The vivo Z5x (2020) and Nokia 7.2 represent different approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Z5x prioritizes processing power with its Snapdragon 712, while the Nokia 7.2 focuses on a refined user experience and a respectable camera system, despite utilizing the older Snapdragon 660. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and faster charging, the vivo Z5x (2020) is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 712 offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Nokia 7.2’s Snapdragon 660, and the 18W charging is significantly quicker than Nokia’s 10W solution. However, the Nokia 7.2’s display quality is competitive.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - ROW |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - ROW |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps or LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 - IN |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 09 | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 23 |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 159.9 x 75.2 x 8.3 mm (6.30 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.1 g (7.20 oz) | 180 g (6.35 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~82.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, HDR10 |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x2.2 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SDM660 Snapdragon 660 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 512 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, Android One |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Zeiss optics, LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | Zeiss optics, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 20 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3", 0.9µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, EDR, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes (excl. India) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 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 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 10W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 3500 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Dark Blue | Cyan Green, Charcoal, Ice |
| Models | - | TA-1193, TA-1178, TA-1196, TA-1181 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 240 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.99 W/kg (head) 1.44 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -93.0dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 69h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: 1342:1 (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.6 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 139495 (v7), 164484 (v8)
GeekBench: 5440 (v4.4), 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 8.1fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Z5x (2020)
- Faster Snapdragon 712 processor for smoother performance
- 18W fast charging for quicker top-ups
- Potentially better thermal management due to 10nm process
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially lower brightness
- Camera performance is unverified without sensor details
Nokia 7.2
- Brighter display with 585 nits peak brightness
- Clean Android experience with guaranteed updates (Nokia's strength)
- Good contrast ratio for immersive viewing
- Slower Snapdragon 660 processor limits performance
- 10W charging is significantly slower than the competition
- Older chipset may receive fewer software updates long-term
Display Comparison
Both phones feature similar contrast ratios at 1342:1, suggesting comparable image depth. However, the Nokia 7.2 boasts a measured peak brightness of 585 nits, providing a noticeably brighter viewing experience, especially outdoors. While panel technology isn't specified, the Nokia 7.2’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage. The Z5x’s display specs are not provided, making a direct comparison difficult, but it likely falls short of the Nokia 7.2 in outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or OIS, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the Nokia 7.2’s brand reputation suggests a focus on image processing quality, potentially delivering more natural-looking photos. The Z5x’s camera performance is less predictable without further data. It’s likely both phones include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Z5x’s stronger processing power *could* allow for faster image processing.
Performance
The vivo Z5x (2020) is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 712 (10nm), featuring a more modern architecture than the Nokia 7.2’s Snapdragon 660 (14nm). The 712’s Kryo 360 cores, clocked at up to 2.3 GHz, offer a performance advantage over the 660’s Kryo 260 cores, peaking at 2.2 GHz. The 10nm process node of the SDM712 also translates to improved power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling during sustained workloads. This means the Z5x will handle graphically intensive games and multitasking more smoothly. The Nokia 7.2, while capable for everyday tasks, will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Z5x (2020) and Nokia 7.2 share an endurance rating of 69 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Z5x supports 18W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the Nokia 7.2’s slower 10W charging. This difference is crucial for users who prioritize quick top-ups. While both phones offer comparable longevity, the Z5x’s faster charging provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5x (2020) if you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming or multitasking, and value faster charging speeds. Buy the Nokia 7.2 if you prefer a cleaner Android experience, prioritize a well-calibrated display with good brightness, and are less concerned with raw processing power. The Nokia 7.2 also appeals to those who value a more understated design.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 660 in the Nokia 7.2 struggle with modern mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 660 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. Expect occasional stuttering and longer loading times compared to devices with more powerful chipsets like the Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5x.
❓ How much faster is the 18W charging on the vivo Z5x compared to the 10W charging on the Nokia 7.2?
The 18W charging on the Z5x will significantly reduce charging times. While exact figures depend on battery level and other factors, you can expect a full charge to take roughly 1.5-2 hours with the Z5x, compared to 2.5-3 hours with the Nokia 7.2. This difference is particularly noticeable for quick top-ups.
❓ Does the Nokia 7.2 benefit from Nokia's Android One program, and what does that mean for software updates?
Yes, the Nokia 7.2 is part of the Android One program, guaranteeing at least two years of Android version updates and three years of security patches. This is a significant advantage, ensuring your phone remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features for a longer period.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications for the vivo Z5x a cause for concern?
Yes, it is. Without knowing the sensor size, aperture, or presence of OIS, it's difficult to assess the Z5x's camera capabilities. While the Snapdragon 712 offers processing power for image enhancement, a good camera relies heavily on the quality of the hardware itself.
