The iQOO Z1x and Honor 30 Pro+ represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Z1x, powered by the Snapdragon 765G, focuses on delivering solid performance at an aggressive price point. Conversely, the Honor 30 Pro+ leverages the Kirin 990 5G, aiming for a more premium experience with enhanced camera capabilities and faster charging, but at a higher cost. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing value and consistent performance, the Honor 30 Pro+ emerges as the stronger contender. Its Kirin 990 5G chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage, complemented by faster 40W wired and 27W wireless charging. While the iQOO Z1x is a capable device, the Pro+'s overall package justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (2CA), 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 09. Released 2020, July 25 | 2020, April 15. Released 2020, April 21 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 160.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.31 x 2.90 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.5 g (7.05 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| | - | Water-repellent coating |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 105.0 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.57 inches, 106.0 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | OLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.86 GHz Cortex-A76 & 2x2.36 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Kirin 990 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Mali-G76 MP16 |
| OS | Android 10, iQOO UI 1.0 | Android 10, Magic UI 3, no Google Play Services |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Laser AF, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (Periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
16 MP, f/2.2, 18mm (ultrawide), AF
Auxiliary lens |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 1080p@1920fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K, 1080p; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 3.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 40W wired
27W wireless
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Titanium silver, Emerald Green, Midnight Black |
| Models | V2012A | EBG-AN10 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 650 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-23.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 510031 (v8)
GeekBench: 3191 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z1x
- More affordable price point
- Solid 5G performance for everyday tasks
- 33W fast charging is adequate
- Less powerful processor than the Kirin 990
- Limited charging options (no wireless)
- Camera likely less capable in challenging conditions
Honor 30 Pro+
- Superior performance with the Kirin 990 5G
- Faster 40W wired and 27W wireless charging
- Potentially better camera image quality
- Higher price tag
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
- Software experience may vary depending on region
Display Comparison
The Honor 30 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 586 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z1x, for which display brightness data is unavailable. While both devices likely utilize OLED panels given their contrast ratios, the Honor’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for outdoor usability. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio, while a marketing term, indicates excellent black levels. Without specific refresh rate data for the Z1x, the Pro+ likely offers a smoother visual experience if it supports a higher refresh rate.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but the Honor 30 Pro+ likely holds an advantage due to its more powerful image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Kirin 990. While sensor details are missing for both, the Kirin 990’s ISP allows for more sophisticated image processing, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance. The iQOO Z1x’s camera system is likely geared towards providing acceptable results for social media sharing, while the Honor 30 Pro+ aims for a more enthusiast-level experience. The absence of detailed camera specs for both makes a definitive judgment difficult, but the chipset advantage favors the Honor.
Performance
The Kirin 990 5G in the Honor 30 Pro+ represents a significant step up in processing power compared to the Snapdragon 765G in the iQOO Z1x. The Kirin 990’s octa-core configuration, with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.86 GHz, provides superior multi-core performance for tasks like video editing and demanding games. The Snapdragon 765G, while capable, relies on Kryo 475 cores that are less powerful. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Honor 30 Pro+. The 7nm+ fabrication process of the Kirin 990 also suggests potentially better thermal efficiency, though real-world throttling would require further testing.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO Z1x and Honor 30 Pro+ achieve an impressive Endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the Honor 30 Pro+ offers a more versatile charging solution with 40W wired charging, 27W wireless charging, and 5W reverse wired charging. The iQOO Z1x is limited to 33W wired charging. While both can likely achieve a full charge in under an hour, the Honor’s wireless charging capability provides added convenience. The similar endurance ratings suggest comparable battery capacities, but the Honor’s faster and more flexible charging options are a clear benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z1x if you need a reliable 5G phone for everyday tasks and light gaming, and are on a strict budget. Its 33W charging is adequate, and the Snapdragon 765G provides a smooth experience for most apps. Buy the Honor 30 Pro+ if you prioritize performance for demanding games, faster charging speeds (including wireless), and a potentially more refined camera experience, and are willing to spend more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 990 in the Honor 30 Pro+ tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Kirin 990 is a powerful chip, it was known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. However, the Honor 30 Pro+ incorporates cooling solutions to mitigate this. Real-world performance will depend on ambient temperature and game settings, but it's less likely to throttle severely than earlier Kirin 990 implementations.
❓ Is the 33W charging on the iQOO Z1x fast enough for typical daily use?
Yes, 33W charging is generally sufficient for most users. It can typically charge the phone from 0% to 50% in around 30 minutes, and a full charge in approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes. While not as fast as the Honor 30 Pro+'s 40W charging, it's still a respectable charging speed.
❓ What kind of 5G bands does the iQOO Z1x support, and will it work with my carrier?
The iQOO Z1x supports a wide range of 5G bands, including n78, n41, n77, and others. However, compatibility with your specific carrier depends on their 5G network configuration. It's crucial to check with your carrier to ensure they support the necessary bands for optimal 5G performance.
