In the realm of midrange devices, few can challenge the might of the IQOO Neo 9 Pro. But can the newly introduced OnePlus Nord 4 measure up to its all-encompassing value proposition? Having delved deeply into both devices, this comparison between the OnePlus Nord 4 and the IQOO Neo 9 Pro aims to guide you in selecting the ideal companion for your tech adventures.
OnePlus Nord 4 vs IQOO Neo 9 Pro: Specs at Glance
Box Contents
Embarking on unboxing rituals with both devices unfurls a treasure trove of delights. Within these boxes lie the essential components – the phone itself, a swift 100 Watts charging brick for OnePlus and a robust 120 Watts counterpart for IQOO. Additionally, transparent silicon cases, SIM ejector pins, manuals, and warranty papers adorn these packages. OnePlus ascends ever so slightly with the inclusion of stickers and a Red Cable Club card, adding a touch of charm to the ensemble.
OnePlus Nord 4 vs IQOO Neo 9 Pro: Build and Design
Each device boasts its unique design ethos. The IQOO Neo 9 Pro sports a red and white stitched leather-like back, while the OnePlus Nord 4 embraces a timeless metal design, a rarity in the contemporary smartphone landscape. Cameras, a pivotal feature, grace the rear of both phones – IQOO opting for a vertical setup and OnePlus adopting a more spread-out horizontal arrangement. Functionality is the mantra as power and volume buttons adorn the right side, a USB-C port and a speaker grille reside at the bottom, and OnePlus’ revered alert slider takes its rightful place on the left, accompanied by the IR blaster. While IQOO’s faux leather back exudes a distinctive allure, the Nord 4’s metal and glass amalgamation exudes a premium essence, providing an ergonomic and quality feel that elevates the user experience.
Winner: OnePlus Nord 4
Display and Speakers
Transitioning to the display realm, both devices sport a 1.5k Full HD+ flat panel. IQOO gains an edge with a higher peak brightness of 3000 nits compared to OnePlus’ 2150 nits, along with a refreshing 144 Hz rate, surpassing OnePlus’ 120 Hz offering. In practical scenarios, IQOO’s display shines brighter, especially under the blazing Delhi sun, offering enhanced visibility. Furthermore, IQOO’s colors pop with vitality, leveraging its expansive 6.78-inch canvas. Conversely, OnePlus’ higher pixel density renders certain objects and colors with enhanced clarity. While IQOO triumphs outdoors, OnePlus delivers a captivating indoor viewing experience.
Winner: IQOO Neo 9 Pro
Software Experience
Embarking on the software escapade, Android 14 awaits users on both devices. FuntouchOS 14 graces the IQOO Neo 9 Pro, promising three major Android updates, while OxygenOS 14.1 adorns the OnePlus Nord 4, offering an extended four-year update cycle. Despite OxygenOS’ clean reputation, the Nord 4 introduces 11 pre-installed apps, paving the path towards a slightly cluttered user experience. FuntouchOS emerges as a smooth and customizable alternative, standing out with its user-centric flair. OxygenOS, while brimming with customizations and AI features, falls short due to its cluttered nature, nudging the scale in favor of FuntouchOS for a refined user journey.
Winner: IQOO Neo 9 Pro
Performance and Benchmarks
Day-to-Day Usage
Embarking on daily ventures, both devices exhibit smooth operation, with the IQOO Neo 9 Pro’s animations exuding an enhanced snappiness. Pushing the devices to their limits unveils their resilient nature, with the Neo 9 Pro showcasing a tad more composure during demanding tasks. Despite both devices performing admirably, instances of OnePlus requiring intermittent respite surfaced, showcasing a slight performance gap between the two. In the realm of daily endeavors, both contenders hold their ground, promising a seamless user experience.
Gaming Performance
When delving into the realm of gaming, the IQOO Neo 9 Pro emerges as the undisputed champion, effortlessly tackling an array of games with finesse. Equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the Neo 9 Pro delivers unparalleled gaming prowess, a testament to its value-driven approach as a formidable gaming companion. OnePlus’ 7+ Gen 3 chipset holds its ground as a mid-range contender, offering respectable gaming performance. While the OnePlus Nord 4 proves competent across most titles, challenging games may exhibit slight hiccups, contrasting the Neo 9 Pro’s smooth gaming performance. The gaming crown firmly rests upon the Neo 9 Pro’s head, solidifying its position as the quintessential gaming device.
Winner: IQOO Neo 9 Pro
Camera and Video
Daytime
In the realm of photography, daylight captures from both devices yield enchanting results, albeit with a hint of inconsistency. The OnePlus Nord 4 gravitates towards vibrant tones, while the IQOO Neo 9 Pro captures natural hues with intricate detail. Instances of role reversal occasionally surface, with IQOO veering towards saturated tones, while Nord 4 emphasizes color vibrancy. Both devices excel in their unique ways, offering a nuanced approach to daylight photography, each with its distinct charm.
Night Time
Navigating the nocturnal landscape, both devices excel in capturing nighttime nuances, courtesy of their OIS capabilities. The flagship IMX 920 sensor embellishing the Neo 9 Pro elevates its night photography prowess, offering refined details and adept handling of light and shadow interplay. The OnePlus Nord 4 holds its ground in nighttime captures, presenting commendable results with a hint of stability concerns. The Neo 9 Pro’s sensor mastery shines through, capturing intricate details and delivering compelling nighttime compositions.
Selfies and Portraits
The 16 MP selfie shooter adorning both devices captures captivating self-portraits, with the IQOO Neo 9 Pro exhibiting a slight edge in detail retention and environmental nuances. Portrait photography unveils OnePlus’ prowess, with post-processing magic enhancing edge delineation and overall aesthetics, a facet appreciated across the ColorOS integration. When venturing into the realm of videos, IQOO’s prowess manifests in its 8K capabilities, juxtaposed against OnePlus’ commendable 4K output. While stabilization concerns arise at 4K, both devices deliver compelling video narratives, with room for refinement in the Nord 4’s video stability trajectory.
Winner: IQOO Neo 9 Pro
Battery and Charging
As the gaming and photography escapades unfold, concerns surrounding battery life surface, driving the spotlight onto the devices’ endurance and charging capabilities. The OnePlus Nord 4 boasts a robust 5500 mAh battery, juxtaposed against the IQOO Neo 9 Pro’s 5160 mAh counterpart. Despite the Nord 4’s larger capacity and mid-range processor, both devices promise a day’s worth of functionality with continuous usage. The Nord 4’s endurance triumphs, offering 7 hours of usage, while the Neo 9 Pro lags slightly at 6 hours of operational capacity. Rapid refueling emerges as a shared forte, with both devices completing a full charge in a mere 20 minutes, amplifying the allure of seamless functionality.
Winner: OnePlus Nord 4
OnePlus Nord 4 vs IQOO Neo 9 Pro: Final Verdict
For ardent gamers and performance aficionados, the IQOO Neo 9 Pro emerges as the pinnacle choice – a device that seamlessly melds robust performance, stellar camera capabilities, vibrant display, and immersive audio prowess, culminating in a captivating tech companion. However, for those sauntering down a lighter path, seeking a well-rounded device that encapsulates essential functionalities without straining the purse strings, the OnePlus Nord 4 beckons – a compact, versatile, and value-driven handset that promises a holistic user experience.
