The Vivo S9 is the world's first Dimensity 1100-powered phone

Today (March 3, 2021) is a day on which Meizu kicked the major Android phone launch event season in China off with its flagship 18 series. Vivo is another company that has gone in a slightly different way with the S9. This phone has, in accordance with its recent leaks, gone with the Dimensity 1100 processor instead. It has also arrived with its less-expected S9e sibling.

The 1100 is part of MediaTek's latest flagship processor series, and thus offers 6nm architecture and 5G connectivity. Vivo has paired this new prospect with an arguably anachronistic notch wide enough to accommodate a 44+8MP dual front-facing selfie array.

It leaves the S9 recalling an iPhone, something the OEM has shamelessly embraced with the addition of flat edges in this 6.44-inch AMOLED display device. This screen supports HDR10+, a 90Hz refresh rate and the TÜV Rheinland Eye Comfort standard. 

Then again, the S9 is more like an X60-series phone (also from Vivo) from the back, especially given its large square camera hump that houses 64+8+2MP shooters. It has a 4,000mAh battery capacity with the OEM's 33W charging technology.

The S9e, on the other hand, has the more familiar Dimensity 820. It has the S9's display panel (and flat edges), although its notch is a waterdrop-style divot in this case for a single 32MP shooter. It also has rear cameras of the same resolutions as the S9, albeit without OIS for the main sensor. Its 4,100mAh battery also charges at up to 33W, however.

The Vivo S9 has been put up for pre-order already, via stores such as Tmall and JD, as well as the OEM's own store. It starts at 2,999 yuan (~US$464) for a SKU with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, or 3,299 yuan (~$510) for its 12GB/256GB top-end.

The S9e, on the other hand, will be available to book from March 22, 2021, and will cost 2,399 yuan (~$370) for an 8GB/128GB option, or 2,999 yuan (~$417) for its 8/256GB SKU.

Buy the Vivo X60 Pro now on Amazon.com