iQOO Z1 vs Realme X50 Pro 5G: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The iQOO Z1 and Realme X50 Pro 5G represent a fascinating crossroads in the smartphone market. The Z1, powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1000+, arrived as a challenger focused on raw performance. The X50 Pro 5G, with its Snapdragon 865, aimed for a more holistic flagship experience, albeit one that has aged. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which offers the best experience in today's landscape.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Realme X50 Pro 5G emerges as the winner. While the iQOO Z1 offers a compelling chipset, the Snapdragon 865’s more mature optimization and 65W charging provide a smoother, more convenient experience, especially considering both phones offer similar battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z1 Realme X50 Pro 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 25, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - Global
5G bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Global
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA41, 78, 79 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2020, May 19. Released 2020, June 012020, February 24. Released 2020, March 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions164 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)159 x 74.2 x 8.9 mm (6.26 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)205 g (7.23 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10Super AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
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, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 12 MP, f/2.5, 54mm (telephoto), 2x optical zoom, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 13mm (ultrawide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
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@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual-32 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.2, 17mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, NavIC
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 a/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 min65W wired, PD, 100% in 35 min
Type4500 mAh4200 mAh
Misc
ColorsGalaxy Silver, Space blueMoss Green, Rust Red
ModelsV1986ARMX2075, RMX2071, RMX2076
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 360 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 90h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -23.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 592447 (v8) GeekBench: 3175 (v5.1) GFXBench: 45fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Z1

  • Potentially higher multi-core CPU performance due to core count.
  • Competitive chipset for its time.
  • 44W fast charging is still respectable.

  • Less refined chipset optimization compared to Snapdragon.
  • Slower charging speed than the X50 Pro 5G.
  • Lack of detailed display and camera specifications.

Realme X50 Pro 5G

  • Faster 65W charging with PD support.
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
  • More mature chipset optimization for sustained performance.

  • Older generation chipset.
  • May experience some software update limitations.
  • Potential for thermal throttling under extreme load.

Display Comparison

The Realme X50 Pro 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 635 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the iQOO Z1. While both offer an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the higher peak brightness of the X50 Pro 5G translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. The lack of detailed display specs for the Z1, such as refresh rate or panel type, puts it at a disadvantage. The X50 Pro 5G’s brightness is a significant advantage for outdoor use and media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given Realme’s historical focus on camera features, it’s reasonable to assume the X50 Pro 5G likely offers a more versatile and refined camera system. The absence of any specific camera details for the iQOO Z1 suggests it may be a less emphasized feature.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X50 Pro 5G’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) features a 1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 prime core, alongside three additional Cortex-A77 cores clocked at 2.42 GHz, and four Cortex-A55 efficiency cores. The iQOO Z1’s Dimensity 1000+ (7nm) counters with four 2.6 GHz Cortex-A77 cores and four 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. While the Z1 has more high-performance cores, the Snapdragon 865 benefits from Qualcomm’s superior software optimization and a more mature manufacturing process. This translates to better sustained performance and potentially less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both utilize 7nm fabrication, but the 'plus' designation on the Snapdragon 865 indicates a refinement of the process.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 90 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The Realme X50 Pro 5G’s 65W wired charging with PD support is significantly faster, achieving a full charge in just 35 minutes. The iQOO Z1’s 44W charging takes 59 minutes for a full charge, and 23 minutes to reach 50%. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either, the faster charging of the X50 Pro 5G provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z1 if you need a phone primarily for demanding tasks like mobile gaming and content creation, and are willing to manage slightly slower charging speeds. Buy the Realme X50 Pro 5G if you prefer a more refined overall experience with faster charging, a brighter display, and a chipset known for its stability and broader software support, even if it's an older generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 865 in the Realme X50 Pro 5G struggle with newer, more demanding games?
While the Snapdragon 865 is an older chipset, it remains capable of running most modern games at high settings. However, you might encounter some frame drops or throttling during prolonged gaming sessions, especially with graphically intensive titles. The X50 Pro 5G’s thermal management will be key to mitigating this.
❓ Does the Dimensity 1000+ in the iQOO Z1 support all 5G bands?
The Dimensity 1000+ supports a wide range of 5G bands, but specific band compatibility varies by region and carrier. It's crucial to check with your carrier to ensure the iQOO Z1 is compatible with their 5G network before purchasing.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs for the iQOO Z1 a major concern?
Yes, the absence of information regarding sensor size, aperture, and OIS suggests the camera may not be a primary strength of the iQOO Z1. If photography is a priority, the Realme X50 Pro 5G is likely the better choice, assuming it has a more robust camera system based on Realme's brand reputation.