iQOO Z7 vs Redmi Note 12 5G: the sub-Rs 20,000 champion?

The sub-20k smartphone segment has seen a lot of action and the latest one is the iQOO Z7. We pit it against the Redmi Note 12 5G to see how it stacks up.

Design and Appearance: Size and notch vary

The iQOO Z7 and Redmi Note 12 5G went to completely different design schools and it shows. The iQOO Z7 (above) is a compact device with straight sides, a flat back, and a square jet black camera module, while the Redmi Note 12 is on the larger side, has a hint of curve on both sides and back, and has a generally rectangular camera module of the same color as the back. Both phones come with tall screens on the front, but the iQOO Z7 has a waterdrop notch while the Redmi Note 12 has a punch-hole cutout. Both phones have a plastic back and frames, and they come in different colors. While the iQOO Z7 comes with Norway Blue and Quiet Night color change, the Redmi Note 12 (below) has Frosted Green, Matte Black, and Mystic Blue.

Which design you prefer depends on your own taste, but the iQOO Z7 scores big by being more compact and lighter – it’s 158.9mm x 73.5mm x 7.8mm and weighs 173g, versus the 165.88mm x 76.21mm x 7.98mm and 188g of the Redmi Note 12. The iQOO Z7 also comes with slightly better splash resistance at IP54 compared to the IP53 of the Redmi Note 12. All combined with a more modern design wins this out for the iQOO Z7, but we could see people being put off by the first notch.

Winner: iQOO Z7

Processor: MediaTek’s older take on the relatively new Qualcomm

Running the display below these two different windows are two equally different processors. The iQOO Z7 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 920 processor, while the Redmi Note 12 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 chip. Both are mid-range chipsets, but although the Dimensity 920 is older, it is a better performer than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 on many from the fronts. In fact, we’ve seen the Dimensity 920 on devices with much higher price tags, most notably Xiaomi’s own 11i Hypercharge. In terms of absolute specifications and standards, the iQOO Z7 has the advantage here.

Winner: iQOO Z7

Memory: RAM and storage objects

Both phones come with 128GB of storage, expandable via microSD card (using the hybrid SIM slot), but the iQOO Z7 steals a clear march over the Redmi Note 12 by having 6GB and 8GB RAM variants vs. memory variants. Random access (RAM) 4 GB and 6 GB. Redmi Note 12. This is another roundup of iQOO Z7.

Winner: iQOO Z7

Display: Refresh rate and size issues

The Redmi Note 12 comes into contention in the all-important display department. While both phones come with Full HD+ AMOLED displays, the Redmi Note 12 has a larger 6.67-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate compared to the 6.38-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate on the iQOO Z7. We found the Redmi Note 12’s screen to be brighter, too. There is only one winner here, and he is able to notice.

Winner: Redmi Note 12

Cameras: Factor OIS

On paper, it looks like a round iQOO Z7. After all, the Z7 comes with OIS and a camera with a higher megapixel count (64MP vs. 48MP on the Note). Well, if you’re only going to use one camera on the phone, the iQOO Z7 comfortably wins this one, with a 64MP main sensor with OIS that delivers great shots, even in low light. It’s a clear step ahead of the 48MP sensor on the Redmi Note 12 in terms of detail. But bring other cameras into play and soon the Note 12 can sneak ahead of the Z7. While the Z7 only has a 2MP depth sensor as a secondary camera, the Redmi Note 12 comes with an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera. Of those, the 8MP ultrawide is definitely usable and even the 2MP macro does some sort of work. In the front camera department, there isn’t much to choose between the iQOO Z7’s 16MP sensor and the Redmi Note 12’s 13MP sensor, both of which produce nice, soft results, but we hand it over to the Z7 by a thin margin as it seems to get a bit more detail. Both phones come with a number of creative photography options, but we think the iQOO Z7 brings more to the table at this level. This main sensor wins this round for the iQOO Z7.

