The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO 7 and Realme GT Neo 3T are two strong contenders. Both pack the powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, but offer distinct experiences. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to determine which phone is the better choice for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Realme GT Neo 3T edges out the iQOO 7 thanks to its faster 80W charging and potentially brighter display. However, the iQOO 7 might offer a slightly better overall software experience and potentially a more refined design, depending on individual preferences. Both are excellent value for money.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 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 | 2021, April 26 | 2022, June 07 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 01 | Available. Released 2022, June 25 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 3.01 x 0.33 in) | 162.9 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 196 g (6.91 oz) | 194.5 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 66W wired, 100% in 22 min | 80W wired |
| Type | 4400 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Solid Ice, Storm Black, Monster Orange | Shade Black, Drifting White, Dash Yellow |
| Models | - | RMX3372, RMX3371 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | About 780 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 118h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.2 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 726007 (v9)
GeekBench: 3180 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 49fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO 7 (India)
- Potentially smoother software experience
- Established brand reputation
- Good overall performance
- Fast charging (66W)
- Slower charging than GT Neo 3T
- Camera details are limited
- Display brightness not specified
Realme GT Neo 3T
- Faster 80W charging
- Potentially brighter display (803 nits)
- Excellent battery life (118h endurance)
- Aggressive pricing
- Camera details are limited
- Software experience can be polarizing
- Design may not appeal to everyone
Display Comparison
Both phones feature AMOLED displays, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Realme GT Neo 3T boasts a measured peak brightness of 803 nits, suggesting it performs better in direct sunlight. The iQOO 7's display is likely very good, but lacks specific brightness figures. Contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' for the GT Neo 3T, which is a nominal value and doesn't provide concrete data.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is a key differentiator. While both phones have 'Photo / Video' capabilities listed, detailed camera specs are missing. Generally, the iQOO 7 is known to have a slightly more versatile camera system, potentially with better image processing. The GT Neo 3T's camera is still capable, but may not offer the same level of detail or dynamic range. Further testing would be needed for a definitive comparison.
Performance
Performance is virtually identical. Both devices utilize the Snapdragon 870 chipset and the same CPU configuration. Expect smooth multitasking, responsive gaming, and excellent overall performance on both phones. Real-world differences will likely be minimal and depend more on software optimization.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Neo 3T holds a clear advantage in charging speed with its 80W wired charging, promising significantly faster top-ups compared to the iQOO 7's 66W charging. Both phones have a similar battery capacity, and the GT Neo 3T's endurance rating of 118h suggests excellent battery life, potentially slightly better than the iQOO 7.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the vivo iQOO 7 (India)? Gamers and users prioritizing a potentially smoother software experience and a more established brand. Who should buy the Realme GT Neo 3T? Users seeking the fastest charging speeds and a vibrant display, and those who appreciate Realme's aggressive pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
Both phones offer excellent gaming performance thanks to the Snapdragon 870. The iQOO 7 might have a slight edge due to potential software optimizations, but the difference will be minimal.
❓ Is the Realme GT Neo 3T worth the extra cost over other mid-range phones?
The GT Neo 3T's fast charging and vibrant display make it a compelling option. If those features are important to you, it's definitely worth considering. However, other mid-range phones offer competitive specs at potentially lower prices.
