iQOO Neo 9 Pro vs POCO X6 Pro: Gaming Faceoff

Published On: March 1, 2024

JOIN US

If you’re scouting for a new gaming smartphone in the Rs 25,000 to Rs 35,000 ballpark, consider the recently dropped iQOO Neo 9 Pro and the POCO X6 Pro. Both pack a punch on paper, but nailing down the real-world gaming experience ain’t as simple as specs. We dug deep, running games like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact on both.

Before we dive into the gaming trials, let’s swiftly break down the key specs and prices of both these devices:

Specs	iQOO Neo 9 Pro	POCO X6 Pro
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2	MediaTek Dimensity 8300 Ultra
RAM/Storage	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage	Up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.0 storage
GPU	Adreno 740 GPU and iQOO Q1 Supercomputing chip	ARM Mali G615 GPU
OS	FunTouchOS 14, based on Android 14	HyperOS based on Android 14
Price	Starts at Rs 35,999	Starts at Rs 24,999

Table of Contents

iQOO Neo 9 Pro vs POCO X6 Pro: BGMI Gameplay

iQOO Neo 9 Pro: The smartphone cranks it up to Ultra HDR graphics and frame rates. In our gaming session, things flowed smoothly, maintaining a consistent 39 to 40 FPS, with only a minor dip to 37 FPS in one instance. After half an hour of BGMI, the Neo 9 Pro clocked in at around 36 to 37 degrees Celsius, dropping the battery from 100% to 85%. An hour into different gaming settings, it held steady at around 37 degrees Celsius, with the battery level at 76%.
POCO X6 Pro: Equipped with Ultra HDR graphics and Ultra Frame rate, the handset mirrored the iQOO Neo 9 Pro’s performance, maintaining a reliable 39 to 40 FPS without any noticeable frame drops. After half an hour of BGMI, the device recorded a temperature of around 32 to 33 degrees Celsius, with the battery percentage slipping from 100% to 87%. After an hour, the POCO X6 Pro stabilised at approximately 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, with the battery at 74%.

Initial gameplay on both devices unfolded seamlessly, devoid of significant lags or frame drops. Despite the iQOO Neo 9 Pro warming up and experiencing a swift battery drain initially, it established a sustained battery life after an hour. In contrast, the POCO X6 Pro showcased a commendable maximum of 57 to 53 FPS, maintaining smooth gameplay and consistent temperature.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro vs POCO X6 Pro: Call of Duty Mobile Gameplay

iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Engaging in a Team Deathmatch on Call of Duty Mobile with Very High and Max graphics quality, the Neo 9 Pro showcased its prowess. After half an hour of gameplay, the battery level stood at 64%, and the temperature dropped to approximately 35 to 36 degrees celsius.
POCO X6 Pro: Rolling with the X6 Pro in the same gaming setup of Very High and Max graphics, the device maintained a cool temperature of around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius. The battery dropped by more than 10%, reaching 61%.

Both smartphones fell short of handling Ultra graphics on Call of Duty Mobile, automatically reverting to Very High and Max settings. After a cumulative 2-hour gaming stint, they showcased significantly declined battery levels. However, in terms of performance, there were no notable issues on either phone – no significant frame drops, lag, or other concerns.

iQOO Neo 9 Pro vs POCO X6 Pro: Genshin Impact Gameplay

iQOO Neo 9 Pro: Taking on the challenge of Genshin Impact at its highest settings, the Neo 9 Pro consistently delivered an impressive 30 FPS. After a solid half-hour gaming session, the device exhibited a slightly more relaxed demeanour, maintaining a temperature range of around 34 to 35 degrees Celsius. In terms of the battery, it decreased to 57%.
POCO X6 Pro: Transitioning to the X6 Pro, we enjoyed a similarly smooth experience with Genshin Impact at a steady 30 FPS on the highest settings. However, the smartphone experienced a bit of warmth, registering a temperature of about 35 to 36 degrees Celsius after half an hour of gameplay. The battery level was 50%, 7% lower than the iQOO Neo 9 Pro.

Both smartphones handled Genshin Impact admirably, showing no significant frame drops or lag. Notably, on the iQOO Neo 9 Pro at 60 FPS, the overall game quality exhibited surprising improvement with enhanced colours and smooth performance. However, after nearly two hours of total gaming on both devices, the battery depletion reached around half, a factor worth considering.

Verdict

The POCO X6 Pro emerges as a more value-for-money, performance-centric smartphone.

The iQOO Neo 9 Pro demonstrated impressive consistency, exhibiting no significant drops or lag even after an uninterrupted two-hour gaming session. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 powering the device showcased stellar performance, complemented by equally impressive software optimisation, making it a well-rounded package.

In contrast, the POCO X6 Pro delivered remarkable performance, considering its nearly Rs 10,000 lower price tag than the iQOO Neo 9 Pro. It handled all three games admirably, with no notable lag or frame drops.

Ultimately, it depends upon your budget. While the iQOO Neo 9 Pro positions itself on the premium end of the spectrum, offering a power-packed performance, the POCO X6 Pro is perfect for those looking for a VFM, gaming-oriented smartphone.