iQOO 7 vs. Asus ROG Phone 5s: A Deep Dive into Gaming and Charging

The vivo iQOO 7 and Asus ROG Phone 5s represent distinct approaches to the high-performance smartphone market. The iQOO 7 aggressively targets charging speed and value, while the ROG Phone 5s doubles down on gaming-centric features and a slightly more powerful processor. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a lower price point, the iQOO 7 is the clear winner. However, dedicated mobile gamers who demand the highest possible sustained performance and gaming-specific features will find the Asus ROG Phone 5s a more compelling investment.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 7 Asus ROG Phone 5s
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 71 - Version 1
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 1
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 1400/150 Mbps, 5G 4 Gbps DL
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - China2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 66, 71, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA - Version 4
Launch
Announced2021, January 112021, August 16
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 15Available. Released 2021, August 26
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
Dimensions162.2 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.39 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)172.8 x 77.3 x 9.9 mm (6.80 x 3.04 x 0.39 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight209.5 g (7.41 oz)238 g (8.40 oz)
 -RGB light panel (on the back) Pressure sensitive zones (Gaming triggers)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels (~394 ppi density)1080 x 2448 pixels (~395 ppi density)
Size6.62 inches, 106.5 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 109.5 cm2 (~82.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1200 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55Octa-core (1x2.99 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm)Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888+ 5G (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 660Adreno 660
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11.1 (International), OriginOS 1.0 (China)Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, ROG UI
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 18GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.5, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide)-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.4, 11mm, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS8K@30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@480fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)24 MP, f/2.5, 27mm (wide), 0.9µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (2 amplifiers)
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavICGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1 (side), USB Type-C 2.0 (bottom), OTG, accessory connector
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, 100% in 15 min (China) 66W wired (International)65W wired, PD3.0, QC5, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 52 min 10W reverse wired
Type4000 mAhLi-Po 6000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray, Blue, White, LegendPhantom Black, Storm White
ModelsV2049A, I2009ZS676KS
PriceAbout 480 EURAbout 1030 EUR

vivo iQOO 7

  • Incredibly fast 120W (China) / 66W (International) charging
  • Excellent value for the Snapdragon 888 chipset
  • Potentially more compact design for easier handling

  • Snapdragon 888 is less efficient than the 888+
  • May lack advanced gaming features found on the ROG Phone 5s

Asus ROG Phone 5s

  • More powerful Snapdragon 888+ chipset for sustained performance
  • Advanced gaming features like AirTriggers and superior cooling
  • Likely higher quality display with faster refresh rate

  • Significantly slower charging speed compared to the iQOO 7
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

Both phones utilize AMOLED panels, but detailed display specs are missing. However, given the ROG Phone 5s’s positioning, it likely features a higher refresh rate (120Hz or 144Hz) compared to the iQOO 7, potentially offering smoother visuals in fast-paced games. The ROG Phone 5s also likely boasts higher peak brightness for better outdoor visibility. Bezels are expected to be minimal on both, but the ROG Phone 5s’s design prioritizes a larger screen-to-body ratio for immersive gaming.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones likely feature multi-camera setups. The ROG Phone 5s, being a flagship gaming phone, may prioritize image processing for vibrant colors and detail, while the iQOO 7 might lean towards a more natural color profile. Without sensor size information, it’s difficult to definitively say which phone has the superior camera, but the ROG Phone 5s’s higher price point suggests a potentially more advanced camera system. The inclusion of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is likely on the ROG Phone 5s, improving low-light performance and video stabilization.

Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 5s edges out the iQOO 7 with its Snapdragon 888+ 5G chipset, clocked slightly higher at 2.99 GHz versus the iQOO 7’s 2.84 GHz Snapdragon 888. While both are based on the 5nm process, the ‘+’ variant offers incremental improvements in CPU and GPU performance, and more importantly, thermal management. Both phones share the same CPU core configuration (1x Cortex-X1, 3x Cortex-A78, 4x Cortex-A55), but the ROG Phone 5s’s superior cooling system will allow it to sustain peak performance for longer durations. Both likely utilize LPDDR5 RAM, but the ROG Phone 5s may benefit from faster RAM speeds.

Battery Life

The iQOO 7’s standout feature is its 120W wired charging, capable of fully charging the battery in just 15 minutes (in China, 66W internationally). The ROG Phone 5s, while still offering fast 65W charging with PD3.0 and QC5 support, takes considerably longer – 70% in 30 minutes and 100% in 52 minutes. While the ROG Phone 5s offers 10W reverse wired charging, the iQOO 7 lacks this feature. The actual battery capacity is unknown for both, but the ROG Phone 5s’s larger size suggests a potentially larger battery, offsetting some of the iQOO 7’s charging speed advantage in terms of overall endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 7 if you need a phone that can go from 0 to 100% in under 20 minutes and offers excellent value for its Snapdragon 888 performance. It’s ideal for users who want a fast, responsive device for everyday tasks and occasional gaming. Buy the Asus ROG Phone 5s if you prioritize sustained gaming performance, advanced cooling solutions, and features like AirTriggers, making it the superior choice for competitive mobile gamers and power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 888 in the iQOO 7 throttle significantly during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 888 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While the iQOO 7 likely has thermal management features, it may experience some throttling during prolonged gaming, potentially impacting frame rates. The ROG Phone 5s, with its superior cooling system and the 888+, is better equipped to handle extended gaming without significant performance drops.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the ROG Phone 5s compare to other 65W implementations in terms of actual charging time?
While 65W is considered fast charging, the ROG Phone 5s’s implementation utilizes PD3.0 and QC5, which optimize the charging process for efficiency and safety. However, it still takes over 50 minutes for a full charge, significantly longer than the iQOO 7’s 120W (or 66W) charging. The ROG Phone 5s prioritizes battery health and longevity over absolute charging speed.
❓ Are the AirTriggers on the ROG Phone 5s customizable, and how do they enhance the gaming experience?
Yes, the AirTriggers on the ROG Phone 5s are highly customizable. They can be mapped to on-screen actions, providing a tactile advantage in games. This allows for quicker reactions and more precise control, particularly in competitive titles. The iQOO 7 lacks this feature, relying solely on touch controls.