Vivo iQOO 16 vs Vivo X21i
The Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6, while the Vivo X21i (2018) runs on the MediaTek Helio P60. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 30/100 (a 59-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 3425); the main camera is 50 MP vs 12 MP; the Vivo iQOO 16 is faster in AnTuTu (5,498,720 vs 314,537); the Vivo iQOO 16 has NFC for contactless payments, the Vivo X21i doesn't; the Vivo X21i is noticeably lighter (159g vs 223g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Vivo iQOO 16
Vivo X21i
What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5498720 vs 314537
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 341
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 779
- Bigger battery: 8400 vs 3425 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 20/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 15/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 15/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 82/100)
What makes Vivo X21i better?
- Lighter: 159g vs 223g
- Better portability (94/100 vs 42/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Vivo iQOO 16 vs the Vivo X21i, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 59 points higher (89/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (100/100 vs 20/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (78/100 vs 15/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 15/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i (100/100 vs 20/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Vivo X21i (99/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i (78/100 vs 15/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i (90/100 vs 15/100). In the "portability" category, the Vivo X21i significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (94/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Vivo iQOO 16 | Vivo X21i | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | MediaTek Helio P60 | |
| AnTuTu | 5498720 | 314537 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4327 | 341 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 12873 | 779 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.3" Super AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 1440x3168 | 1080x2280 | |
| Refresh rate | 165 Hz | — | |
| Battery | 8400 mAh | 3425 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | — | |
| Wireless charging | 40W | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 24 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 4GB / 6GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 64GB / 128GB | |
| OS | Android 17 | Android 8.1 (Oreo); Funtouch 4 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 6000 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | no | |
| Protection | IP68/IP69 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm | 154.4×75.0×7.0 mm | |
| Weight | 223 g | 159 g | |
| Launch price | $840 | — |
Camera comparison
Vivo iQOO 16
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Vivo X21i
- Main: 12MP f/1.8
- Front: 24MP
Display comparison
Vivo iQOO 16
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 165 Hz
Vivo X21i
- 6.3" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2280
- Refresh rate: —
Battery and charging
Vivo iQOO 16
- 8400 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Vivo X21i
- 3425 mAh
- Wireless charging: no data
Overall performance score
We compared Vivo iQOO 16 and Vivo X21i, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 16 leads Vivo X21i by 1648.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Vivo X21i
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i (100/100 vs 20/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Vivo X21i (99/100 vs 82/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i (78/100 vs 15/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i (90/100 vs 15/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Vivo X21i significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (94/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Vivo iQOO 16 or the Vivo X21i?
The Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Vivo X21i by 59 points (89/100 vs 30/100).
What is the rating of the Vivo iQOO 16 and the Vivo X21i?
The Vivo iQOO 16 has a MobileRank rating of 89/100, the Vivo X21i — 30/100.
Which has the better camera: the Vivo iQOO 16 or the Vivo X21i?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on camera score (78/100 vs 15/100).
Which is more powerful: the Vivo iQOO 16 or the Vivo X21i?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on performance (100/100 vs 20/100).
Should you choose the Vivo iQOO 16 over the Vivo X21i?
The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.