The iQOO Z7 and Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro 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 distinctly different approaches. The iQOO Z7 focuses on a balanced package with a capable Mediatek Dimensity 920, while the Poco F5 Pro aggressively targets performance with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison will dissect their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset offers a significant leap in processing power compared to the iQOO Z7’s Dimensity 920. However, the iQOO Z7 remains a strong contender for budget-conscious users who value a well-rounded experience.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 17 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 21 | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.5 x 7.8 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | IP54, dust and water resistant | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Schott Xensation glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 98.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 25 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Norway Blue, Pacific Night | Black, White |
| Models | I2207 | 23013PC75G |
| Price | About 200 EUR | $ 449.99 / € 241.85 |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9)
GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z7
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Balanced overall package
- Good battery endurance
- Less powerful processor
- Slower charging speeds
- Limited camera details
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 performance
- Faster wired and wireless charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Likely higher price
- Potential for thermal throttling under extreme load (though mitigated by 4nm process)
- Camera details are unknown
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1059 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the iQOO Z7. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the F5 Pro’s superior brightness is a key advantage. Details regarding panel technology (e.g., AMOLED, refresh rate) are missing for the iQOO Z7, but the F5 Pro’s brightness suggests a higher-quality panel overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, and image processing are absent. Without this information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the F5 Pro’s positioning as a performance-focused device, it’s reasonable to assume a more sophisticated camera system. The absence of details on the iQOO Z7 suggests a more basic camera setup geared towards casual photography. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a flagship-level processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with a prime Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts with the iQOO Z7’s Dimensity 920 (6nm). The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon’s CPU architecture, with Cortex-A710 cores, also provides a performance edge over the Dimensity 920’s Cortex-A78 cores. While the iQOO Z7 is capable, the F5 Pro delivers a demonstrably smoother and faster experience, particularly in graphically demanding games.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable battery life despite differing charging capabilities. The Poco F5 Pro excels in charging speed, offering 67W wired charging (50% in 15 minutes), 30W wireless charging (50% in 32 minutes), and support for PD3.0 and QC3+. The iQOO Z7’s 44W wired charging (50% in 25 minutes) is slower. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the F5 Pro’s faster charging options provide greater convenience and reduce downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z7 if you need a reliable daily driver with good battery life and don't demand the absolute highest performance for demanding games. It's ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you prioritize gaming, content creation, or frequently use resource-intensive applications. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 provides a substantial performance advantage, making it the better choice for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chip, it can generate heat under sustained load. However, the 4nm manufacturing process significantly improves thermal efficiency compared to older generations, mitigating the risk of severe throttling. The Poco F5 Pro likely incorporates thermal management solutions to further control temperatures, but some warmth is expected during prolonged gaming.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the iQOO Z7 slow compared to the competition?
44W charging is respectable, but the Poco F5 Pro’s 67W wired and 30W wireless charging are considerably faster. The F5 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes with wired charging, while the iQOO Z7 takes 25 minutes. This difference is significant for users who prioritize quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Dimensity 920 in the iQOO Z7 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 920 is capable of running demanding games, but you may need to lower graphics settings to achieve consistently smooth frame rates. It won't deliver the same level of performance as the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro, which can handle these games at higher settings with less compromise.
