Redmi Note 8 Pro is the immovable object in the new AnTuTu Android smartphone price-performance charts as the iQOO 5 Pro becomes the unstoppable force

AnTuTu has published its Android smartphone price-performance charts for September, and it appears that nothing can remove the Redmi Note 8 Pro from its rock-solid position at the top of the table for devices costing 0-1,499 yuan (US$0-US$222). Looking at the scores given to the smartphones, at the moment it’s only the Redmi 9 that comes within touching distance of the Redmi Note 8 Pro, although it’s only a matter of time before another device, likely from Xiaomi/Redmi, finally forces the Note 8 Pro to relent its position.

Redmi dominates the budget end of the five tables, with four devices in the first chart and a further four smartphones in the second chart (including the leader with the Redmi 10X 5G). However, while it wasn’t that long ago that it was Redmi and Xiaomi basically leading the majority of the charts, it’s now iQOO that has taken up this role. The Chinese smartphone maker, which is often called a sub-brand of Vivo but is really one of BBK Electronics’ many IPs in this sector, has devices that top the three charts from mid-range to premium flagship.

The iQOO Z1 and iQOO 3 top their respective charts, but it is the iQOO 5 Pro that deserves a closer look here. Not only has this smartphone pinched the lead in AnTuTu’s flagship performance chart for this month, but it has also taken the main spot here too thanks to the price a user has to pay for the high performance it offers. Nestled comfortably in the more than 4,500 yuan (US$668) table, the iQOO 5 Pro (8 GB + 256 GB) costs from 4,998 yuan (US$741) from the company's official webstore. In contrast, the second and third positioned Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra (8 GB + 128 GB) and Mi 10 Pro (8 GB + 256 GB) are priced at 5,299 yuan (US$786) and 4,999 yuan (US$742), respectively.

Considering the minimal price difference, some might wonder why the Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro is placed lower than the iQOO 5 Pro. Both smartphones utilize a Snapdragon 865, but the Mi 10 Pro has much more powerful camera equipment and main sensor (108 MP vs. 50 MP) and a larger battery capacity (4,500 mAh vs. 4,000 mAh). But the iQOO 5 Pro trumps the Xiaomi rival with slightly more updated UFS storage (3.1 vs. 3.0), a higher display refresh rate (120 Hz vs. 90 Hz), and last but not least, it has a terrific unique selling point with its 120 W fast charging ability that fills the battery to 100% in just 15 minutes.