iQOO 16 vs vivo X500 Pro: Gaming Flagship Comparison & Price

Build and design

The iQOO is a gaming flagship at 6.85 inches, with a 2K Samsung M16 display, an 8,500 sq mm vapour chamber and IP68/IP69 ratings. The vivo is a compact flagship at 6.36 inches, with a 151.8 x 71.9 x 8.1mm body at 192–197g, IP68/IP69 ratings and a ZEISS camera island. Both phones run OriginOS 7 on Android 17, but only the vivo is a compact phone you can hold easily, while the iQOO is a larger gaming phone.

If you want the smallest flagship with a great camera, the vivo wins on size. If you want the largest display and gaming cooling, the iQOO wins. For most buyers, the vivo is the safer choice in Europe, unless gaming is a priority.

Display and benchmarks

The iQOO offers a 6.85-inch Samsung M16 AMOLED at 3168 x 1440 with up to 165Hz, up to 2,800 nits HBM and 10,000 nits peak local brightness. The vivo offers a 6.36-inch LTPO AMOLED at 2660 x 1216 with adaptive 1–144Hz. For gaming, the iQOO's larger, sharper, higher-refresh display is better on paper, while the vivo's compact display is easier to hold for long sessions. For everyday use, both displays are flagship-grade, with the iQOO winning on size and resolution and the vivo winning on one-handed use.

On benchmarks, the iQOO uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 on 2nm and the vivo uses Dimensity 9600 Pro on 2nm, so the iQOO wins on chip generation on paper. No controlled side-by-side benchmark between these two phones was reviewed, so no speed winner is claimed beyond the generational gap. For gaming, the iQOO's newer chip, Q4 chip and larger vapour chamber should help, while the vivo's chip is proven in reviews.

Cameras and video

The iQOO offers triple 50MP cameras — a main at 1/1.3-inch with OIS, a periscope at 3x with OIS and an ultrawide — plus a 32MP front camera and 8K video. The vivo offers a 50MP main at 1/1.28-inch f/1.57 with ZEISS T* coating, a 64MP APO telephoto at 85mm, 3.5x and f/2.52, and a 50MP ultrawide at f/2.0 with autofocus, plus a 50MP front camera, with 4K up to 240fps, 4K120 AF tracking, 8K30 and 10-bit Log. On paper, the vivo wins on telephoto, ultrawide autofocus and video features, while the iQOO wins on main sensor size.

No controlled side-by-side camera test between these two phones was reviewed, so no photo winner is claimed beyond the hardware gap. If you shoot zoom often, the vivo's 3.5x APO telephoto is stronger on paper. If you shoot at 1x and want gaming hardware, the iQOO is adequate. For video, the vivo's 4K240 and Log features are stronger on paper.

Battery, software and price

Battery is where the iQOO wins on paper, with 8,400mAh and 100W wired and 40W wireless charging, versus the vivo's 6,510mAh typical with 90W wired and 40W wireless charging. For most users, the iQOO will last longer on paper, while the vivo's smaller battery is the trade-off for its compact 192–197g body. Charging is faster on the iQOO on paper, though real-world charging should be checked in reviews.

Software is OriginOS 7 on Android 17 for both phones, with IP68/IP69 for both. In Europe, the vivo is on sale from €1,399 for 12GB/256GB in most global-launch reports, while the iQOO is China-only from CNY 5,999 — a conversion of about $900 is not a Europe price. In the US, neither is officially sold.

Verdict

Buy the vivo X500 Pro if you want a compact ZEISS camera phone in Europe from €1,399. Wait for the iQOO 16 if you want a gaming phone with a 2K 165Hz display and 8,400mAh battery, and check its global launch. For most European buyers, the vivo is the only choice today — the iQOO is a wait-and-see import.