Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro Review

Price
Indian Rupee34,999

Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro Review

Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro Review

Introduction

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is the latest flagship smartphone from Vivo's sub-brand iQOO, which focuses on gaming and performance. The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro was launched in February 2024, as the upgraded version of the Vivo iQOO Neo9, which was released in December 2023. The iQOO Neo9 Pro offers a lot of improvements and enhancements over its predecessor, such as a bigger and better display, a newer and faster processor, a 50 MP rear camera, a 16 MP selfie camera, a 120W fast charging technology, and a 5G connectivity.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is aimed at gamers and enthusiasts, who want a premium and powerful smartphone that can handle any task and game with ease and speed. The iQOO Neo9 Pro has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, with a 144Hz refresh rate and an adaptive display feature. It has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which is the most advanced processor from Qualcomm, based on a 4nm process. It has up to 12GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. It has a 5160mAh battery, which can charge from 0% to 100% in just 15 minutes, using the 120W charger and cable. It runs on Android 14 with Funtouch 14 skin on top.

Design

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is designed to offer a premium and powerful experience for gamers and enthusiasts. It features a sleek and futuristic design, a high refresh rate and adaptive display, a vapor chamber cooling system, a 120W fast charging technology, and a stereo speaker system. It also supports 5G connectivity, NFC, infrared, and an in-display fingerprint scanner. The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is available in two colors: Fiery Red, and Conqueror Black.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has a glass front and back, or a silicone polymer back for the Fiery Red variant. The frame is made of plastic, which may not feel as premium as metal, but it helps reduce the weight of the device. The iQOO Neo9 Pro weighs 190g or 196g, depending on the variant, and measures 163.5 x 75.7 x 8.0 mm or 8.3 mm. It is not very thin or light, but it is comfortable to hold and use.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has a minimalist and elegant design, with a curved display and a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The back panel has a glossy or matte finish, depending on the color, and a rectangular camera module that houses the dual rear cameras and the LED flash. The iQOO logo is also engraved on the back. The iQOO Neo9 Pro has a USB Type-C port, a SIM tray, a microphone, and a speaker grille at the bottom, and another microphone and an infrared port at the top. The power button and the volume rocker are on the right side, while the left side is bare.

Technical Specifications:

Form FactorCandybar, Touchscreen
Dimensions163.5 x 75.7 x 8.0 mm or 8.3 mm
Weight190 g or 196 g (6.70 oz)
BuildGlass front, glass back or silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame

IP54, dust and splash resistant
ColorsFiery Red, Conqueror Black
ModelsI2304

Display

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display, with a resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels and an aspect ratio of 20:9. The display has a pixel density of 453 ppi, which makes it sharp and clear. The display also supports 144Hz refresh rate, which makes it smooth and responsive, and HDR10+, which makes it vibrant and contrasty. The display can also adjust its refresh rate dynamically, from 1 Hz to 144Hz, depending on the content and the battery level, to save power and optimize performance.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro's display is one of its main attractions, as it offers a stunning and immersive viewing experience. The display has a peak brightness of 3000 nits, which makes it visible even under direct sunlight, and a DCI-P3 color gamut, which makes it accurate and realistic. The display also has a tempered glass protection, an always-on display feature, and a DC dimming feature, which reduces eye strain and flickering. The display also has an in-display fingerprint scanner, which is fast and reliable. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's display is ideal for gaming, watching videos, browsing, and reading.

Technical Specifications:

TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Size6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~453 ppi density)
ProtectionSchott Xensation Up

Camera

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 50 MP primary camera and an 8 MP ultra-wide camera. The primary camera has an f/1.9 aperture, a 1/1.49" sensor size, a 1.0µm pixel size, and a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) system. The ultra-wide camera has an f/2.2 aperture, a 1/4.0" sensor size, a 1.12µm pixel size, and a 120° field of view. The rear cameras can record videos up to 4K resolution at 60 fps, with electronic image stabilization (EIS) and gyro-EIS. The rear cameras also support HDR, panorama, night mode, portrait mode, and various filters and modes.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has a 16 MP selfie camera, with an f/2.5 aperture, a 1/3.06" sensor size, a 1.0µm pixel size, and a fixed focus system. The selfie camera can record videos up to 1080p resolution at 30 fps, with EIS. The selfie camera also supports HDR, beauty mode, and various filters and modes.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro's camera performance is impressive and versatile, as it can capture detailed and vivid photos and videos in various scenarios and lighting conditions. The primary camera can produce sharp and natural images, with accurate colors and exposure. The ultra-wide camera can capture more of the scene, with minimal distortion and noise. The selfie camera can take flattering and smooth selfies, with good skin tones and bokeh effect. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's camera also has a fast and accurate autofocus system, a quick shutter speed, and a user-friendly interface.

Technical Specifications:

Main CameraPrimary: 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.49", PDAF, OIS

Secondary: 8 MP, f/2.2, 119" (ultrawide)
Camera FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video8K@30fps, 4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS
Selfie Camera16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.1"

Video: 1080p@30fps

Hardware

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which is the latest and most advanced processor from Qualcomm. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is an octa-core processor, along an Adreno 740 GPU. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is based on a 4 nm process, which makes it more efficient and powerful than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 888.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has up to 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage. The iQOO Neo9 Pro also has a vapor chamber cooling system, which helps dissipate the heat generated by the processor and the GPU, and prevent thermal throttling and performance degradation. The iQOO Neo9 Pro also has a dedicated gaming mode, which optimizes the CPU, GPU, RAM, and network performance, and blocks notifications and calls, for a smooth and uninterrupted gaming experience.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro's hardware configuration is top-notch and cutting-edge, as it can handle any task and game with ease and speed. The iQOO Neo9 Pro can run multiple apps and tabs without lag or stutter, and switch between them seamlessly. The iQOO Neo9 Pro can also run high-end games, such as PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact, at high settings and frame rates, without overheating or dropping frames. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's hardware also supports 5G connectivity, which enables faster and more stable internet access and data transfer.

