iQOO Z1 vs Meizu 17: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The iQOO Z1 and Meizu 17 represent a fascinating intersection of value and performance. Released in different markets and at different times, both phones aimed to deliver a flagship-like experience without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their core components – from chipsets and charging speeds to overall user experience – to determine which device offers the most compelling package in 2024.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the iQOO Z1 emerges as the winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ offers competitive performance to the Snapdragon 865, coupled with significantly quicker 44W charging. While the Meizu 17 boasts a more refined brand reputation, the iQOO Z1 delivers more bang for your buck.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z1 Meizu 17
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 25, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA41, 78, 79 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMACDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2020, May 19. Released 2020, June 012020, May 08. Released 2020, May 11
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)160 x 77.2 x 8.5 mm (6.30 x 3.04 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~86.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 650
OSAndroid 10, iQOO UI 1.0Android 10, Flyme 8.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panorama5-LED dual-tone flash, Auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Single8 MP, AF-
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
BrowserHTML, Adobe Flash-
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 59 min30W wired, QC3, 45% in 30 min
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGalaxy Silver, Space blueGreen, Gray, Aurora White
ModelsV1986A-
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 530 EUR

vivo iQOO Z1

  • Faster 44W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • Competitive Dimensity 1000+ chipset delivers strong performance.
  • Likely offers better value for money.

  • Less established brand reputation.
  • Potentially lower build quality compared to Meizu.

Meizu 17

  • Snapdragon 865 offers a well-regarded and stable platform.
  • Meizu’s software experience is often praised for its refinement.
  • Potentially more premium build quality.

  • Slower 30W charging.
  • Higher price point for comparable performance.

Display Comparison

Unfortunately, display specifications are missing from the provided data. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that both devices likely feature LCD panels. The Meizu 17, being a slightly more premium offering, *may* have incorporated a higher quality panel with better color accuracy. The iQOO Z1, focusing on value, likely prioritized refresh rate over panel technology. Without specific nit brightness or color gamut data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Meizu 17’s brand history suggests a potentially more visually pleasing display.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent, making a direct comparison challenging. However, both phones likely targeted the mid-range segment with capable, but not groundbreaking, camera systems. Given Meizu’s historical emphasis on design and user experience, the Meizu 17 *may* have benefited from more refined image processing algorithms. The absence of sensor size or aperture information prevents a definitive assessment. It’s reasonable to assume both phones included a primary wide-angle lens, an ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but the quality of these components would be the deciding factor.

Performance

The core of this comparison lies in the chipsets. The iQOO Z1’s Mediatek Dimensity 1000+ (7nm) features an octa-core configuration with 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 cores and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Meizu 17 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G (7nm+). While the Snapdragon 865 boasts a slightly higher peak clock speed on its prime core (2.84 GHz vs 2.6 GHz), the Dimensity 1000+’s architecture is highly competitive. The Snapdragon 865’s configuration – 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77, 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77, and 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 – suggests a stronger focus on sustained multi-core performance. However, the 7nm+ process of the Snapdragon 865 offers a marginal efficiency gain. Real-world performance will be close, but the Dimensity 1000+’s integrated 5G modem could offer a slight advantage in connectivity.

Battery Life

Battery capacity is not specified, but the charging speeds reveal a significant difference. The iQOO Z1’s 44W wired charging can reach 50% in 23 minutes and 100% in 59 minutes. The Meizu 17’s 30W wired charging (QC3) takes longer, reaching 45% in 30 minutes. This indicates the iQOO Z1 prioritizes rapid replenishment, a crucial benefit for power users and gamers. While a larger battery capacity on the Meizu 17 could offset the slower charging, the iQOO Z1’s speed is a clear advantage for those who frequently need to top up their device.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z1 if you need a phone that prioritizes gaming performance and rapid charging, and are comfortable with a less established brand. It’s ideal for users who frequently play demanding mobile games or need to quickly top up their battery. Buy the Meizu 17 if you prefer a more established brand with a focus on software refinement and a potentially more premium build quality, and are willing to trade some charging speed for that experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1000+ in the iQOO Z1 throttle under sustained gaming loads?
The Dimensity 1000+ is a capable chipset, but throttling can occur in any phone under prolonged heavy use. However, the 7nm process and iQOO’s cooling solutions (details not provided) likely mitigate throttling to a reasonable degree, allowing for extended gaming sessions without significant performance drops. User reports suggest it performs well in popular titles like PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Meizu 17 slow compared to modern standards?
While 30W charging isn't the fastest available today, it's still a respectable charging speed. However, the iQOO Z1’s 44W charging is significantly quicker, offering a more convenient experience for users who need to rapidly replenish their battery. The difference is noticeable in daily use, especially for those who frequently run low on power.
❓ Which phone is better for 5G connectivity?
Both phones support 5G, but the iQOO Z1’s Dimensity 1000+ integrates the 5G modem directly into the chipset, potentially offering slightly better efficiency and connectivity performance compared to the Snapdragon 865’s external modem.