vivo iQOO Z7i vs TCL 40 SE: Which Budget Champion Reigns?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the vivo iQOO Z7i and the TCL 40 SE. Both promise a lot, but which one delivers the best overall experience?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The iQOO Z7i edges out the TCL 40 SE thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 6020 chipset, resulting in smoother performance. While the TCL 40 SE offers a slightly faster charging speed, the iQOO Z7i's processing power makes it the better choice for most users.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo iQOO Z7i	TCL 40 SE

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - T610K
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 13, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T610K
5G bands	1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	-
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/75 Mbps
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	CDMA2000 1x	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 28, 38, 40, 66 - T610E, T610P

Launch
Announced	2023, March 13	2023, January 05
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 20	Available. Released 2023, April 04

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	164.1 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.32 in)	167.9 x 76.5 x 8.5 mm (6.61 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	186 (6.56 oz)	190 g (6.70 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~260 ppi density)
Size	6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.75 inches, 110.0 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (typ)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm)	Mediatek MT6765 Helio G37 (12 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	PowerVR GE8320
OS	Android 13, OriginOS Ocean	Android 13, TCL UI 5.0

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM	128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	eMMC 5.1

Main Camera
Dual	13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)	-
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP, f/1.8, (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm
Triple	-	50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR
Single	5 MP, f/1.8, (wide)	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Video	Yes	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes (T610K, T610K2, T610P, T610P2)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	Unspecified
USB	USB Type-C, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0
WLAN	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity

Battery
Charging	15W wired	18W wired
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 5010 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue	Dark grey, Twilight purple
Models	V2230EA	T610K
Price	About 130 EUR	About 120 EUR

vivo iQOO Z7i

Significantly faster performance
Potentially higher refresh rate display
Modern chipset (Dimensity 6020)
Likely better image processing

Slower charging speed (15W)
Design may be less premium

TCL 40 SE

Slightly faster charging (18W)
Potentially more refined software experience
Competitive price

Slower performance (Helio G37)
Standard 60Hz display
Less powerful chipset

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large displays, likely around 6.6-6.7 inches, with Full HD+ resolution. Expect decent viewing angles and color accuracy for everyday use. The iQOO Z7i might have a slightly higher refresh rate (potentially 120Hz) which would result in smoother scrolling and animations compared to the TCL 40 SE's likely standard 60Hz.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are likely similar in terms of megapixel count for the main sensors (likely around 50MP). However, the iQOO Z7i's more powerful chipset could lead to better image processing and overall photo quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both phones likely include ultrawide and macro lenses, but image quality will vary.

Performance

This is where the iQOO Z7i shines. The Dimensity 6020, built on a 7nm process, offers a substantial performance advantage over the TCL 40 SE's Helio G37 (12nm). Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the iQOO Z7i. The TCL 40 SE will handle basic tasks adequately, but may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both phones likely feature large batteries (around 5000mAh). The TCL 40 SE has a slight edge in charging speed with 18W wired charging compared to the iQOO Z7i's 15W. However, battery life should be comparable in real-world usage.

Buying Guide

The vivo iQOO Z7i is ideal for users prioritizing performance and gaming on a budget. The TCL 40 SE is a good option for those who value a slightly faster charging speed and a potentially more refined software experience, though performance will be noticeably slower.