The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo iQOO Z7 and the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro. Both promise impressive features, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Poco X5 Pro edges out the iQOO Z7 thanks to its faster charging, brighter display, and the generally more efficient Snapdragon 778G chipset. However, the iQOO Z7 offers a compelling alternative with its competitive price and decent performance, making it a strong choice for budget-conscious buyers.
| 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 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 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 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 17 | 2023, February 06 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 21 | Available. Released 2023, February 07 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158.9 x 73.5 x 7.8 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 162.9 x 76 x 7.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 181 g (6.38 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) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 98.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, MIUI 14 for POCO |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | 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, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| 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 | 5.2 (Intl), 5.1 (India), A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO |
| 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 DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band - India |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 25 min | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 45 min
5W reverse wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Norway Blue, Pacific Night | Astral Black, Horizon Blue, Poco Yellow |
| Models | I2207 | 22101320G, 22101320I |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 156.00 / $ 221.33 / ₹ 22,490 |
| SAR | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 113h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.9 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 531398 (v9)
GeekBench: 2930 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 28fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z7
- Fast 44W Charging
- Competitive Price
- Decent Performance for the Price
- Sleek Design
- Less Bright Display
- Slightly Slower Performance than Poco X5 Pro
- Camera Performance Not Top-Tier
Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro
- Faster 67W Charging with PD3.0, QC4
- Brighter Display (912 nits)
- More Powerful Snapdragon 778G Chipset
- Excellent Battery Life (113h Endurance Rating)
- 5W Reverse Wired Charging
- Design Can Feel a Bit Generic
- Software Experience Can Be Bloated
Display Comparison
The Poco X5 Pro boasts a significant advantage with its measured 912 nits peak brightness, making it far more visible in direct sunlight. While the iQOO Z7's display is adequate, it lacks the same level of vibrancy and outdoor usability. The Poco X5 Pro's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a marketing term.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer capable camera systems, but detailed camera comparisons require more in-depth testing. The Poco X5 Pro likely benefits from Qualcomm's image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in slightly better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer Photo/Video capabilities.
Performance
The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro's Snapdragon 778G 5G generally outperforms the iQOO Z7's Dimensity 920 in most benchmarks and real-world usage. The Snapdragon's architecture, with its Cortex-A78 cores, provides a smoother experience for multitasking and demanding applications. The iQOO Z7 is still capable, but the Poco X5 Pro holds a noticeable edge.
Battery Life
The Poco X5 Pro's endurance rating of 113h is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. While the iQOO Z7's battery capacity is comparable, the Poco X5 Pro's more efficient chipset contributes to its superior longevity. The Poco X5 Pro's 67W charging is also significantly faster than the iQOO Z7's 44W, allowing for quicker top-ups.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the vivo iQOO Z7? Gamers on a tight budget and those prioritizing fast charging speeds will appreciate the iQOO Z7. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro? Users seeking a brighter display, faster charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for smoother overall performance will find the Poco X5 Pro a better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro generally offers a smoother gaming experience due to its more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset.
❓ Does the iQOO Z7 support 5G?
Yes, both the iQOO Z7 and the Poco X5 Pro support 5G connectivity.
❓ Which phone has faster charging?
The Xiaomi Poco X5 Pro charges significantly faster with its 67W wired charging compared to the iQOO Z7's 44W.