The iQOO Z5 and Xiaomi Poco F3 GT represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices target performance-conscious users, but they achieve this through different approaches – the iQOO Z5 with Qualcomm’s efficient Snapdragon 778G 5G, and the Poco F3 GT leveraging the more powerful, but potentially more demanding, MediaTek Dimensity 1200. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and efficient charging, the Xiaomi Poco F3 GT emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset offers a noticeable performance edge, and the 67W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the iQOO Z5 remains a strong contender for those seeking a balanced experience with a focus on efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2021, July 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 28 | Available. Released 2021, July 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5) |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 161.9 x 76.9 x 8.3 mm (6.37 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 205 g (7.23 oz) |
| | - | Physical pop-up gaming triggers
IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 650 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS for iQOO 1.0 (China) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, HDR |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio
Tuned by JBL |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 26 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3, 100% in 42 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5065 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic Dawn, Mystic Space, Cyber Grid, Aurora | Predator Black, Gunmetal Silver |
| Models | V2148A | MZB09C6IN, M2104K10I |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 300 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.48 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z5
- More efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset
- Potentially better sustained performance due to thermal management
- Streamlined software experience (typical of vivo)
- Slower charging speed (44W vs 67W)
- Less powerful CPU compared to the Dimensity 1200
Xiaomi Poco F3 GT
- Significantly faster 67W charging with PD3.0/QC3 support
- More powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset for demanding tasks
- Likely higher peak gaming performance
- Potentially shorter battery life due to power-hungry chipset
- May experience more thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
While both phones likely feature similar 6.67-inch AMOLED displays (based on market trends), the specifics aren't provided. The core difference lies under the hood. The chipset's thermal management will impact sustained brightness. The Dimensity 1200 in the Poco F3 GT, being more powerful, may require more aggressive throttling to maintain temperatures, potentially impacting peak brightness over extended periods. The iQOO Z5’s Snapdragon 778G, with its 6nm process, should offer more consistent brightness levels during prolonged use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, both brands typically prioritize main sensor quality in this price segment. The iQOO Z5 and Poco F3 GT likely feature similar sensor sizes, but image processing algorithms will differentiate their output. Xiaomi’s image processing tends towards vibrant, saturated colors, while vivo often aims for more natural tones. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is notable; its presence would significantly benefit low-light photography and video recording on either device.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 1200 in the Poco F3 GT boasts a significantly higher peak CPU clock speed (3.0 GHz Cortex-A78) compared to the iQOO Z5’s Snapdragon 778G (2.4 GHz Cortex-A78). This translates to faster processing speeds in demanding tasks and games. The Dimensity 1200’s three 2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores further enhance multi-core performance. However, the Snapdragon 778G’s architecture, while clocked lower, is known for its efficiency. The iQOO Z5 will likely exhibit better thermal management, preventing aggressive throttling during extended gaming sessions. Both utilize 6nm fabrication, but the Dimensity 1200’s larger transistor count and higher clocks demand more power.
Battery Life
The Poco F3 GT’s 67W charging is a clear advantage, promising a full charge in 42 minutes with support for PD3.0 and QC3. The iQOO Z5’s 44W charging, while respectable, takes longer to reach 50% (26 minutes) and lacks the broader compatibility of the Poco’s charging standards. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 1200’s higher power consumption will likely result in shorter battery life on the Poco F3 GT, especially during gaming. The iQOO Z5’s Snapdragon 778G offers better power efficiency, potentially translating to longer real-world usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z5 if you need a phone that balances performance with excellent battery life and a more streamlined software experience. It’s ideal for everyday tasks, moderate gaming, and users who value efficiency. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F3 GT if you prioritize raw gaming performance, incredibly fast charging, and don’t mind potentially shorter battery life under heavy load. It’s the better choice for hardcore mobile gamers and power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco F3 GT’s Dimensity 1200 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chip, and it *can* generate significant heat under sustained load. The Poco F3 GT likely incorporates thermal management solutions, but throttling is still possible to prevent overheating. Expect some performance reduction after extended gaming, though the extent will depend on ambient temperature and game settings.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 44W and 67W truly noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the difference is substantial. While 44W is still fast, 67W charging on the Poco F3 GT can add hours of usage in just a short amount of time. The ability to top up quickly is particularly beneficial for gamers and power users who frequently drain their battery.
❓ Which phone is better for playing graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Poco F3 GT, with its Dimensity 1200, will generally deliver higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. However, the iQOO Z5’s Snapdragon 778G is still capable, and its better thermal management might result in more consistent performance over longer sessions.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
Neither device's specifications explicitly mention microSD card support. Given the trend towards removing microSD slots in mid-range phones, it's unlikely either device offers this feature. Consider the internal storage options carefully before making a purchase.
