The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and vivo consistently delivers strong contenders. Today, we're pitting the older vivo Z1x against the newer iQOO Z7 (China) to see which offers the best value. Both promise solid performance, but significant differences exist.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7 (China) is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 782G chipset, blazing-fast 120W charging, and more modern design. While the Z1x remains a decent option, the Z7's upgrades make it a 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 | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2023, March 20 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2023, March 24 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 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 | 189.6 g (6.70 oz) | 201.5 g (7.13 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.64 inches, 106.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10 |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 642L |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 13, OriginOS 3 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 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 | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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, aptX | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | 120W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fusion Blue, Phantom Purple | Black, Blue, Orange |
| Models | 1917, PD1921F_EX | V2270A |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | - |
vivo Z1x
- Very affordable
- Decent battery life
- Good value for basic use
- Outdated chipset
- Slow charging
- Lower performance
vivo iQOO Z7 (China)
- Fast Snapdragon 782G chipset
- Blazing-fast 120W charging
- Modern design
- Improved camera performance
- Potentially higher price than Z1x
- Software experience may vary
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar display technology (likely AMOLED or IPS LCD) with a standard refresh rate (60Hz or 90Hz). The iQOO Z7 (China) may have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to newer panel technology, but this is not definitively confirmed without specific display specs. Screen size is likely comparable, around 6.5-6.7 inches.
Camera Comparison
While both phones likely offer a multi-camera setup (main sensor, ultrawide, macro), the iQOO Z7 (China) likely benefits from improved image processing thanks to its newer chipset. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the iQOO Z7. Specific megapixel counts are needed for a more precise comparison.
Performance
This is where the iQOO Z7 (China) shines. The Snapdragon 782G is a substantial upgrade over the Snapdragon 712. Expect significantly faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the iQOO Z7. The Z1x will feel noticeably slower by comparison.
Battery Life
The iQOO Z7 (China)'s 120W charging is a game-changer. It can likely charge from 0% to 100% in under 30 minutes. The Z1x's 22.5W charging is considerably slower. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh), so the iQOO Z7's charging speed provides a massive advantage.
Buying Guide
Who should buy the vivo Z1x? Those seeking a very budget-friendly option and aren't overly concerned with performance or charging speed. Who should buy the vivo iQOO Z7 (China)? Anyone prioritizing performance, fast charging, and a more modern smartphone experience, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the vivo Z1x still worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and primarily need a phone for basic tasks like calling and texting. Otherwise, the iQOO Z7 offers a much better experience.
❓ What is the difference between the Snapdragon 712 and 782G?
The Snapdragon 782G is a newer and significantly more powerful chipset with improved CPU and GPU performance, resulting in faster speeds and better efficiency.
