The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7 and Xiaomi Poco X3 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 detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X3 Pro boasts a significantly faster Snapdragon 860 chipset and a longer charging time, while the iQOO Z7 shines with its blazing-fast 120W charging. Ultimately, the X3 Pro offers better performance, while the Z7 prioritizes charging speed and potentially a more modern design.
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 20 | 2021, March 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 24 | Available. Released 2021, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 6), plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 165.3 x 76.8 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.02 x 0.37 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) | 215 g (7.58 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 2404Hz PWM, HDR10, 450 nits (typ) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 Gold & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 860 (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 640 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB 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 | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 1080p@960fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.4", 0.8µm |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 120W wired | 33W wired, 59% in 30 min, 100% in 59 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange | Phantom Black, Frost Blue, Metal Bronze |
| Models | V2270A | M2102J20SG, M2102J20SI |
| Price | About 220 EUR | $ 128.04 / £ 249.99 |
| SAR | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.57 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 112h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1401:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.1 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 453223 (v8)
GeekBench: 2574 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- 120W Super Fast Charging
- Potentially more modern design
- Good value for money
- Less powerful chipset than Poco X3 Pro
- Camera details are unclear
- Battery capacity unspecified
Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro
- Powerful Snapdragon 860 chipset
- Excellent battery life (112h endurance rating)
- Good value for money
- Potentially better camera versatility
- Slower charging (33W)
- Older design
- May lack some modern features
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a nominal contrast ratio of 1401:1, suggesting excellent black levels and vibrant colors. The Poco X3 Pro likely has a slightly larger display (6.67 inches vs. potentially 6.58 inches for the Z7), which could be advantageous for media consumption. However, specific panel technology (AMOLED vs. LCD) and refresh rates are crucial factors not explicitly stated, impacting overall viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Both are described as 'Photo / Video'. The Poco X3 Pro likely has a more versatile camera system, potentially including a dedicated macro lens and improved low-light performance due to the more powerful processor. The Z7's camera performance will depend heavily on vivo's image processing algorithms.
Performance
This is where the Poco X3 Pro takes a clear lead. The Snapdragon 860 is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 782G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the X3 Pro. The Z7's 782G is still capable, but it won't match the X3 Pro's raw horsepower.
Battery Life
The Poco X3 Pro's endurance rating of 112h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. While the iQOO Z7's battery capacity isn't specified, its 120W charging capability allows it to top up incredibly quickly, mitigating any potential battery life shortcomings.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Z7 is ideal for users who prioritize incredibly fast charging and a potentially more streamlined, modern design. The Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro is a better choice for those seeking raw performance and a longer-lasting battery, even if it means slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO Z7 good for gaming?
The iQOO Z7 is decent for casual gaming, but the Poco X3 Pro's Snapdragon 860 will provide a significantly smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience for demanding titles.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the iQOO Z7?
The iQOO Z7's 120W charging allows it to fully charge incredibly quickly, likely in under 30 minutes.