The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two strong contenders against each other: the Realme Narzo 50 Pro and the vivo iQOO Z7 (China). Both promise impressive features, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7 (China) takes the crown thanks to its blazing-fast 120W charging and a generally more powerful chipset. While the Narzo 50 Pro offers a solid experience, the iQOO Z7's charging speed and performance edge make it the better overall choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 18 | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 26 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 | Android 13, OriginOS 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min | 120W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black | Black, Blue, Orange |
| Models | RMX3395, RMX3396 | V2270A |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 220 EUR |
Realme Narzo 50 Pro
- Good value for money
- Decent camera with 108MP main sensor
- Balanced performance
- Solid build quality
- Slower charging speed
- Performance lags behind iQOO Z7
- Software experience can be improved
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- Powerful Snapdragon 782G chipset
- Smooth performance
- Good display quality
- Camera might not be as detailed as Narzo 50 Pro
- Software can be a bit aggressive with pre-installed apps
- Availability may be limited outside China
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth visuals. However, the iQOO Z7 (China) might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to vivo's display technology. Screen size is likely similar, around 6.4-6.6 inches.
Camera Comparison
The Narzo 50 Pro likely features a 108MP main camera, potentially offering more detail in well-lit conditions. The iQOO Z7 (China) might compensate with better image processing and software features, but the hardware advantage likely lies with the Narzo. Expect both to offer decent ultrawide and macro lenses.
Performance
The iQOO Z7 (China)'s Snapdragon 782G generally outperforms the Dimensity 920 in sustained performance and gaming. The Snapdragon's architecture, with more Cortex-A78 cores, provides a noticeable advantage. The Narzo 50 Pro is still capable, but the iQOO Z7 offers a smoother, faster experience.
Battery Life
This is where the iQOO Z7 (China) absolutely dominates. Its 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly quick top-ups. The Narzo 50 Pro's 33W charging is respectable but significantly slower. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity, around 4500-5000mAh.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo 50 Pro is ideal for users prioritizing a balanced experience with decent performance and a good display, especially if fast charging isn't a top priority. The vivo iQOO Z7 (China) is perfect for power users and those who demand incredibly fast charging and a smoother overall experience, even if it means potentially sacrificing some camera features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO Z7 (China) worth the extra cost?
If fast charging and performance are your priorities, then yes. The 120W charging is a significant advantage, and the Snapdragon 782G offers a noticeable performance boost.
❓ Which phone has better software?
Realme's UI is generally considered cleaner, though both have their quirks. vivo's software can be a bit more aggressive with pre-installed apps.
