The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7i 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 comprehensive comparison to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy A54 emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior display, more powerful chipset, better camera capabilities, and faster charging. While the iQOO Z7i offers decent value, the A54 provides a more polished and feature-rich experience.
| 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, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 13 | 2023, March 15 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 20 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.32 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 | 186 (6.56 oz) | 202 g (7.13 oz) |
| | - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1000 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Exynos 1380 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MP5 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS Ocean | 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 4GB RAM, 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 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 | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | Yes | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass, barometer (USA only) |
| | - | Virtual proximity sensing |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 25W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Lime, Graphite, Violet, White |
| Models | V2230EA | 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 130 EUR | € 210.00 / $ 119.11 / £ 169.95 / ₹ 28,999 |
| SAR | - | 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 Z7i
- Large Display
- Decent Performance for the Price
- Good Value
- Slower Charging
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Mediocre Camera
Samsung Galaxy A54
- Excellent Display
- Powerful Chipset
- Superior Camera
- Long Battery Life
- Faster Charging
- Higher Price
- Design can be perceived as generic
Display Comparison
The Samsung Galaxy A54 boasts a significantly brighter display (980 nits peak) with an 'infinite' contrast ratio, offering richer colors and better visibility in sunlight. The iQOO Z7i's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the A54. The A54's display also likely has better color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy A54's camera system is generally considered superior. While both offer Photo/Video capabilities, the A54 likely has better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance. Samsung's software optimization is also a key advantage. The iQOO Z7i's camera is acceptable for casual photography but won't match the A54's quality.
Performance
The Exynos 1380 in the Galaxy A54, built on a 5nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the iQOO Z7i's Dimensity 6020 (7nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the A54. The A54's CPU architecture (Cortex-A78 cores) is also more modern and efficient.
Battery Life
Both phones offer excellent battery life, with the Galaxy A54 demonstrating exceptional endurance (119h endurance rating). The iQOO Z7i also provides solid battery performance. However, the A54's 25W charging is faster than the iQOO Z7i's 15W wired charging.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Z7i is a good choice for budget-conscious users prioritizing a large display and decent performance for everyday tasks. The Samsung Galaxy A54 is ideal for those seeking a premium feel, excellent camera quality, long battery life, and a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy A54 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and optimized software.
❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy A54 worth the extra cost?
Yes, if you prioritize display quality, camera performance, and overall performance, the Galaxy A54 is worth the investment.
❓ Does the iQOO Z7i have 5G?
Yes, the iQOO Z7i supports 5G connectivity.