Released within months of each other in 2019, the vivo Z1x and Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro represented compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. Both devices leveraged Qualcomm’s Snapdragon platform, but employed different chipsets – the Snapdragon 712 in the Z1x and the Snapdragon 675 in the Note 7 Pro – leading to distinct performance and efficiency profiles. This comparison dissects those differences, helping you understand which phone offered the better experience for its time.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the vivo Z1x emerges as the slightly better choice. Its Snapdragon 712, built on a smaller 10nm process, delivers a noticeable edge in CPU-intensive tasks and benefits from 22.5W fast charging, despite the Redmi Note 7 Pro’s Quick Charge 4 support.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2019, September. Released 2019, September | 2019, February 28. Released 2019, March 18 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 159.2 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189.6 g (6.70 oz) | 186 g (6.56 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~81.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 612 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, MIUI 12 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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@30/60/120fps, (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 13 MP, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm |
| 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio, recording |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired
5W reverse wired | 18W wired, QC4 |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fusion Blue, Phantom Purple | Nebula Red, Neptune Blue, Space Black, Astro White |
| Models | 1917, PD1921F_EX | M1901F7S |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 260 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.55 W/kg (body) | 0.96 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 180754 (v7), 215308 (v8)
GeekBench: 6620 (v4.4), 1624 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 7.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z1x
- Faster CPU performance with Snapdragon 712
- Faster 22.5W charging
- Potentially better thermal management due to 10nm process
- Potentially slightly lower battery efficiency compared to the 675
- May have been priced slightly higher at launch
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro
- More power-efficient Snapdragon 675 (11nm)
- Quick Charge 4 compatibility
- Likely more affordable at launch
- Slower CPU performance compared to the 712
- Slower 18W charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a particularly standout display in today’s market, but both likely featured LCD panels common for their price point. Specifics like peak brightness and color accuracy are unavailable, but the focus here is on the internal hardware. The display quality would have been largely comparable, with the user experience dictated more by software calibration than inherent panel capabilities.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. Both phones likely featured a primary camera as their main selling point. The image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 712 is generally more capable than the 675’s, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos. However, software processing plays a significant role, and Xiaomi’s image processing algorithms were often aggressive, while vivo tended towards more natural results. The presence of a dedicated ISP in both chipsets would have allowed for basic features like HDR and portrait mode.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Z1x’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) features a Kryo 360 CPU configuration with 2x2.3 GHz Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores. The Redmi Note 7 Pro’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm) uses a Kryo 460 configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores. While both are octa-core designs, the 712’s higher clock speeds on the performance cores translate to a tangible advantage in tasks like app loading and gaming. The 10nm process of the 712 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during prolonged use. The 675’s 11nm process aims for efficiency, but sacrifices some peak performance. The Adreno 615 GPU in the 712 also offers a slight edge over the 675’s Adreno 612.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely featured batteries in the 4000mAh range, typical for the time. The vivo Z1x’s 22.5W wired charging is a clear advantage over the Redmi Note 7 Pro’s 18W wired charging, even with the Redmi’s Quick Charge 4 support. The higher wattage translates to significantly faster charging times, reducing downtime. While the 675’s 11nm process offers better power efficiency, the Z1x’s faster charging mitigates any potential battery life advantage the Redmi might have had.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z1x if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease, and if faster charging speeds are a priority. The Snapdragon 712 provides a more responsive experience. Buy the Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro if you prioritize a slightly more power-efficient chipset for extended light usage, and if Quick Charge 4 compatibility with existing chargers is important. The 11nm process of the 675 offers better efficiency in less demanding scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 675 in the Redmi Note 7 Pro struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
While the Snapdragon 675 is capable of running PUBG, users might experience occasional frame drops or the need to lower graphics settings for a smoother experience. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z1x offers a more consistent gaming performance, allowing for higher settings and fewer compromises.
❓ Does the faster charging on the vivo Z1x significantly reduce charging time compared to the Redmi Note 7 Pro?
Yes, the 22.5W charging on the Z1x will noticeably reduce charging time. Expect a 0-100% charge to be considerably faster than the Redmi Note 7 Pro’s 18W charging, potentially shaving off 30-60 minutes depending on battery capacity.
❓ Is the difference in CPU performance between the Snapdragon 712 and 675 noticeable in everyday tasks?
The difference is most noticeable when multitasking, opening demanding apps, or performing CPU-intensive tasks like video editing. For basic usage like browsing and social media, the difference will be less apparent, but the Z1x will feel more responsive overall.
