Realme 9 Pro+ vs vivo Y55s (2021): A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Power

The Realme 9 Pro+ and vivo Y55s (2021) represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Realme aims for a performance-focused experience with a flagship-adjacent Dimensity 920 chipset and blazing-fast 60W charging, while the vivo Y55s prioritizes affordability with a Dimensity 700 and a more conservative charging solution. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Realme 9 Pro+ is the superior choice. Its Dimensity 920 offers a significant performance uplift over the Y55s’ Dimensity 700, and the 60W charging dramatically reduces downtime. While the Y55s is more budget-friendly, the Pro+ delivers a more complete and future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y55s (2021) Realme 9 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
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, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, December 042022, February 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 22Available. Released 2022, February 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions163.9 x 75.3 x 9.2 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.36 in)160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight199.8 g (7.05 oz)182 g (6.42 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, OriginOSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/1.8, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, BDS
Radio-No
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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired60W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 44 min (advertised)
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, PinkMidnight Black, Aurora Green, Sunrise Blue, Free Fire Limited Edition
ModelsV2164ARMX3392, RMX3393
PriceAbout 210 EUR€ 289.90 / $ 390.00 / ₹ 25,999
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)    
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 495096 (v8), 416031 (v9) GeekBench: 2335 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo Y55s (2021)

  • More affordable price point
  • Reliable Mediatek Dimensity 700 chipset for basic tasks
  • Functional and dependable for everyday use

  • Significantly slower charging speed (18W)
  • Less powerful processor for gaming and demanding apps
  • Likely a lower-quality display panel

Realme 9 Pro+

  • Faster and more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 920 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 60W charging with PD3.0 support
  • Potentially superior display quality with VA panel
  • Longer battery endurance (117h rating)

  • Higher price compared to the vivo Y55s
  • May run slightly warmer under heavy load
  • Detailed display specs are missing

Display Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed display specifications for the vivo Y55s. However, given its market positioning, it likely features a standard 60Hz LCD panel. The Realme 9 Pro+, while lacking specifics like peak brightness, benefits from a contrast ratio described as 'Infinite' – suggesting a VA panel offering deeper blacks than a typical IPS LCD. This difference in panel technology, combined with the potential for higher brightness on the Realme, will result in a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate data for the Y55s further highlights the Pro+'s potential advantage, assuming it offers a smoother experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the mention of 'Photo/Video', a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 9 Pro+ likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 920, enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. The Y55s’ ISP, tied to the Dimensity 700, will be less capable. While both phones may feature similar megapixel counts, the Realme’s superior processing power will likely result in better image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The absence of information regarding OIS or sensor size makes a definitive statement impossible, but the chipset advantage leans heavily towards the Realme.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 9 Pro+’s Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y55s’ Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 920 utilizes Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz, compared to the Y55s’ Cortex-A76 cores at 2.2 GHz. This architectural shift, coupled with the smaller 6nm process node, translates to significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. The Dimensity 920 will handle demanding games and multitasking with greater ease, while the Dimensity 700 may struggle with sustained loads. Both phones share 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 efficiency cores, but the 920’s overall processing power is considerably higher.

Battery Life

The Realme 9 Pro+’s 60W wired charging is a game-changer. Advertised to reach 100% in just 44 minutes, it drastically reduces charging times compared to the vivo Y55s’ 18W charging. While the Y55s’ battery capacity isn’t specified, the Realme 9 Pro+ boasts an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting a well-optimized battery life. The faster charging speed of the Realme mitigates any potential disadvantage in battery capacity, making it the more convenient option for users who frequently need to top up their phones.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y55s (2021) if you need a functional, reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the Realme 9 Pro+ if you prioritize faster performance for gaming and demanding apps, value rapid charging, and are willing to spend a bit more for a more refined overall experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 920 in the Realme 9 Pro+ get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Dimensity 700 in the Y55s?
While the Dimensity 920 is more powerful, it also generates more heat. The Realme 9 Pro+ likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate this, but users may experience some warmth during prolonged gaming. The Dimensity 700 in the Y55s will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 60W charging on the Realme 9 Pro+ compatible with all USB-C chargers, or do I need a specific charger to achieve the fastest speeds?
The Realme 9 Pro+ supports PD3.0, meaning it will charge fastest with a Power Delivery (PD) compatible charger. While it will charge with other USB-C chargers, the charging speed will be limited. Using a compatible 60W PD charger is recommended to achieve the advertised 44-minute full charge time.
❓ Given the lack of detailed camera specs for both phones, how much of a difference can I realistically expect in photo quality?
The Realme 9 Pro+ will likely produce better photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. This is due to the superior image processing capabilities of the Dimensity 920’s ISP. While megapixel counts may be similar, the Realme’s processing power will result in sharper images with better dynamic range and reduced noise.