The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo iQOO Z5x and the Realme 10 Pro. Both promise a compelling experience, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z5x boasts faster charging and a slightly more powerful chipset, making it a strong performer. However, the Realme 10 Pro shines with its brighter display and potentially better camera capabilities. Ultimately, the choice depends on your priorities – speed or visual fidelity.
| 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 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, October 20 | 2022, November 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 01 | Available. Released 2022, November 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 163.7 x 74.2 x 8.1 mm or 8.3 mm |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 190 g / 192 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~89.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 70% in 38 min | 33W wired, 50% in 29 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Orange, Silver | Dark Matter, Hyperspace Gold, Nebula Blue, Coca-Cola edition |
| Models | - | RMX3663, RMX3660, RMX3661 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | ₹ 18,999 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 127h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1255:1 |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.4 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 401860 (v9)
GeekBench: 2021 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z5x
- Faster Charging (44W)
- Slightly More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 900)
- Good Value for Money
- Likely LCD Display
- Potentially Less Impressive Camera
- Lower Battery Endurance
Realme 10 Pro
- Brighter Display (619 nits)
- Excellent Battery Life (127h Endurance Rating)
- Potentially Better Camera System
- Likely AMOLED Display
- Slower Charging (33W)
- Slightly Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- Can be slightly more expensive
Display Comparison
The Realme 10 Pro takes the lead here. While both offer a 1255:1 contrast ratio, the Realme 10 Pro's measured 619 nits peak brightness significantly outshines the iQOO Z5x, offering better visibility in sunlight. The iQOO Z5x likely has a standard LCD panel, while the Realme 10 Pro is expected to have an AMOLED display, contributing to its superior brightness and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is harder to definitively declare a winner without detailed testing. The Realme 10 Pro is expected to have a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher-resolution main sensor and improved image processing. The iQOO Z5x likely offers a competent camera, but may lack some of the advanced features found on the Realme 10 Pro.
Performance
The iQOO Z5x's Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset generally provides a slight edge in raw processing power compared to the Realme 10 Pro's Snapdragon 695 5G. This translates to potentially smoother performance in demanding games and applications. However, real-world usage differences might be minimal for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
The Realme 10 Pro's endurance rating of 127h suggests exceptional battery life, significantly outperforming the iQOO Z5x. While the iQOO Z5x has faster 44W charging (reaching 70% in 38 minutes), the Realme 10 Pro's larger battery capacity and efficient chipset likely result in longer overall usage time.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Z5x is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a smooth gaming experience on a budget. The Realme 10 Pro is a better fit for those who value a vibrant display, potentially superior camera performance, and long battery life.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO Z5x likely offers a slightly better gaming experience due to its more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset, although the difference may not be significant for most games.
❓ Is the Realme 10 Pro's display worth the extra cost?
If you prioritize a vibrant and bright display, especially for media consumption and outdoor use, the Realme 10 Pro's AMOLED panel and higher brightness are worth considering.
