Samsung Galaxy S9 vs Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S9 (2018) runs on the Samsung Exynos 9810, while the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $720 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads — 89/100 vs 32/100 (a 57-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra has the bigger battery (7400 mAh vs 3000); the main camera is 12 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (4,602,290 vs 594,285); the Samsung Galaxy S9 is noticeably lighter (163g vs 227g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S9
Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy S9 better?
- Lighter: 163g vs 227g
- Cheaper at launch: $720 vs $799
- Better portability (76/100 vs 35/100)
What makes Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 4602290 vs 594285
- Better Geekbench Single: 3639 vs 744
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11047 vs 1863
- Bigger battery: 7400 vs 3000 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (99/100 vs 43/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 10/100)
- Longer battery life (92/100 vs 15/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S9 vs the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra scores 57 points higher (89/100 vs 32/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads (99/100 vs 43/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads (78/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads (92/100 vs 15/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S9 — 0/100, Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra — 92/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (99/100 vs 43/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (99/100 vs 51/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (78/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (92/100 vs 15/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S9 significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra (76/100 vs 35/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S9 | Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 9810 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 594285 | 4602290 | |
| Geekbench Single | 744 | 3639 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1863 | 11047 | |
| Display | 5.8" AMOLED | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | |
| Resolution | — | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 3000 mAh | 7400 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 120W | |
| Wireless charging | — | 50W | |
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB | 12GB / 16GB / 24GB | |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 16 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 8000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 158.1×73.8×8.5 mm | 163.7×76.8×8.7 mm | |
| Weight | 163 g | 227 g | |
| Launch price | $720 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S9
- Main: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S9
- 5.8" AMOLED
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 144 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S9
- 3000 mAh
- Wireless: supported, wattage unknown
Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra
- 7400 mAh
- Wired: 120W
- Wireless: 50W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S9 and Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S9 by 87.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $79. Samsung Galaxy S9 was $79 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (99/100 vs 43/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (99/100 vs 51/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (78/100 vs 10/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 (92/100 vs 15/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S9 significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra (76/100 vs 35/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra?
The Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S9 by 57 points (89/100 vs 32/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a MobileRank rating of 32/100, the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra?
The Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads on camera score (78/100 vs 10/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S9 or the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra?
The Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra leads on performance (99/100 vs 43/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S9 over the Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra?
The Vivo iQOO 15 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.