Despite it looks very elegant just like normal flagship phones, the first phone from the new Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO is a gaming-centric device, as stated by the company. Indeed, it has plenty of technologies that are meant to enhance performance while playing games. That is why it is natural comparing it with the latest gaming smartphones released by other companies. In this article, we will offer you an in depth specs comparison between the new beast, Xiaomi Black Shark Helo and Nubia Red Magic Mars which recently hitten the European market after an initial release in China. We still do not know whether or not iQOO will follow the same legacy, but this comparison should leave no doubts about which phone is perfect for your needs.
Vivo iQOO vs Xiaomi Black Shark Helo vs Nubia Red Magic Mars
| Vivo iQOO | Xiaomi Black Shark Helo | Nubia Red Magic Mars | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 157.7 x 75.2 x 8.5 mm | 160 x 75.2 x 8.7 mm, 190 grams | 158.2 x 75 x 9.9 mm, 193 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.41 inches, 1080 x 2340p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, AMOLED | 6.01 inches, 1080 x 2160p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, AMOLED | 6.0 inches, 1080 x 2160p (Full HD+), 402 ppi, LTPS IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, octa-core 2.8 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, octa-core 2.8 GHz |
| MEMORY | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 256 GB – 12 GB RAM, 256 GB | 6 GB RAM, 128 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 10 GB RAM, 256 GB | 6 GB RAM, 64 GB – 8 GB RAM, 128 GB – 10 GB RAM, 256 GB |
| SOFTWARE | Android 9 Pie, Funtouch OS | Android 8 Oreo | Android 9 Pie, Nubia Red Magic OS |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS |
| CAMERA | Triple 12 + 13 + 2 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 12 MP front camera |
Dual 12 + 20 f/1.8 and f/1.8 20 MP f/2.2 front camera |
16 MP f/1.8 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 4000 mAh, Fast Charging 44W | 4000 mAh, Fast Charging with Quick Charge 3.0 | 3800 mAh, Fast Charging 16W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Dual SIM slot, in-display fingerprint reader | Dual SIM slot, LED logo and strips | Dual SIM slot, LED strips and rear phyisical keys |
Design
As we said above, Vivo iQOO is the handset that looks more like a normal flagship phone instead of a gaming device. And it is much more elegant, it has a wonderful glass back as well as a higher screen-to-body ratio. So if you do not want to distinguish yourself as an advanced gamer and you just want a normal phone with gaming capabilities, go for the iOOO. If you are looking for a gaming-centric design, then Nubia Red Magic Mars and Black Shark Helo are better for you. The former has an RGB LED strip and physical keys on the back that are very useful while playing games, while the latter has LED strips at the sides and it supports a detachable controller.
Display
Xiaomi Black Shark Helo’s display should deliver a better viewing quality. It comes with 100 percent DCI-P3 coverage, so its color reproduction should be better. Further, it has no notch unlike the Vivo iQOO, and it comes with an 18:9 aspect ratio: I define these things better for people who often play games. Indeed, a very tall screen and the notch may represent a disadvantage in some games. Nubia Red Magic Mars has a good display too for games, that is also scratch resistant thanks to the Dinorex technology by NEG. However, it is just an average panel when it comes to quality. Vivo iQOO is the only with a UD fingerprint reader, but it is not that useful for a gamer.
Specs & Software
Here Vivo iQOO wins because it is equipped with a stronger chipset: the new Snapdragon 855 by Qualcomm that is up to 45 percent faster than its predecessor Snapdragon 845 found on the Xiaomi Black Shark Helo and Nubia Red Magic Mars. Last but not least, Vivo iQOO has up to 12 GB of RAM while its rivals stop at 10 GB. Vivo iQOO is also equipped with interesting gaming-centric technologies such as Net Turbo seamlessly switching between Wi-Fi and 4G when needed in order to offer better gaming performance, Cooling Turbo to avoid heating issues and Center turbo to boost app startup and frame rate.
Camera
Given that it comes with a triple camera setup including an ultrawide sensor and a depth sensor, Vivo iQOO should be able to shoot more interesting photos. But Xiaomi Black Shark Helo is all but a joke as a camera phone, thanks to its bright dual camera including a telephoto lens for 2x optical zoom. Nubia Red Magic Mars is not an excellent camera phone and it comes with a midrange-class setup consisting of a single 16 MP rear camera and a classic 8 MP selfie snapper. Do not expect so much from it.
Battery
Thanks to its big 4000 mAh battery and its efficient Snapdragon 855 chipset, we believe that Vivo iQOO should deliver a longer battery life. But its opponent should not be far away as their battery capacity is high as well. Vivo iQOO is also better when it comes to fast charging: thanks to its fast charging technology it can go up to 50 percent in just 15 minutes and it can fully charge in just 45 minutes. Note that the base version with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage has a slower charging technology.
Price
The new Vivo iQOO debuted with a price tag of just €400 (translating into $455 at the actual change) and it wins this comparison for its better hardware, software technologies, and overall specs. Xiaomi Black Shark and Nubia Red Magic Mars have listing prices of about €450 and €420, respectively, that is equivalent to about $511 and $477.
Vivo iQOO vs Xiaomi Black Shark Helo vs Nubia Red Magic Mars: PROs and CONS
Nubia Red Magic Mars
PROs
- Physical keys on the back
- Great hardware and cooling system
- Affordable price
- Wide availability
CONS
- Smaller battery
Xiaomi Black Shark Helo
PROs
- Good display
- Affordable price
- Big battery
- Stereo speakers
CONS
- Uglier design (tastes)
Vivo iQOO
PROs
- Best (but not so gaming-centric) design
- Better hardware + cooling system
- In-display fingerprint reader
- Big battery and very fast charging
CONS
- Notched display
