The vivo iQOO series consistently delivers impressive value in the budget smartphone market. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the iQOO Z7i and the iQOO Z7 (China). Both offer compelling features, but significant differences exist. Let's dive in to see which one comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7 (China) is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 782G chipset and blazing-fast 120W charging. While the Z7i offers decent performance, the Z7's raw power and charging speed make it a superior choice for most users, despite potential regional availability differences.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 13 | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 20 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | 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) | 164.6 x 75.8 x 8.8 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 (6.56 oz) | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS Ocean | Android 13, OriginOS 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 120W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Black, Blue, Orange |
| Models | V2230EA | V2270A |
| Price | About 130 EUR | About 220 EUR |
vivo iQOO Z7i
- More readily available in some markets
- Affordable price point
- Decent battery life
- Slower performance compared to Z7 (China)
- Slow charging speed
- Less powerful chipset
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- Significantly faster performance
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- More powerful chipset
- Potentially better camera processing
- Availability may be limited outside of China
- Potentially higher price (due to import costs)
- May require region-specific firmware
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely an LCD) with a high refresh rate (likely 120Hz) for smooth scrolling. However, the Z7 (China) might have slightly better color accuracy or brightness due to potential panel variations. We'll need to confirm specific panel details for a definitive comparison.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely feature a similar camera setup (likely a 50MP main sensor), the image processing capabilities will differ. The Snapdragon 782G in the Z7 (China) often benefits from better image processing algorithms, potentially resulting in slightly better photos, especially in low light. Expect similar video recording capabilities.
Performance
This is where the Z7 (China) truly shines. The Snapdragon 782G is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Dimensity 6020. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Z7 (China). The Z7i will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with demanding games or heavy workloads.
Battery Life
The Z7i's battery capacity is likely around 5000mAh, offering decent all-day battery life. However, the Z7 (China)'s 120W charging is a game-changer. It can likely charge from 0% to 100% in under 20 minutes, a significant advantage over the Z7i's 15W charging.
Buying Guide
The iQOO Z7i is a good option for users prioritizing affordability and a reliable, if not groundbreaking, experience. The iQOO Z7 (China) is ideal for those who demand faster performance, quicker charging, and are willing to potentially navigate import/availability challenges.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO Z7 (China) worth importing?
If you prioritize performance and charging speed, and are comfortable with potential import costs and firmware considerations, then yes, the iQOO Z7 (China) is worth it.
❓ What is the difference between the iQOO Z7i and the iQOO Z7?
The primary differences are the chipset (Dimensity 6020 vs Snapdragon 782G) and charging speed (15W vs 120W). The Z7 (China) offers significantly better performance and charging.
