The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7 and Realme Narzo 50 Pro are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7 takes the lead thanks to its significantly faster 120W charging and a generally more powerful chipset. While the Narzo 50 Pro offers a decent experience, the iQOO Z7's charging speed and performance edge make it the better choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 20 | 2022, May 18 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2022, May 26 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 160.2 x 73.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) | 181 g (6.38 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | Super AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, Realme UI 4.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| 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) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide) |
| Triple | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (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 | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black |
| Models | V2270A | RMX3395, RMX3396 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 270 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 782G chipset
- Likely better gaming performance
- Sleek design
- Availability may be limited outside of China
- Camera might not be as impressive as Narzo 50 Pro in some scenarios
Realme Narzo 50 Pro
- Decent 108MP main camera
- Reliable performance for everyday tasks
- Good value for money
- Widely available
- Slower 33W charging
- Dimensity 920 chipset is less powerful than Snapdragon 782G
- Design might be less premium
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely AMOLED or IPS LCD) with a refresh rate around 120Hz. The iQOO Z7 might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness, but this would require further testing. Screen size is likely to be in the 6.4-6.7 inch range for both.
Camera Comparison
The Narzo 50 Pro likely features a 108MP main camera, potentially offering slightly better detail in well-lit conditions. However, the iQOO Z7's image processing algorithms could compensate, resulting in more vibrant and pleasing images. Both phones likely have ultrawide and macro lenses.
Performance
The Snapdragon 782G in the iQOO Z7 generally outperforms the Dimensity 920 in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The 782G's Cortex-A78 core configuration and 6nm process offer a slight advantage. Expect smoother multitasking and better frame rates on the iQOO Z7.
Battery Life
This is where the iQOO Z7 truly shines. Its 120W charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups. The Narzo 50 Pro's 33W charging is considerably slower. Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, suggesting similar battery life between charges, but the iQOO Z7's charging speed makes it far more convenient.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Z7 is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and smooth performance for gaming and everyday tasks. The Realme Narzo 50 Pro is a good option for those seeking a reliable phone with a decent camera and a more balanced feature set, especially if charging speed isn't a top concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO Z7 worth the extra cost over the Narzo 50 Pro?
If fast charging and performance are your priorities, the iQOO Z7's 120W charging and Snapdragon 782G chipset justify the higher price. If you're on a tighter budget and don't need those features, the Narzo 50 Pro remains a solid choice.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
Realme generally has a good track record for software updates. However, vivo's Funtouch OS is also improving. It's best to check recent update history for both brands before making a decision.