The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z6 and Samsung Galaxy M33 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at an attractive price point, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M33 edges out the iQOO Z6 thanks to its more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset, faster charging, and generally smoother performance. While the iQOO Z6 offers good value, the M33's overall package makes it the slightly better choice.
| 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, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 16 | 2022, March 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 22 | Available. Released 2022, April 08 |
| 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) | 165.4 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 198 g (Global) / 215 g (India) (6.98 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | TFT LCD, 120Hz |
| 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, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Quad | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro |
| | - | Virtual Proximity Sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired
4.5W reverse wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dynamo Black, Chromatic Blue | Green, Blue, Brown |
| Models | I2127 | SM-M336B, SM-M336B/DS, SM-M336BU, SM-M336BU/DS, SM-M336K |
| Price | About 190 EUR | £ 299.00 |
| SAR EU | - | 1.04 W/kg (head) 1.38 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO Z6
- Good value for money
- Decent 5G connectivity
- Well-calibrated display
- Lightweight design
- Slower charging
- Less powerful processor
- Camera performance could be better
- Plastic build
Samsung Galaxy M33
- More powerful processor (Exynos 1280)
- Faster charging (25W)
- Better camera performance
- 120Hz display
- Reverse wired charging
- Samsung's One UI
- Slightly more expensive
- Larger and heavier than the iQOO Z6
- Plastic build
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a large 6.6-inch display, but the Galaxy M33 boasts a slightly higher resolution (FHD+ vs FHD+ on the iQOO Z6) and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother visual experience. The iQOO Z6's display is generally well-regarded for its color accuracy, while the M33's is brighter.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy M33 generally takes better photos, especially in low light. It features a versatile quad-camera setup with a higher resolution main sensor (50MP vs 64MP on the iQOO Z6). While the iQOO Z6's camera is capable, the M33 offers more consistent image quality and better dynamic range.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy M33's Exynos 1280 chipset (5nm) significantly outperforms the iQOO Z6's Snapdragon 695 (6nm). Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better performance in demanding games on the M33. The iQOO Z6 is adequate for everyday tasks but struggles with heavier workloads.
Battery Life
Both phones have a large 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life. However, the Galaxy M33's 25W charging is faster than the iQOO Z6's 18W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups. The M33 also includes reverse wired charging, a useful feature for topping up accessories.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the vivo iQOO Z6? Gamers on a tight budget who prioritize a decent display and 5G connectivity. Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy M33? Users seeking a more powerful processor, faster charging, and the reliability of the Samsung brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy M33 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset.
❓ Does the Galaxy M33 have reverse charging?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy M33 supports 4.5W reverse wired charging, allowing you to charge other devices.
❓ Which phone has a better display?
The Samsung Galaxy M33 has a 120Hz refresh rate, making it smoother for scrolling and gaming compared to the iQOO Z6.