The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo iQOO Z6 and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches – the iQOO Z6 prioritizes processing efficiency with a Snapdragon 695, while the Galaxy A53 5G leans on Samsung’s Exynos 1280 and a brighter display. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a vibrant display and established brand ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is the better choice. However, users focused on maximizing battery life and sustained performance during gaming will find the iQOO Z6’s Snapdragon 695 a more compelling option.
| 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 | 77, 78 SA/NSA | 2, 5, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536U |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 48, 66, 77, 78, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-A536V |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 16 | 2022, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Available. Released 2022, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 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 | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Exynos 1280 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM 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 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-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, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (market/region dependent) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dynamo Black, Chromatic Blue | Black, White, Blue, Peach |
| Models | I2127 | 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 190 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
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Potentially better sustained gaming performance
- Likely more affordable price point
- Display specifications are unknown and likely inferior
- Slower 18W charging
Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant Super AMOLED display
- Faster 25W charging
- Samsung’s established software and support
- Exynos 1280 may be prone to throttling
- Potentially lower battery efficiency compared to Snapdragon 695
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G boasts a significant advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 830 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a scenario where the iQOO Z6’s display specifications are not provided and likely fall short. While the A53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio is a marketing term, the Super AMOLED panel delivers deep blacks and vibrant colors. The iQOO Z6’s display details are missing, but given its price point, it likely utilizes an LCD panel, which typically offers lower contrast and narrower viewing angles. The A53’s larger screen real estate also contributes to a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but details are sparse. The Galaxy A53 5G likely benefits from Samsung’s established image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor (details not provided). The iQOO Z6’s camera specifications are unknown, making a direct comparison difficult. It’s reasonable to assume the A53 will offer more refined image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the A53, if present, would further enhance image quality and video stabilization. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing gimmick and unlikely to deliver significant photographic value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G utilizes the Exynos 1280 (5nm), featuring a Cortex-A78 based CPU, while the iQOO Z6 is powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 5nm process node of the Exynos 1280 *should* offer better power efficiency, but the Snapdragon 695’s architecture is optimized for sustained performance. The Exynos 1280’s CPU, with its 2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, provides a theoretical single-core performance edge, but the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are designed for efficient multi-tasking. The iQOO Z6’s 6nm process may translate to less thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, a critical factor for mobile gamers. RAM specifications are not provided for either device, but LPDDR5 or LPDDR4X would be expected in this segment.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an Endurance rating of 113 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the iQOO Z6’s 18W charging is significantly slower than the Galaxy A53 5G’s 25W charging. This means the A53 can replenish its battery more quickly, reducing downtime. While the mAh capacity of each device is not specified, the Snapdragon 695’s efficiency in the iQOO Z6 could offset a potentially smaller battery size, resulting in similar real-world usage. The faster charging of the A53 is a clear convenience advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z6 if you need a phone that prioritizes efficient performance for everyday tasks and longer battery life, especially if you're a moderate mobile gamer. Buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G if you prefer a brighter, more color-accurate display, a more polished software experience, and the peace of mind that comes with Samsung’s extensive support network and camera features.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 1280 in the Galaxy A53 5G overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 1280 is known to exhibit some thermal throttling under sustained load. While it offers good peak performance, it may reduce clock speeds to manage heat during extended gaming, potentially impacting frame rates. The iQOO Z6’s Snapdragon 695, with its 6nm process, is designed for more efficient thermal management and may offer more consistent performance over longer periods.
❓ Is the 2MP macro camera on either phone worth using?
Generally, 2MP macro cameras on smartphones offer limited utility. The low resolution results in images lacking detail and sharpness. While they can be fun for experimentation, don't expect professional-quality macro photography from either the iQOO Z6 or the Galaxy A53 5G.
❓ Can the iQOO Z6 handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile at 90fps?
While the Snapdragon 695 is capable, achieving a consistent 90fps in PUBG Mobile will depend on the game settings and the specific device configuration. Lowering graphics settings is likely necessary to maintain a smooth frame rate. The iQOO Z6’s thermal management will be crucial in preventing throttling during intense gameplay.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G with the 25W charger?
With the included 25W charger, the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G should fully charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on background processes and battery health. This is significantly faster than the iQOO Z6’s 18W charging.
