vivo iQOO Z7i vs Xiaomi Poco F5: A Detailed Showdown

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 Z7i and the Xiaomi Poco F5. Both promise compelling features, but which one truly delivers?

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Xiaomi Poco F5 is the clear winner. Its significantly faster Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset, blazing-fast 67W charging, and brighter display outweigh the iQOO Z7i's more modest specs. While the iQOO Z7i offers decent value, the Poco F5 provides a superior overall experience.

PHONES
Phone Names	vivo iQOO Z7i	Xiaomi Poco F5

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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA, LTE, 5G
Technology	GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
	CDMA2000 1x	-

Launch
Announced	2023, March 13	2023, May 09
Status	Available. Released 2023, March 20	Available. Released 2023, May

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions	164.1 x 75.6 x 8.2 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.32 in)	161.1 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.34 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	186 (6.56 oz)	181 g (6.38 oz)
	-	IP53, dust and splash resistant

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size	6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)	6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD	AMOLED, 68B colors, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)	Octa-core (1x2.91 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.49 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm)	Qualcomm SM7475-AB Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Adreno 725
OS	Android 13, OriginOS Ocean	Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, HyperOS

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM	256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	UFS 2.2	UFS 3.1

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)	-
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	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Single	5 MP, f/1.8, (wide)	16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video	Yes	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	5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	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	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

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

Battery
Charging	15W wired	67W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 100% in 46 min
Type	5000 mAh	Li-Po 5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Black, Blue	Black, Blue, White
Models	V2230EA	23049PCD8G, 23049PCD8I
Price	About 130 EUR	€ 202.76 / $ 289.99 / ₹ 23,790
SAR	-	1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	-	0.99 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body)

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 118h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-24.3 LUFS (Very good)

vivo iQOO Z7i

Affordable price
Decent battery life
Stylish design

Slower processor
Slow charging
Less vibrant display

Xiaomi Poco F5

Powerful processor
Fast charging (67W)
Bright and vibrant display
Excellent battery life

Slightly higher price
Potential for software bloat (Xiaomi MIUI)

Display Comparison

The Poco F5 boasts a significant advantage with its 963 nits max brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. Its contrast ratio is also superior. The iQOO Z7i's display is adequate but lacks the vibrancy and brightness of the Poco F5. The Poco F5's display is likely an AMOLED panel, offering richer colors and deeper blacks, while the iQOO Z7i likely uses an LCD panel.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Poco F5 is expected to have a more advanced camera system. The Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 often pairs with better image processing capabilities. The iQOO Z7i's camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but the Poco F5 should deliver sharper images, better dynamic range, and improved low-light performance. Specific camera specs (megapixels, sensor size) would be needed for a more precise comparison.

Performance

The Poco F5's Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 chipset is a powerhouse, outperforming the iQOO Z7i's Dimensity 6020 by a considerable margin. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Poco F5. The Poco F5's CPU architecture is also more advanced, contributing to its superior speed.

Battery Life

The Poco F5 demonstrates exceptional battery life with an active use score of 11:52h and an endurance rating of 118h. The iQOO Z7i's battery life is likely good, but not as impressive as the Poco F5. Furthermore, the Poco F5's 67W charging is a game-changer, allowing for a full charge in just 46 minutes, while the iQOO Z7i's 15W charging is considerably slower.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the vivo iQOO Z7i? Those prioritizing a budget-friendly option and are less concerned with raw performance or fast charging. Who should buy the Xiaomi Poco F5? Users seeking a powerful processor, excellent battery life, a vibrant display, and rapid charging capabilities, even at a slightly higher price point.