Winner: iQOO Z7

Games and multimedia: a bigger screen or a faster chip

When it comes to gaming, the more powerful chip gives the iQOO Z7 a clear advantage over the Redmi Note 12. Games load faster and run more smoothly on the higher settings on the IQOO Z7, though the difference wasn’t as noticeable at the relatively low settings. However, the Redmi Note 12’s larger and brighter screen makes it a better device for viewing content like videos and shows, and even gamers will appreciate the extra real estate it offers. Both phones come with single speakers and the Redmi Note 12 seems to work at slightly higher volumes, but we recommend using the 3.5mm audio jacks on both devices for the best audio experience. Its processor and gaming prowess win this round for the iQOO Z7, but those who binge-watch may prefer the Redmi Note 12.

Winner: iQOO Z7

Battery and charge: speed vs. duration

iQOO Z7 comes with a 4,500mAh battery while Redmi Note 12 has a 5,000mAh battery. Even though the iQOO Z7 has a smaller screen with a lower refresh rate, it still tends to see about a day of normal use, while the Redmi Note 12 comfortably exceeds one day of use (some credit to the power of a better chip management Snapdragon). iQOO Z7 comes with support for 44W charging and a 44W charger while Redmi Note 12 has a 33W charger and supports 33W charging. However, both phones fully charge in just over an hour – we expected the iQOO Z7 to have a clear advantage here but that’s not the case. We give this one to the Redmi Note 12 because it lasts longer with a larger screen and charges just as quickly.

Winner: Redmi Note 12

Software: Latest Android wins

Both phones come with their own interfaces on top of the Android system. IQOO Z7 is the clear winner here. Although the FunTouch OS is a bit more crowded than MIUI in the Redmi Note 12, it runs on top of Android 13, while the Redmi Note 12 runs on Android 12 which gives it a solid software edge. If you prefer a cleaner user interface, we recommend the Redmi Note 12, but overall, the newer version of Android wins this one for the IQOO Z7.

Winner: iQOO Z7

General performance: everyday objects

I
n In terms of general use (web browsing, mail, messaging, social media and the like), there isn’t much between the two devices. The iQOO Z7’s more compact form factor makes it easier to handle, but the Redmi Note 12’s larger screen makes it a better device for watching content. We also felt that the Redmi Note 12 handled calls better than the iQOO Z7, and that the side-mounted fingerprint scanner worked smoother than the in-display one on the iQOO Z7. And the Redmi Note 12’s less cluttered interface makes it marginally easier to work with than the iQOO Z7’s. We award this device a slim margin to the Redmi Note 12, but those who like more compact devices will prefer the iQOO Z7 for everyday use!

Winner: Redmi Note 12

Price: Count that Rs

iQOO Z7 is available at Rs 18,999 for 6GB/128GB and Rs 19,999 for 8GB/128GB. Redmi Note 12 starts at under Rs 17,999 but that’s for the lower 4GB/128GB variant, while the 6GB/128GB variant is priced at Rs 19,999. If you want to save every possible penny, the Redmi Note 12’s low starting price gives it an edge, but if you’re looking for value for money, the iQOO Z7 is the clear winner, offering 8GB / 128GB at the price where the Note 12 gives 6GB / 128GB. The iQOO Z7 wins this one for us, because we truly believe that anyone who spends close to Rs 20,000 should have at least 6GB of RAM on their device.

Winner: iQOO Z7

Verdict: Which do I go?

So, if you have a budget under Rs 20,000, which of these two phones should you buy? Both phones have their own strengths and weaknesses, but as the above showdown shows, the iQOO Z7 outperforms the Redmi Note 12 in most areas, including important aspects like the processor, camera, and software. Yes, the Redmi Note 12 has a better display, an extra useful camera and better battery life, and it comes with a lower starting price, but all said and done, we think the iQOO Z7 is the better choice for those who focus on performance. This drop might sound a bit outdated, but if you can afford it, the iQOO Z7 is probably the best smartphone you can get right now under Rs 20,000. It’s been a while since we said that about a phone that wasn’t a Redmi Note.