The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme V23 and vivo iQOO Z7x are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an attractive price point, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive review breaks down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7x takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 80W charging and generally competitive performance. While the Realme V23 has a decent chipset, the iQOO Z7x's charging speed and overall value make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 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, April 14 | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 14 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 13, Funtouch 13 (Global), Origin OS 3 (China) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, (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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 28 min | 80W wired, 70% in 34 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 6000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gradient | Tropical Blue, Metallic Grey, Orange |
| Models | - | V2272A |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 180 EUR |
Realme V23
- Balanced performance
- Sleek design
- Decent camera
- Slower charging
- Potentially less efficient chipset
- Software updates may be slower
vivo iQOO Z7x
- Blazing-fast 80W charging
- Competitive performance
- Good value for money
- 5G Connectivity
- Design might be less premium
- Camera performance may be average
- Software experience can be a bit aggressive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a large 6.6-inch display, likely with an LCD panel and a Full HD+ resolution. While specific display technologies (like refresh rate) aren't explicitly stated, expect a standard 60Hz refresh rate. The iQOO Z7x might have slightly better color accuracy due to vivo's generally good display tuning, but the difference will be minimal.
Camera Comparison
The Realme V23 likely features a triple-camera setup with a primary sensor around 50MP, accompanied by ultrawide and macro lenses. The iQOO Z7x also likely has a similar configuration. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing, but expect decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance might be a weak point for both.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 810 in the Realme V23 offers solid performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G in the iQOO Z7x is generally considered slightly more efficient and provides a smoother experience, especially in 5G connectivity. Both chipsets are 6nm, indicating good power efficiency.
Battery Life
This is where the iQOO Z7x truly shines. Its 80W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Realme V23's 33W charging is respectable but significantly slower. Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, providing all-day battery life with moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The Realme V23 is ideal for users prioritizing a balanced experience with a focus on design and a slightly more refined software experience. The vivo iQOO Z7x is perfect for those who value fast charging above all else and want a phone that can quickly power up.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo iQOO Z7x generally offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more efficient chipset and potentially better thermal management.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The iQOO Z7x takes approximately 34 minutes to reach 70% with its 80W charger, while the Realme V23 takes around 55-60 minutes for a full charge with its 33W charger.
