RAG Demo

Tag: Flagship value

  • iQOO 12

    iQOO launched the iQOO 12 in India in December 2023, again beating rivals to the newest Qualcomm flagship chip, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. It continued the brand's formula of high performance at a lower price, competing directly with the OnePlus 12, Xiaomi 14 and Samsung Galaxy S24. The Legend edition's BMW M Motorsport stripes returned.

    The 6.78-inch AMOLED display runs at up to 144Hz with a 1260 x 2800 resolution, slightly lower than the iQOO 11's 2K panel but brighter. Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance was excellent, and iQOO's Q1 supercomputing chip helped with gaming frame rates and resolution upscaling. Thermals held up well in long gaming sessions. Funtouch OS 14 included a dedicated game mode and performance controls.

    The camera setup was a big upgrade: a 50 MP main with OIS, a 50 MP ultrawide and a 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto. Zoom photos were impressive for the price. The 5,000 mAh battery with 120W charging refills very quickly, though wireless charging is absent. Against the OnePlus 12, it was cheaper and faster to charge, while OnePlus offered wireless charging and a sharper display.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 52,999 (base variant)
    India launchDecember 2023
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, AMOLED, 144Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
    RAM12 GB / 16 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main with OIS + 50 MP ultrawide + 64 MP 3x periscope telephoto
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging120W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursLegend, Alpha

    What we like

    • First Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phone in India
    • 64 MP periscope telephoto
    • 144Hz bright AMOLED display
    • 120W fast charging

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • Lower resolution than the iQOO 11
    • Funtouch OS bloatware

    Who should buy it

    Gamers and enthusiasts who want the latest flagship chip and a zoom camera without overspending.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (December 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Vivo X100

    Vivo brought the X100 to India in January 2024 as the more accessible sibling of the X100 Pro. It used the same flagship Dimensity 9300 chip and Zeiss branding, but swapped the 1-inch sensor for a smaller main camera and added a 64 MP telephoto periscope. It competed directly with the OnePlus 12, iQOO 12 and Samsung Galaxy S24 in the 60,000 to 80,000 rupee range.

    The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display offers 120Hz refresh and high peak brightness, and the curved edges give it a refined look. Dimensity 9300's all-big-core design delivers performance on par with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 rivals, and sustained gaming was strong. Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14 was functional, though it lacked the polish of Samsung's One UI and still shipped with extra apps.

    The camera system is versatile: a 50 MP main sensor, a 50 MP ultrawide and a 64 MP 3x telephoto that delivers good zoom and portrait shots. The 5,000 mAh battery with 120W charging is faster than the OnePlus 12's 80W, but wireless charging is absent, which the OnePlus and Galaxy S24 both offered. For buyers who wanted a capable telephoto camera and flagship speed at a lower price, it was an appealing choice.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 63,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2024
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.78-inch, Curved AMOLED, LTPO, 120Hz, 1260 x 2800
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 9300
    RAM12 GB / 16 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main + 50 MP ultrawide + 64 MP 3x telephoto
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging120W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, Funtouch OS 14
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursAsteroid Black, Stargaze Blue

    What we like

    • Dimensity 9300 flagship performance
    • Versatile camera with 3x telephoto
    • 120W fast charging
    • IP68 rating

    What could be better

    • No wireless charging
    • Funtouch OS feels cluttered
    • Main sensor smaller than the Pro's

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want flagship performance and a capable zoom camera without paying Pro-level prices.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.