The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and vivo consistently delivers strong contenders. Today, we're pitting the vivo Y21t (India) against the vivo iQOO Z7 (China) to see which offers the best value. Both phones aim to provide a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but significant differences exist.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7 is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 782G chipset, blazing-fast 120W charging, and generally superior performance. While the Y21t is a decent budget option, the Z7's upgrades make it a more compelling choice for most users.
| 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, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G |
| | - | CDMA2000 1x |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, January 03 | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, January 03 | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.31 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 | Android 13, OriginOS 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 120W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Blue, Pearl White | Black, Blue, Orange |
| Models | - | V2270A |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 220 EUR |
vivo Y21t (India)
- Affordable
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Decent battery life
- Slow charging
- Underpowered chipset
- Basic camera performance
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- Fast charging (120W)
- Powerful Snapdragon 782G chipset
- Smooth performance
- Improved camera
- Potentially higher price
- Availability may be limited depending on region
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar LCD panels, potentially around 6.5-6.6 inches with a Full HD+ resolution. However, the iQOO Z7 might offer a slightly higher refresh rate (90Hz or 120Hz) for smoother scrolling and animations, a feature often missing in the Y-series. Color accuracy and brightness are likely comparable, but the iQOO Z7's potentially higher refresh rate gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
The Y21t likely features a triple camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, while the iQOO Z7 is expected to have a similar configuration, potentially with a slightly improved main sensor and image processing. Low-light performance and video recording quality are likely to be better on the iQOO Z7 due to its more powerful chipset.
Performance
This is where the iQOO Z7 truly shines. The Snapdragon 782G is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 680. Expect significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Z7. The Y21t's 680 is adequate for everyday tasks but will struggle with demanding games or heavy workloads.
Battery Life
The iQOO Z7's 120W charging is a game-changer. It can likely charge from 0% to 100% in under 30 minutes. The Y21t's 18W charging is considerably slower. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), but the Z7's charging speed makes a huge difference in usability.
Buying Guide
The vivo Y21t is a good choice for users prioritizing affordability and a reliable, albeit basic, smartphone experience. The iQOO Z7 is ideal for those who value performance, fast charging, and a smoother overall user experience, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo Y21t a good phone for basic use?
Yes, the vivo Y21t is a decent option for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web. However, it may struggle with more demanding apps or games.
❓ Why is the iQOO Z7 more expensive than the vivo Y21t?
The iQOO Z7's higher price reflects its superior chipset (Snapdragon 782G), faster charging capabilities (120W), and generally improved performance.
