Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iQOO 9 Pro: Which is better

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iQOO 9 Pro: Since the launch of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, phone companies have been busy making phones to utilize the potential of this chip. Today, I’m going to compare the iQOO 9 Pro from Vivo and the Galaxy S22 Ultra from Samsung to see which is better.

The comparison will run through all the specifications of both phones to see which offers better quality and value for money. So, let’s get started.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iQOO 9 Pro

Specifications	Galaxy S22 Ultra	iQOO 9 Pro
Display	6.8-inch, 120Hz	6.78-inch, 120Hz
RAM	8/12GB	8/12GB
Storage	128 – 512GB	128 – 512GB
Back Camera	108 + 10 + 10 + 12MP	50 + 16 + 50MP
Front Camera	40MP	16MP
Chipset	Exynos 2200 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
Software	Android 12	Android 12
Battery	5,000mAh (45W)	4,700mAh (120W)
IP68 Rating	YES	NO
S PEN	YES	NO

Display and Design

On the front side, both phones come with a similar display size of 6.8-inches. Both use the same AMOLED panel, have QHD+ resolution, and feature the 120Hz refresh rate. But, this does not mean both displays are actually the same.

For example, the S22 Ultra screen is brighter and its edges are curved w whole lot more than that of the QOO 9 Pro. In fact, the screen of the Galaxy S22 Ultra wraps around the frame. So, if you’re a lover of curved screens, there is no doubt you’ll love the S22 Ultra more.

As far as the display goes, both phones offer similar display quality. But you have decided how curved you like your screen.

Camera

When it comes to camera the iQOO 9 Pro comes with a total of four (three at the back and one up front). At the rear, it has a 50MP main camera with gimbal stabilization, a 16MP telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, and another 50MP ultra-wide lens. Upfront it features a 16MP selfie camera.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with a total of five cameras (four at the rear and one up front): At the rear, the S22 Ultra has a 108MP main camera Laser AF and OIS, a 10MP periscope telephoto lens with OIS and 10x optical zoom, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with super steady video feature. While upfront it comes with a 40MP main camera.

Vivo did well with the cameras of the iQOO 9 Pro (especially the Gimbal OIS feature) and had it been competing with the camera of other smartphones it might have won. But you see, what Samsung did with the cameras of the Galaxy S22 Ultra takes it miles ahead of the cameras of the iQOO 9 Pro.

The cameras of the Galaxy S22 Ultra does not only provide quality but also bring lots of useful features. For example, it has 10x optical zoom while the iQOO 9 Pro has just 2.5x optical zoom. The S22 Ultra can shoot steady video with its ultra-wide camera but the iQOO 9 Pro can not.

The front camera of the Galaxy S22 Ultra can record video in 4K resolution, that of the iQOO 9 Pro can only record video in 1080p resolution. You can record dual video using the S22 Ultra and so many more. There is no doubt that the better camera smartphone here is the Galaxy S22 Ultra.

Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G

When it comes to performance, both smartphones are very similar. This is because the same chipset powers both smartphones. Inside both phones is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. This means both phones have the same CPU, GPU, ISP, and NPU.

These two phones have support for 5G network connectivity. The RAM inside the iQOO 9 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra is 12GB with storage options ranging from 128 to 512GB. There are rumors of the Galaxy S22 Ultra having a 1TB version (yet to see one though).

As far as performance goes, both phones are expected to deliver on the same level. But, the issue comes to which manages heat better. And so far, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a better heat management system which means the chipset can run for a longer time before it starts slowing down.

Software

Both the iQOO 9 Pro and Galaxy S22 Ultra runs Android 12 out of the box. Samsung has promised 4 years of major software updates for the S22 Ultra. While Vivo has promised three years of software updates for the iQOO 9 Pro.

Samsung is very good at rolling out updates to its smartphones. So, you can expect to get timely security and software updates on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. If there is something interesting about the iQOO 9 Pro, it has to be its battery.

Battery

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with support for a 45W fast charge. The iQOO 9 Pro is powered by a 4,700mAh battery with support for a 120W fast charge. Both phones have support wireless charge tech.

You can charge the battery of the iQOO 9 Pro from 0 to 100% in less than 20 minutes. This is very convenient as you can use and top up the battery in no time. But, the Galaxy S22 Ultra still packs a bigger battery and will last longer.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iQOO 9 Pro: Price

The price of the Galaxy S22 Ultra 8 + 128GB storage option is about $1,199 while the 8 +256GB storage option of the iQOO 9 Pro costs $999.

Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra and iQOO 9 Pro

Galaxy S22 Ultra	Price	iQOO 9 Pro	Price
Buy on Amazon	$1,199	Buy on Giztop	$999

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs iQOO 9 Pro: Verdict

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is better than the iQOO 9 Pro. Allow me to explain. You see, the S22 Ultra has the extra feature you need in a smartphone. It even gives room for more productivity and is more durable. It has an inbuild S PEN, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+, and is water and dust resistant. All these features you won’t get in the iQOO 9 Pro.

So, should you buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra instead of the iQOO 9 Pro? YES. But, if you’re on a tight budget, the iQOO 9 Pro is a good alternative smartphone to buy.

If I’m to score both smartphones, I’ll score the Galaxy S22 Ultra (58%) and the iQOO 9 Pro (42%). The durability, S PEN, and extra camera features make it better than the iQOO 9 Pro.