The sub-$500 smartphone market is heating up, and the vivo iQOO Neo 7 and Realme GT Neo 5 240W are leading the charge. While both aim for a compelling blend of performance and affordability, they take drastically different approaches – particularly when it comes to charging technology. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw speed and future-proofing, the Realme GT Neo 5 240W is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a performance edge, and the groundbreaking 240W charging is a game-changer. However, the iQOO Neo 7 remains a strong contender for those valuing a more balanced approach.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - India | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 16 | 2023, February 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, February 16 | Available. Released 2023, February 09 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.8 x 76.9 x 8.6 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.34 in) | 163.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| | - | Illuminated RGB (on the back) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~388 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 111.0 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.1 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 8200 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G610 MC6 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, Funtouch 13 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/3.3, 20mm (microscope) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (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 stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (dual side) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired, 50% in 10 min, 100% in 25 min | 240W wired, 50% in 4 min, 100% in 10 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 4600 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Interstellar Black, Frost Blue | Purple, Black, White |
| Models | I2214 | RMX3708 |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 440 EUR |
vivo iQOO Neo 7
- Efficient Dimensity 8200 chipset for smooth daily use.
- 120W fast charging provides a quick top-up.
- Potentially better long-term battery health due to less aggressive charging.
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers superior peak performance.
- Slower charging compared to the Realme GT Neo 5.
Realme GT Neo 5 240W
- Groundbreaking 240W charging for incredibly fast top-ups.
- Powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset for demanding tasks.
- Potentially more advanced camera system.
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 can run warmer and potentially throttle.
- Extreme charging speed may accelerate battery degradation.
Display Comparison
Both devices utilize 4nm chipsets, suggesting a focus on efficiency, but the display details are currently unavailable. Assuming market trends, both likely feature AMOLED panels with high refresh rates. However, the Realme GT Neo 5's potential for a higher peak brightness, given its flagship aspirations, could translate to better outdoor visibility. Without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but Realme's history suggests a more aggressive display calibration.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are missing, but we can infer some differences. Realme typically emphasizes camera features in its GT series, suggesting the GT Neo 5 might have a more sophisticated camera system. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more advanced, potentially leading to better image processing and low-light performance. The iQOO Neo 7, while likely capable, will likely focus on delivering a solid, reliable camera experience rather than pushing boundaries. Without sensor size or aperture information, a definitive comparison is impossible, but the Realme has a potential edge.
Performance
The Realme GT Neo 5 240W boasts the Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, featuring a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.19 GHz. This architecture is designed for sustained peak performance, exceeding the Mediatek Dimensity 8200 in the iQOO Neo 7, which utilizes a Cortex-A78 prime core at 3.1 GHz. While the Dimensity 8200 is highly efficient, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1’s Adreno 730 GPU provides a significant advantage in graphically intensive tasks. The iQOO Neo 7’s Dimensity 8200 benefits from MediaTek’s HyperEngine 5.0, potentially improving game stability, but the raw horsepower of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is likely to deliver higher frame rates in demanding titles. Thermal management will be crucial; the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known to run warmer, potentially leading to throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
The Realme GT Neo 5 240W’s defining feature is its 240W charging, capable of reaching 100% in just 10 minutes – a massive advantage over the iQOO Neo 7’s 120W charging (25 minutes to full). While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging significantly reduces downtime. The iQOO Neo 7’s 120W charging is still incredibly fast, reaching 50% in 10 minutes, but the Realme’s speed is unparalleled. The trade-off is potential battery degradation over time with the extreme 240W charging, but for users prioritizing convenience, the Realme is the clear winner.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Neo 7 if you need a consistently smooth experience with a well-optimized chipset and a more conservative approach to battery technology, prioritizing longevity and potentially less heat. Buy the Realme GT Neo 5 240W if you prioritize absolute charging speed, peak performance for demanding games, and are willing to accept potentially faster battery degradation over the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme GT Neo 5 240W's battery degrade quickly with 240W charging?
While 240W charging is incredibly fast, it does generate more heat, which can contribute to battery degradation over time. Realme likely employs advanced charging algorithms and thermal management to mitigate this, but it's a valid concern. Expect potentially reduced battery capacity after 2-3 years of heavy use compared to a phone with slower charging.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Realme GT Neo 5 240W prone to overheating during gaming?
The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is known to run warmer than some other chipsets. Realme will likely have implemented a robust cooling system to manage temperatures. However, prolonged gaming sessions at maximum settings may still result in some thermal throttling, potentially reducing sustained performance. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ Does the iQOO Neo 7 support high refresh rate gaming?
While specific gaming frame rate support isn't listed, the Dimensity 8200 chipset is capable of handling high refresh rate gaming. The iQOO Neo 7 likely supports 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rates in compatible games, providing a smoother gaming experience. However, it may not achieve the same peak frame rates as the Realme GT Neo 5 240W in demanding titles.
