The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z8x and Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro represent compelling options. The Z8x focuses on efficiency with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, while the F5 Pro aims for flagship-level performance with the older, but still potent, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset delivers significantly higher performance, making it ideal for gaming and demanding tasks. While the iQOO Z8x offers respectable efficiency, the F5 Pro’s faster charging and comparable battery life make it a more well-rounded package.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 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, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, August 31 | 2023, May 09 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, September | Available. Released 2023, May |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.6 x 75.8 x 9.1 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.36 in) | 162.8 x 75.4 x 8.6 mm (6.41 x 2.97 x 0.34 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199.6 g (7.05 oz) | 204 g (7.20 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) | 1440 x 3200 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~526 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | AMOLED, 68B colors, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 1000 nits (HBM), 1400 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Adreno 730 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 3.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 | 4K@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) | GPS (L1), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I), GALILEO (E1), QZSS (L1) |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired | 67W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 50% in 15 min
30W wireless, 50% in 32 min |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 5160 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Silver | Black, White |
| Models | V2312A | 23013PC75G |
| Price | About 170 EUR | $ 449.99 / € 241.85 |
| SAR | - | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.08 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-26.2 LUFS (Good) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 1057977 (v9)
GeekBench: 4001 (v5.1), 4009 (v6)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z8x
- More efficient chipset for longer battery life during light use.
- Potentially lower price point.
- 44W charging is still respectable.
- Significantly lower performance compared to the F5 Pro.
- Display likely lacks the brightness and features of the F5 Pro.
- Limited camera details suggest a less capable system.
Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro
- Superior performance with the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1.
- Faster 67W wired and 30W wireless charging.
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
- Potentially higher price.
- More powerful chipset may lead to slightly warmer temperatures during intensive tasks.
- Battery life is comparable to the Z8x despite the more powerful processor.
Display Comparison
The Poco F5 Pro boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1059 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the iQOO Z8x. This translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the F5 Pro’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage. Details regarding panel technology (e.g., AMOLED, LCD) and refresh rate are missing for the Z8x, suggesting a more budget-focused approach to the display. The F5 Pro’s superior brightness makes it the better choice for media consumption in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information for either device, a definitive comparison is difficult. However, given the F5 Pro’s positioning as a higher-tier device, it’s reasonable to assume a more sophisticated camera system. The absence of details on the Z8x suggests a more basic camera setup focused on everyday snapshots. We can assume the F5 Pro will offer better low-light performance and more versatile shooting options.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco F5 Pro’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the iQOO Z8x’s Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm). The 8+ Gen 1 features a Cortex-X2 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside three Cortex-A710 performance cores at 2.5 GHz, and four Cortex-A510 efficiency cores. This contrasts with the Z8x’s four Cortex-A78 cores at 2.2 GHz and four Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz. The 8+ Gen 1’s architecture provides a significant boost in both single-core and multi-core performance, making the F5 Pro far more capable in demanding applications and games. While both are built on a 4nm process, the architectural differences are key.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite the F5 Pro’s more powerful chipset. However, the charging capabilities differ significantly. The Poco F5 Pro supports 67W wired charging (50% in 15 minutes), 30W wireless charging (50% in 32 minutes), and Power Delivery 3.0/Quick Charge 3+. The iQOO Z8x is limited to 44W wired charging. This faster charging on the F5 Pro provides a significant convenience advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z8x if you prioritize long-term efficiency and a lower price point, and your usage primarily revolves around everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multimedia consumption. Buy the Xiaomi Poco F5 Pro if you demand high performance for gaming, video editing, or multitasking, and value faster charging speeds and a brighter display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco F5 Pro's Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 is a powerful chip, it's known for being relatively efficient. The Poco F5 Pro likely incorporates thermal management solutions to mitigate overheating. However, sustained high-intensity gaming will inevitably generate heat, potentially leading to some throttling, but it will still outperform the Z8x significantly.
❓ How does the 44W charging on the iQOO Z8x compare to the 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro in real-world usage?
The 67W charging on the Poco F5 Pro will noticeably reduce charging times. While the iQOO Z8x’s 44W is adequate, the F5 Pro can reach 50% charge in just 15 minutes, offering a significant convenience factor for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 and Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 noticeable for everyday tasks?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging, the difference may not be immediately apparent. However, when multitasking, opening demanding apps, or editing photos/videos, the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in the Poco F5 Pro will provide a much smoother and more responsive experience.
