The iQOO Z7 and Realme GT Neo5 SE represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take different approaches, primarily centered around their chipsets and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Realme GT Neo5 SE emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, built on a more efficient 4nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift and improved thermal management compared to the iQOO Z7’s Snapdragon 782G. While the iQOO Z7 boasts faster 120W charging, the GT Neo5 SE’s 100W is still remarkably quick and balances speed with efficiency.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 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 | 2023, March 20 | 2023, April 03 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 163.9 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.45 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) | 193.1 g (6.81 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1240 x 2772 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.74 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~87.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 725 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP, f/3.3, (microscope) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, 25mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired | 100W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange | Black, Gradient |
| Models | V2270A | RMX3700, RMX3701 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 270 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- Ultra-fast 120W charging for minimal downtime
- Competitive price point for the hardware offered
- Capable Snapdragon 782G for everyday tasks
- Snapdragon 782G can throttle under sustained load
- 6nm process less efficient than the 7+ Gen 2’s 4nm
Realme GT Neo5 SE
- More powerful and efficient Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset
- Improved thermal management for sustained performance
- Likely superior image processing capabilities
- Slightly slower 100W charging compared to the iQOO Z7
- Potentially higher price tag
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, both likely feature AMOLED panels with high refresh rates. The Realme GT Neo5 SE, being positioned slightly higher, may benefit from a marginally brighter panel or more sophisticated color calibration. The absence of LTPO technology on either device suggests both will rely on adaptive refresh rate switching to conserve battery life, rather than dynamically scaling down to 1Hz.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the Realme GT Neo5 SE, given its slightly higher positioning, likely incorporates a more advanced primary sensor. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) also offers improved image processing capabilities compared to the 782G’s ISP. Expect better dynamic range and low-light performance from the GT Neo5 SE. The presence or absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would be a critical differentiator, but this information is unavailable.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme GT Neo5 SE’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the iQOO Z7’s Snapdragon 782G (6nm). The 7+ Gen 2 utilizes the newer Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 2.91 GHz, offering a substantial single-core performance boost. Its Cortex-A710 performance cores are also more efficient than the 782G’s Cortex-A78 cores. The 4nm process further enhances efficiency, leading to less heat generation under load. This translates to longer sustained performance during gaming and demanding tasks. The iQOO Z7’s CPU configuration, while octa-core, features a mix of A78 and A55 cores, lacking the top-tier performance of the 7+ Gen 2.
Battery Life
The iQOO Z7’s 120W wired charging is its headline battery feature, promising incredibly fast top-ups. While the Realme GT Neo5 SE’s 100W charging is still rapid, it’s slower. However, the 7+ Gen 2’s superior efficiency means the GT Neo5 SE may achieve comparable real-world battery life despite potentially having a similar or slightly smaller battery capacity. The 6nm vs 4nm process difference significantly impacts power consumption, especially during prolonged use.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z7 (China) if you prioritize the absolute fastest charging speeds and are willing to accept potentially more thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions. Buy the Realme GT Neo5 SE if you value sustained performance, a more efficient chipset, and a smoother overall user experience, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Realme GT Neo5 SE get noticeably hotter than the iQOO Z7 during prolonged gaming sessions?
Yes, the iQOO Z7’s Snapdragon 782G, built on a 6nm process, is more prone to thermal throttling under sustained load compared to the Realme GT Neo5 SE’s 4nm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2. The 7+ Gen 2’s improved efficiency generates less heat, allowing for longer gaming sessions at peak performance.
❓ How much faster is the iQOO Z7’s 120W charging in real-world use compared to the Realme GT Neo5 SE’s 100W?
While 120W sounds significantly faster, the difference in 0-100% charge times may be less dramatic than expected. The iQOO Z7 will likely charge faster initially, but the charging rate will taper off as the battery nears full capacity. Expect the iQOO Z7 to gain around 10-15 minutes in total charging time.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 in the Realme GT Neo5 SE offer a substantial improvement in graphics performance for demanding games?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 features a more powerful GPU than the Snapdragon 782G. This translates to higher frame rates, smoother gameplay, and the ability to run games at higher graphical settings. Users who prioritize mobile gaming will see a noticeable benefit with the GT Neo5 SE.
