The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7 and Samsung Galaxy A54 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A54 takes the crown thanks to its superior display, longer software support, and excellent battery life. While the iQOO Z7 boasts faster charging and a competitive chipset, the A54's overall package is more polished and future-proof. It's a solid all-rounder.
| 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, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 17 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 21 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.5 x 7.8 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 158.2 x 76.7 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 3.02 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | IP54, dust and water resistant | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 98.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 7 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.X", 1.12µm
5 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 25 min | 25W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Norway Blue, Pacific Night | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | I2207 | SM-A546V, SM-A546U, SM-A546U1, SM-A546B, SM-A546B/DS, SM-A546E, SM-A546E/DS, SM-A5460, SM-A546M, SM-A546M/DS, SM-A546W |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.67 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.69 W/kg (head) 1.34 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 119h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.6 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 506678 (v9)
GeekBench: 2703 (v5.1), 2797 (v6)
GFXBench: 25fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z7
- Faster Charging (44W)
- Competitive Performance for Gaming
- Sleek Design
- Good Value for Money
- Less Bright Display
- Camera Performance Lags Behind
- Software Updates Less Guaranteed
- Build Quality Not as Premium
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Excellent Display (Brightness & Contrast)
- Long-Lasting Battery Life
- Superior Camera System
- Guaranteed Software Updates (4 years)
- Premium Build Quality
- Slower Charging (25W)
- Performance Not as Raw as iQOO Z7
- Price Slightly Higher
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54's 980 nits peak brightness and infinite contrast ratio provide a significantly better viewing experience than the iQOO Z7. Colors are more vibrant, and outdoor visibility is excellent. The iQOO Z7's display is adequate but lacks the same level of visual pop.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A54 consistently delivers better image quality across various lighting conditions. Its camera system is more versatile, offering improved dynamic range and detail. The iQOO Z7's camera is decent but struggles in low light and lacks the same level of refinement.
Performance
The iQOO Z7's Dimensity 920 chipset offers competitive performance, particularly in gaming, thanks to its 6nm process. However, the Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54, while on a slightly older process (5nm), is well-optimized and provides a smooth and responsive experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The A54's CPU architecture is also slightly more modern.
Battery Life
The Galaxy A54's battery life is a standout feature, consistently achieving impressive endurance ratings. The iQOO Z7's 44W charging is faster, but the A54's larger battery capacity and efficient power management ultimately provide a longer-lasting experience.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Z7 is ideal for gamers and users prioritizing fast charging and a smooth experience for less demanding tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is perfect for those who value a vibrant display, a reliable camera, long-term software updates, and exceptional battery endurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The iQOO Z7 generally offers slightly better raw gaming performance due to its chipset, but the Galaxy A54 is still capable of handling most games smoothly.
❓ How long will Samsung provide software updates for the Galaxy A54?
Samsung guarantees 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security updates for the Galaxy A54.