Technical Specifications:

Internal Memory128GB ROM, 8GB RAM

256GB ROM, 8GB RAM

256GB ROM, 12GB RAM
Storage TypeUFS 4.0
Card SlotNo
ChipsetQualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
GPUAdreno 740
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical)

Accelerometer

Gyro

Proximity

Compass
SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
SpeakersYes, with stereo speakers (closed type)
Audio JackNo

Software

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro runs on Android 14, which is the latest and most secure version of the Android operating system. Android 14 offers a smooth and intuitive user interface, with improved privacy and security features, such as the Privacy Dashboard, the App Hibernation, and the One-Time Permissions. Android 14 also offers new and enhanced features, such as the Material You design, the Live Translate, and the Scrolling Screenshots.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro also has Funtouch 14, which is the custom skin from Vivo, on top of Android 14. Funtouch 14 adds some extra features and customization options to the Android 14, such as the Jovi Smart Assistant, the Ultra Game Mode, the Multi-Turbo 5.0, and the iQOO UI. Funtouch 14 also has a different icon pack, theme, and launcher, from the stock Android 14, which may appeal to some users, but may annoy others.

The iQOO Neo9 Pro's software performance is smooth and stable, as it can run the Android 14 and the Funtouch 14 without any bugs or glitches. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's software also offers a lot of features and options, which can enhance the user experience and functionality. However, the iQOO Neo9 Pro's software also has some drawbacks, such as the bloatware, the ads, and the notifications, which can clutter the interface and affect the performance. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's software also may not receive timely and regular updates, as Vivo is not known for its software support.

Technical Specifications:

Operating System (OS)Android OS, v14
UIFuntouch 14

Battery

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro has a 5160 mAh battery, which is a large and sufficient battery capacity for a flagship smartphone. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's battery can provide a long and lasting battery life, which can last for a whole day or more, depending on the usage and settings. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's battery can also support various battery modes and features, such as the Power Saving Mode, the Super Power Saving Mode, the Battery Health, and the Reverse Charging.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro's battery also supports a 120W fast charging technology, which is one of the fastest and most advanced charging technologies in the market. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's battery can charge from 0% to 100% in just 15 minutes, or from 0% to 50% in just 5 minutes, using the 120W charger and cable that come with the box. The iQOO Neo9 Pro's battery also supports a 50W wireless charging technology, which can charge from 0% to 100% in just 30 minutes, or from 0% to 50% in just 12 minutes, using a compatible wireless charger and pad.

Technical Specifications:

Battery TypeLi-Po 5160 mAh, non-removable
Charging120W wired, 50% in 11 min (advertised)

Reverse wired

Final Verdict

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is a flagship smartphone that offers a premium and powerful experience for gamers and enthusiasts. It has a stunning and immersive display, a cutting-edge and efficient processor, a versatile and impressive camera, a large and fast battery, and a smooth and intuitive software. It also has a sleek and futuristic design, a vapor chamber cooling system, a stereo speaker system, and a 5G connectivity. It is available in two colors: Fiery Red, and Conqueror Black.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is not a perfect smartphone, as it has some drawbacks and limitations, such as the plastic frame, the bloatware, the ads, the notifications, and the software support. It is also not a cheap smartphone, as it has a high and premium price, which may not be affordable or reasonable for some users. It is also not a widely available smartphone, as it is only sold in some regions and markets, such as China, India, and Southeast Asia.

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is a flagship smartphone that is worth considering and buying, if you are looking for a flagship smartphone that can offer a premium and powerful experience for gaming and other tasks. The iQOO Neo9 Pro is a smartphone that can deliver a stunning and immersive display, a cutting-edge and efficient processor, a versatile and impressive camera, a large and fast battery, and a smooth and intuitive software. It also has some unique and attractive features, such as the vapor chamber cooling system, the stereo speaker system, and the 5G connectivity. However, you should also be aware of the drawbacks and limitations of the iQOO Neo9 Pro, such as the plastic frame, the bloatware, the ads, the notifications, and the software support. You should also consider the price and availability of the iQOO Neo9 Pro, which may vary depending on your region and market. The iQOO Neo9 Pro is a flagship smartphone that is worth considering and buying, but it is not a perfect smartphone, and it may not suit everyone&rsquos needs and preferences.

Pros:

  • Stunning and immersive display
  • Cutting-edge and efficient processor
  • Versatile and impressive camera
  • Large and fast battery
  • Smooth and intuitive software
  • Sleek and futuristic design
  • Vapor chamber cooling system
  • Stereo speaker system
  • 5G connectivity

Cons:

  • Plastic frame
  • Bloatware
  • Ads
  • Notifications
  • Software support
  • High and premium price
  • Limited availability

The Vivo iQOO Neo9 Pro is rated 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on the average of the following criteria:

  • Display: 5/5
  • Processor: 5/5
  • Camera: 4/5
  • Battery: 5/5
  • Software: 4/5
  • Design: 4/5
  • Price: 4/5
  • Availability: 3/5