edge.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate slow compared to other flagships?
While 65W isn't the fastest charging available, it's still a respectable speed and will fully charge the phone in approximately 42 minutes. It's a trade-off for the ROG Phone's focus on thermal management and sustained performance, as extremely fast charging can generate additional heat.
❓ Does the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate support high refresh rates (90fps or 120fps) in popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the ROG Phone 7 Ultimate supports high refresh rates in many popular games, including PUBG Mobile. The phone's display and processing power are capable of delivering smooth gameplay at 90fps or even higher, depending on the game's settings and optimization. The Game Genie software allows for fine-tuning of these settings.