The Realme Neo7 SE and vivo iQOO Neo 6 represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. The Neo7 SE brings a newer chipset in the form of the Mediatek Dimensity 8400 Max, while the iQOO Neo 6 leverages the well-established Snapdragon 870. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme Neo7 SE emerges as the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 8400 Max offers a performance edge, particularly in demanding tasks, and the 80W charging is competitive. While the iQOO Neo 6 boasts excellent battery endurance and a bright display, the Neo7 SE’s newer architecture provides a future-proofed advantage.
| 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 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, February 25 | 2022, May 31 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, February 25 | Available. Released 2022, May 31 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.5 x 76.3 x 8.6 mm (6.40 x 3.00 x 0.34 in) | 163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212 g (7.48 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Crystal Armor glass | - |
| Resolution | 1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR, 1600 nits (HBM), 6000 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.25 GHz Cortex-A725 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A725 & 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A725) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8400 Max (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G720 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 15, Realme UI 6.0 | Android 12, Funtouch 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | Color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE (planned upgrade to 6.0) | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 23 min to 50% | 80W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min |
| Type | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, White, Black | Dark Nova, Cyber Rage |
| Models | - | I2126 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 97h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.0 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 627246 (v8), 730223 (v9)
GeekBench: 3076 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Neo7 SE
- More powerful Dimensity 8400 Max chipset
- Potentially better thermal management due to 4nm process
- Likely to offer smoother performance in demanding games
- Charging speed is slower than iQOO Neo 6
- Battery life is unknown, potentially lower than iQOO Neo 6
vivo iQOO Neo 6
- Excellent battery endurance (97h rating)
- Faster 80W charging (12 min to 50%, 32 min to 100%)
- Bright display (772 nits)
- Older Snapdragon 870 chipset
- 7nm process node less efficient than 4nm
Display Comparison
The iQOO Neo 6 features a display capable of reaching 772 nits of peak brightness, ensuring good visibility outdoors. While the Neo7 SE’s display specs are not provided, Realme typically prioritizes high refresh rates in this segment. The Neo 6’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard AMOLED panel. The Neo7 SE’s display technology is unknown, but a comparable AMOLED panel is expected. The Neo 6’s brightness is a known quantity, giving it an edge for outdoor use, assuming the Neo7 SE doesn’t exceed it.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature a primary camera capable of producing good quality images in favorable lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to be a significant selling point. Image processing style will likely differentiate the two, with Realme often favoring vibrant colors and iQOO aiming for more natural tones.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The Realme Neo7 SE’s Mediatek Dimensity 8400 Max (4nm) is architecturally superior to the iQOO Neo 6’s Snapdragon 870 (7nm). The 4nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and thermal management, potentially leading to sustained performance during extended gaming sessions. The Dimensity 8400 Max’s CPU configuration – 1x3.25 GHz Cortex-A725, 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A725, and 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A725 – suggests a focus on high single-core and multi-core performance. The Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores (1x3.2 GHz, 3x2.42 GHz, 4x1.80 GHz) are still capable, but the newer architecture of the Dimensity chip provides a clear advantage. The Neo7 SE is likely to excel in CPU-intensive tasks and newer games.
Battery Life
The iQOO Neo 6 boasts an impressive endurance rating of 97 hours, indicating excellent battery life. Both phones support 80W wired charging, but the iQOO Neo 6 is faster, reaching 50% in 12 minutes and 100% in 32 minutes, compared to the Neo7 SE’s 23 minutes to 50%. While the Neo7 SE’s battery capacity is unknown, the iQOO Neo 6’s proven endurance and faster charging speed give it an advantage in this category. The Dimensity 8400 Max’s efficiency may partially offset the Neo 6’s larger battery, but the charging speed difference is substantial.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Neo7 SE if you prioritize raw processing power for gaming and multitasking, and want a phone with a more modern chipset. You'll benefit from the Dimensity 8400 Max's efficiency. Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 6 if you value proven stability, a consistently bright display, and long-lasting battery life, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance. It's a solid all-rounder.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 8400 Max in the Realme Neo7 SE handle graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Dimensity 8400 Max is a powerful chipset capable of running Genshin Impact and similar titles at high settings. The 4nm process node and improved CPU/GPU architecture should provide a smooth and stable gaming experience, even during prolonged sessions. However, sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management system.
❓ Does the iQOO Neo 6 experience significant throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 870 is a capable chip, but it can experience some throttling under sustained load due to its 7nm process. While iQOO typically implements effective cooling solutions, the Neo7 SE’s 4nm Dimensity 8400 Max is inherently more efficient and less prone to overheating, potentially offering more consistent performance over longer gaming periods.
❓ Is the 80W charging on both phones compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While both phones support 80W charging, it's unlikely to be fully compatible with standard Power Delivery (PD) chargers. They likely utilize a proprietary charging protocol for the fastest speeds. Using a PD charger will still charge the phones, but at a slower rate.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and iQOO UI?
Realme UI and iQOO UI are both based on Android, but they offer distinct user experiences. Realme UI is known for its customization options and vibrant aesthetics, while iQOO UI prioritizes performance and a cleaner, more streamlined interface. iQOO UI often includes gaming-specific features and optimizations.
