The iQOO Z1x and Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro represent distinct approaches to the mid-range 5G smartphone market. The Z1x prioritizes affordability and efficient 5G connectivity with the Snapdragon 765G, while the F2 Pro aims for near-flagship performance by leveraging the older, but still potent, Snapdragon 865. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a balance of price and performance, the Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro is the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 865 chipset provides a significant performance uplift, particularly in demanding tasks like gaming, and the 854 nits peak brightness offers a superior viewing experience, despite similar battery endurance ratings.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 77, 78 Sub6 |
| 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, May 12 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, May 19 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 76.5 x 9.1 mm (6.46 x 3.01 x 0.36 in) | 163.3 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 2.97 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.5 g (7.05 oz) | 219 g (7.72 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.57 inches, 105.0 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 650 |
| OS | Android 10, iQOO UI 1.0 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 3.1
6GB RAM (LPDDR4X)
8GB RAM (LPDDR5) |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 50mm (telephoto macro), AF
13 MP, f/2.4, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
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 | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | Motorized pop-up 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, 720p@120fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | 24-bit/192kHz audio
|
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 30W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 63 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4700 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Neon Blue, Phantom White, Electric Purple, Cyber Gray |
| Models | V2012A | M2004J11G |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 150 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 0.51 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.79 W/kg (head) 1.03 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 120h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 538221 (v8)
GeekBench: 3332 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z1x
- More affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 765G chipset
- Potentially faster charging (33W vs 30W)
- Significantly lower performance compared to Snapdragon 865
- Likely less capable camera system
- Display brightness data unavailable, potentially inferior
Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 865 performance
- Brighter display (854 nits)
- Faster charging standards (PD3.0, QC4)
- Higher price tag
- Snapdragon 865 is an older generation chipset
- Battery life is comparable to the Z1x despite higher power consumption
Display Comparison
The Poco F2 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 854 nits, compared to the iQOO Z1x (brightness data unavailable). This translates to better visibility outdoors and a more engaging viewing experience. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (based on market segment), the F2 Pro’s higher brightness is a clear advantage. Contrast ratio is listed as infinite (nominal) for the F2 Pro, typical of IPS panels, but the lack of specific display details for the Z1x makes a direct comparison difficult. The absence of refresh rate information for both devices suggests standard 60Hz panels.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. The absence of sensor size or megapixel counts prevents a detailed analysis. However, given the F2 Pro’s positioning as a higher-end device, it likely features a more capable camera system with a larger sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The iQOO Z1x likely relies on software processing to compensate for a potentially smaller sensor. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this segment is unlikely to be a significant differentiator for either device.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F2 Pro’s Snapdragon 865 (7nm+) is a flagship-level processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-A77 core clocked at 2.84 GHz. This is a substantial upgrade over the iQOO Z1x’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm), which utilizes a Kryo 475 architecture with a peak clock speed of 2.4 GHz. The 865’s Adreno 650 GPU provides significantly higher graphics performance, making it the clear winner for gaming and graphically intensive applications. While both support 5G, the 865’s more advanced modem offers potentially faster and more stable connections. The F2 Pro’s LPDDR5 RAM (assumed, based on chipset) further enhances performance compared to the Z1x’s likely LPDDR4X configuration.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO Z1x and Poco F2 Pro achieve an endurance rating of 120 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified). The Poco F2 Pro supports 30W wired charging with PD3.0 and QC4, achieving a full charge in 63 minutes. The iQOO Z1x offers 33W wired charging, potentially providing slightly faster charging speeds, but without specific timing data, it’s difficult to definitively say. The similar endurance ratings suggest efficient power management on both devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z1x if you need a reliable 5G smartphone with a focus on efficiency and affordability, and aren't heavily invested in demanding mobile gaming. It's ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and light multimedia consumption. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro if you prioritize raw performance, enjoy mobile gaming, and value a brighter, more vibrant display. It's the better option for power users and those seeking a longer software support lifespan due to its higher-tier chipset.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the Poco F2 Pro suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 865 is a powerful chip, it was known to run hot under sustained load. However, the Poco F2 Pro’s design and cooling system (details not provided) likely mitigate throttling to a reasonable extent. Expect some performance reduction after prolonged gaming, but it should still offer a significantly better experience than the Snapdragon 765G in the iQOO Z1x.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Poco F2 Pro compatible with all 5G bands used by carriers in the US?
The Poco F2 Pro supports 5G, but band compatibility varies by region. It's crucial to check the specific model number and its supported 5G bands against your carrier's network to ensure full compatibility. The Snapdragon 865 modem supports a wide range of bands, but not all variants are enabled on every device.
❓ How does the software experience differ between the iQOO Z1x and the Poco F2 Pro?
The iQOO Z1x likely runs vivo’s Funtouch OS, while the Poco F2 Pro runs Xiaomi’s MIUI. Both are based on Android, but offer distinct user interfaces and features. MIUI is known for its extensive customization options, while Funtouch OS often prioritizes simplicity. User preference plays a significant role in determining which software experience is better.
