The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z6 44W and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a well-rounded experience, they take different approaches to achieving it. The iQOO Z6 prioritizes fast charging and a streamlined experience, while the A53 5G focuses on a brighter display and Samsung’s established software ecosystem.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and efficient performance for everyday tasks, the iQOO Z6 44W emerges as the better value. Its 44W charging significantly outperforms the A53 5G’s 25W, and the Snapdragon 680 offers a solid, if not spectacular, experience. However, the Galaxy A53 5G’s brighter display and 5G connectivity may appeal to specific users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 14, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66 - SM-A536U |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, April 27 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 02 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.8 x 73.8 x 8.4 mm (6.33 x 2.91 x 0.33 in) | 159.6 x 74.8 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.94 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm
5 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 27 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Lumina Blue, Raven Black | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | - | SM-A536B, SM-A536B/DS, SM-A536U, SM-A536U1, SM-A5360, SM-A536E, SM-A536E/DS, SM-A536V, SM-A536W, SM-A536N, SM-S536DL |
| Price | About 180 EUR | $ 151.42 / £ 185.00 / € 169.14 |
| SAR | - | 0.75 W/kg (head) 1.58 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.89 W/kg (head) 1.60 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.5 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 329802 (v8), 379313 (v9)
GeekBench: 1891 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z6 44W
- Significantly faster 44W charging
- Efficient Snapdragon 680 processor
- Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm process
- Likely lower display brightness
- No 5G connectivity
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter 830 nit display
- 5G connectivity
- Samsung’s established software ecosystem
- Slower 25W charging
- Exynos 1280 may be prone to throttling
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significant advantage in display brightness, reaching a measured 830 nits. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z6’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s unlikely to match the A53’s peak brightness. The A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The lack of information on the iQOO Z6’s panel type makes a direct comparison difficult, but it likely utilizes an LCD, which generally offers lower contrast and less vibrant colors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The Galaxy A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor, though specifics are unavailable. The iQOO Z6’s camera performance will likely be adequate for social media sharing, but may struggle in low-light conditions compared to a more sophisticated system. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely inconsequential; image quality from such sensors is typically poor.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Z6 44W utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 (6nm), while the Galaxy A53 5G is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1280 (5nm). The Exynos 1280, built on a smaller 5nm process, theoretically offers better power efficiency and thermal performance. However, the Snapdragon 680’s architecture – octa-core with 2.4 GHz Kryo Gold cores – is optimized for sustained performance in everyday tasks. The A53’s CPU configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) suggests a focus on burst performance, potentially beneficial for demanding apps, but potentially more prone to throttling under sustained load. The iQOO Z6’s 6nm process helps mitigate heat, offering a more consistent experience.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 113 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The iQOO Z6 44W’s 44W wired charging can replenish 50% of the battery in just 27 minutes, a significant advantage over the Galaxy A53 5G’s 25W charging. While the A53’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the iQOO Z6 mitigates any potential capacity difference, offering quicker top-ups and less downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z6 44W if you need rapid charging, a smooth experience for social media and everyday apps, and value efficiency over raw processing power. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more vibrant display for media consumption, require 5G connectivity, and are invested in the Samsung ecosystem and its software features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280, while capable, is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. While not a deal-breaker, users engaging in extended gaming sessions may experience frame rate drops. The iQOO Z6’s Snapdragon 680, built on a 6nm process, is generally more efficient and less prone to overheating, potentially offering a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using for detailed close-up shots?
Generally, no. 2MP macro cameras on budget and mid-range phones typically lack the resolution and optics to produce truly detailed close-up images. Images often appear soft and lack sharpness. They are primarily included for marketing purposes and are unlikely to significantly enhance your photography experience.
❓ Can the iQOO Z6 44W handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at high frame rates?
The iQOO Z6 44W can run PUBG Mobile, but achieving consistently high frame rates (90fps) may require lowering graphics settings. The Snapdragon 680 is capable, but it’s not a high-end gaming chipset. Expect a playable experience at medium settings, prioritizing smooth gameplay over maximum visual fidelity.
❓ How does the charging speed of the iQOO Z6 44W compare to using a standard 18W charger?
The difference is substantial. While the iQOO Z6 44W supports standard charging protocols, utilizing the included 44W charger dramatically reduces charging times. A standard 18W charger will take significantly longer to reach a full charge, potentially doubling or tripling the charging duration.
