vivo iQOO Z7x vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+: Which Mid-Range Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z7x and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ represent compelling options focused on delivering strong value. While both devices target budget-conscious consumers, they diverge in their approaches: the iQOO Z7x prioritizes a balance of features, while the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ aggressively pushes charging speed and camera capabilities. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a potentially more versatile camera system, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is the better choice. Its 120W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Dimensity 1080 offers a performance edge. However, the iQOO Z7x remains a strong contender for those seeking a more balanced package at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Z7x Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 19, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - International, China
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China
Launch
Announced2023, March 202022, October 27
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 24Available. Released 2022, November 01
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back
Dimensions164.6 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.36 in)162.9 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.41 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMDual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by)
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)208.4 g (7.34 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~86.8% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 900 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek MT6877V Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 13, Funtouch 13 (Global), Origin OS 3 (China)Android 12, MIUI 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.4", 0.56µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYes-
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 70% in 34 min120W wired, PD3.0, 100% in 19 min (advertised)
Type6000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsTropical Blue, Metallic Grey, OrangeArctic White, Iceberg Blue, Obsidian Black, Trend edition
ModelsV2272A22101316UCP, 22101316UG
PriceAbout 180 EUR$ 348.00 / £ 439.00 / € 399.00 / ₹ 29,949
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 88h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.7 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 498710 (v9) GeekBench: 2208 (v5.1), 2372 (v6) GFXBench: 22fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Z7x

  • Potentially more affordable price point
  • Balanced feature set for everyday use
  • Reliable Snapdragon 695 5G chipset

  • Slower charging speed (80W)
  • Likely less powerful camera system
  • Display likely inferior to Redmi Note 12 Pro+

Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+

  • Ultra-fast 120W charging
  • More powerful Dimensity 1080 chipset
  • Potentially superior camera system

  • Higher price tag
  • May experience more heat under heavy load
  • Software experience may vary

Display Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ boasts an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting a high-quality AMOLED panel, though specific peak brightness and color accuracy data are absent. The iQOO Z7x’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult. However, given the price bracket, it likely utilizes an LCD panel. The Redmi’s AMOLED will offer superior contrast and potentially better viewing angles, making it more suitable for media consumption. Without further data on the iQOO Z7x’s panel, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ likely holds an advantage in display quality.

Camera Comparison

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s camera system is a key differentiator, though specific sensor details beyond 'Photo / Video' are missing. The inclusion of a 200MP sensor (based on market positioning) suggests a focus on high-resolution photography. The iQOO Z7x’s camera specifications are not detailed, but it’s reasonable to assume a more modest setup. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s larger sensor and potentially wider aperture will likely result in better low-light performance and improved dynamic range. The absence of information on OIS for either device makes it difficult to assess image stabilization capabilities. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is positioned as a camera-centric device, and its hardware suggests it will deliver superior image quality.

Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6nm), featuring a more powerful CPU configuration with 2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts with the iQOO Z7x’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) which utilizes 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity 1080 represent a significant architectural improvement over the Kryo 660 Gold, translating to faster application loading and smoother multitasking. While both chips are fabricated on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 1080’s superior core design provides a clear performance advantage, particularly for gaming and demanding applications. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+ is likely to exhibit less throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s 120W wired charging is a standout feature, advertised to reach 100% charge in just 19 minutes. This is significantly faster than the iQOO Z7x’s 80W charging, which takes 34 minutes to reach 70%. While the iQOO Z7x’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s endurance rating of 88 hours suggests a substantial battery size. The faster charging speed of the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery capacity, offering a more convenient user experience. Users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their phone will greatly benefit from the Redmi’s charging speed.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Z7x if you need a reliable daily driver with decent performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, and value a balanced feature set over outright speed. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ if you prioritize extremely fast charging, want a phone capable of handling more demanding games, and are willing to pay a premium for a potentially superior camera experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ tend to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1080 is a powerful chip, thermal management is crucial. The Redmi Note 12 Pro+’s cooling system (details not provided) will determine its ability to sustain peak performance. However, the 6nm process and efficient core design should mitigate overheating compared to older, less efficient chipsets. Monitoring temperatures during gameplay is recommended.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the iQOO Z7x still considered fast charging in 2024?
80W charging is still considered fast, but it's significantly slower than the 120W charging offered by the Redmi Note 12 Pro+. While 80W can still top up the battery quickly, it won't provide the same convenience as the Redmi's ultra-fast charging capabilities. It's a trade-off between speed and potentially cost.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 695 5G handle graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile or Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 695 5G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. Genshin Impact may require lower settings to maintain smooth gameplay. The Dimensity 1080 in the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ will offer a noticeably better gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.