vivo iQOO Z7 vs Xiaomi 12 Lite: A Detailed Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7 and Xiaomi 12 Lite 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.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO Z7 takes the lead with its significantly faster 120W charging and slightly more powerful Snapdragon 782G chipset. However, the Xiaomi 12 Lite boasts a brighter display and potentially better camera optimization. Ultimately, the iQOO Z7 offers superior charging speed and performance for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z7 (China) Xiaomi 12 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2023, March 202022, July 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 24Available. Released 2022, July 11
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in)159.3 x 73.7 x 7.3 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.29 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight201.5 g (7.13 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~88.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 950 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 642LAdreno 642L
OSAndroid 13, OriginOS 3Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, HyperOS
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging120W wired67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 50% in 13 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, OrangeBlack, Lite Green, Lite Pink
ModelsV2270A2203129G
PriceAbout 220 EUR€ 119.80 / $ 269.00 / £ 121.15
SAR-1.09 W/kg (head)     0.73 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.60 W/kg (head)     1.00 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.2 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 528905 (v9) GeekBench: 2943 (v5.1) GFXBench: 29fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Z7 (China)

  • Blazing-fast 120W charging
  • Slightly more powerful Snapdragon 782G
  • Good value for money
  • Potentially better gaming performance

  • Display brightness not as high as Xiaomi 12 Lite
  • Camera optimization potentially less refined

Xiaomi 12 Lite

  • Brighter display (824 nits)
  • Potentially better camera optimization
  • Sleek and stylish design
  • Excellent battery life (100h endurance)

  • Slower 67W charging
  • Slightly less powerful chipset
  • Price may be higher than iQOO Z7

Display Comparison

The Xiaomi 12 Lite shines with its measured 824 nits peak brightness, offering a noticeably more vibrant and visible display, especially outdoors. While the iQOO Z7's display is good, it lacks the same level of brightness. The Xiaomi 12 Lite's 'infinite' contrast ratio is a nominal claim, but generally indicates good contrast performance. Both phones likely use AMOLED panels, providing excellent color accuracy and deep blacks.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is often subjective and depends on software optimization. The Xiaomi 12 Lite is expected to have slightly better image processing due to Xiaomi's reputation for camera tuning. Both phones likely feature a main sensor around 50MP, but the iQOO Z7 might offer more versatility with additional lenses. Real-world testing would be needed for a definitive verdict.

Performance

The iQOO Z7 holds a clear advantage here. Its Snapdragon 782G chipset is generally considered slightly faster than the Xiaomi 12 Lite's Snapdragon 778G 5G. This translates to smoother multitasking, quicker app loading times, and potentially better gaming performance. Both chipsets are capable, but the Z7 has a slight edge.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi 12 Lite advertises an impressive 100-hour endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the iQOO Z7's 120W charging is a game-changer. It can fully charge the phone in under 20 minutes, drastically reducing downtime. While the Xiaomi 12 Lite's 67W charging is still fast, it can't compete with the iQOO Z7's speed.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO Z7 is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and smooth performance for gaming and demanding apps. The Xiaomi 12 Lite is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, a sleek design, and a potentially more refined camera experience, especially for casual photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The iQOO Z7 likely offers slightly better gaming performance due to its more powerful Snapdragon 782G chipset.
❓ Is the Xiaomi 12 Lite's display significantly brighter?
Yes, the Xiaomi 12 Lite's measured 824 nits peak brightness is noticeably higher than the iQOO Z7's, making it easier to see in bright sunlight.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge each phone?
The iQOO Z7 charges incredibly fast with its 120W charging, typically taking under 20 minutes. The Xiaomi 12 Lite's 67W charging takes longer, around 45-50 minutes.
❓ Which phone has better battery life overall?
While both offer good battery life, the Xiaomi 12 Lite's endurance rating suggests it might last slightly longer on a single charge.