Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G vs vivo iQOO 3 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Two 5G Contenders

The Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G and vivo iQOO 3 5G represent distinct approaches to delivering 5G connectivity. The Z6 Pro aimed to bring 5G to a wider audience with a competitive price, while the iQOO 3 focused on a more balanced experience with a newer chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the vivo iQOO 3 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Z6 Pro’s Snapdragon 855, and the 55W fast charging is a game-changer. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the iQOO 3’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns.

PHONES
Phone Names Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G vivo iQOO 3 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands41, 78 NSA/Sub61, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G (3.3 Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA41, 77, 78 - India
Launch
Announced2019, June 26. Released 2019, November 152020, February 25. Released 2020, March 04
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.5 x 74.6 x 8.7 mm (6.20 x 2.94 x 0.34 in)158.5 x 74.9 x 9.2 mm (6.24 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)214.5 g (7.58 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Super AMOLED, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 640Adreno 650
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11Android 10, iQOO UI 1.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide) 2 MP, f/1.8, 2.9µm, PDAF, OIS (dedicated video camera) TOF 3D, (depth)48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), AF Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -32-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired55W wired, 50% in 15 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable4400 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, BlueVolcano Orange, Tornado Black, Quantum Silver
Models-V1955A, I1927, I1928
PriceAbout 400 EURAbout 480 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.59 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 118h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 575601 (v8) GeekBench: 13325 (v4.4), 3402 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • 5G connectivity

  • Older Snapdragon 855 chipset
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Limited display brightness information

vivo iQOO 3 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 865 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 55W charging
  • Brighter display (848 nits)

  • Potentially higher price
  • Camera details are sparse
  • Similar battery endurance to Z6 Pro

Display Comparison

The vivo iQOO 3 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 848 nits, compared to the Z6 Pro 5G (brightness data unavailable). This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the iQOO 3’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. Details regarding panel technology (e.g., AMOLED, refresh rate) are missing for both, but the iQOO 3’s brightness suggests a higher-quality panel overall.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the iQOO 3’s higher overall processing power from the Snapdragon 865 likely translates to faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric flagship.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm), while the iQOO 3 5G features the Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+). The Snapdragon 865’s Cortex-A77 CPU cores represent an architectural improvement over the Kryo 485 cores in the 855, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance. The 7nm+ process node further enhances efficiency. While both CPUs share a 2.84 GHz peak clock speed, the iQOO 3 will handle demanding tasks and sustained workloads more effectively. The iQOO 3’s superior GPU will also deliver a better gaming experience.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both phones share an endurance rating of 118 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite the iQOO 3’s more powerful chipset. This indicates efficient power management on the iQOO 3. However, the iQOO 3’s 55W wired charging is a massive advantage, capable of charging to 50% in just 15 minutes, while the Z6 Pro 5G is limited to 18W charging. This difference in charging speed significantly impacts usability and convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lenovo Z6 Pro 5G if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are comfortable with a slightly older chipset. It’s a viable option for everyday tasks and light gaming. Buy the vivo iQOO 3 5G if you demand smoother performance for demanding apps and games, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It’s the better choice for power users and gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the iQOO 3 5G get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 855 in the Z6 Pro 5G during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 865 is more powerful, the 7nm+ process and potentially better thermal management in the iQOO 3 5G should mitigate excessive heat. However, sustained high loads will likely result in some throttling on both devices, but the iQOO 3 will likely maintain higher frame rates for longer.
❓ Is the 55W charging on the iQOO 3 5G compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
vivo typically uses its own proprietary fast charging standard (SuperFlashCharge) which is not fully compatible with standard Power Delivery chargers. While a PD charger *may* provide some charging, it will not reach the full 55W speed. Using the included charger is recommended.
❓ Given the similar battery endurance ratings, does the faster charging of the iQOO 3 5G make a significant difference in daily use?
Absolutely. While both phones last roughly the same on a single charge, the iQOO 3’s 55W charging allows you to quickly top up the battery during short breaks, eliminating range anxiety and ensuring you always have sufficient power when needed. The convenience factor is substantial.