It is raining mid-segment devices from the house of Vivo. The brand launched the super sleek and slim Vivo V29e 5G a few days ago and now has come out with a new phone from its sub-brand iQoo, the iQoo Z7 Pro. Whereas the Vivo V29e 5G had been all about style and selfies, the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G focuses mainly on performance.
The highlight of the device is the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 5G processor, which is perhaps one of the most powerful in its segment. But that does not mean it misses out on design – at 7.36 mm, it is one of the slimmest phones around (slimmer than the iPhone 14) and comes with a shimmery glass back that sparkles when light falls on it, as well as a very distinct large circular flash. It boasts a 6.78-inch Full HD+ curved AMOLED display and a 64-megapixel main camera sensor with OIS as well as a 16-megapixel selfie camera. With 8GB RAM and 128 GB and 256 GB storage options, this is a phone made for performance, especially in the gaming and multi-tasking zone.
Some might find its 4,600mAh battery on the smaller side given the prevalence of 5000 mAh batteries in the mid-segment, although it charges at a very respectable 66W and has a 66W charger in the box. Others might point to the absence of stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack, but the fact remains that at its starting price of Rs 23,999, the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G is a terrific deal for those wanting a powerful device on a relatively modest budget.
Impressive though it is, the iQoo 7 Pro 5G faces a number of challengers. They might not be able to match its processing power, but score on other factors, giving those looking for a phone for around Rs 25,000 a very pleasant problem of plenty.
These five phones in particular give the latest iQoo kid on the block a good run for its money:
Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G: The Note In The Sub-Rs 25,000 House 
Price: Rs 23,999 onwards
One of the most Note-able challengers to the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G is the Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G. The device might not have the curved display of the iQoo phone, or be as slim and stylish, but it comes with the Redmi Note reputation of rock-steady performance. Its 6.67 inch AMOLED display is not curved and is slightly smaller than the one on the iQoo Z7 Pro, but is still a good one with an FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Similarly, its Dimensity 1080 chip is not the sort of gaming monster that the Dimensity 7200 on the Z7 Pro, but it remains a capable daily driver.
The Note also packs in features like a superb 50-megapixel main sensor with OIS and a decent 16-megapixel selfie camera and steals a march over the iQoo Z7 Pro with its stereo speakers and 3.5 mm jack. It also has a bigger 5,000mAh battery with 67W charging.
Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G: Combining Style And Camera Muscle 
Price: Rs 23,999
Perhaps the most spectacular device in terms of appearance in this group, the Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G will turn heads with its vegan leather back (especially the orange variant) and large circular camera unit. Even its front is a rarity in this segment – a curved 6.7 inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. Round that off with a superb 100-megapixel main camera with OIS, a handy 16-megapixel selfie snapper, stereo speakers and a huge 5,000mAh battery with 67W charging, and the Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G seems to totally outgun the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G.
However, its Dimensity 7050 chip is not really in the league of the Dimensity 7200 on the iQoo Z7 Pro, which makes it a distant second in the power and gaming stakes.
Motorola Edge 30 5G: Carrying That Super Slim Edge 
Price: Rs 22,999 onwards
The veteran in this list, the Moto Edge 30 5G was launched more than a year ago, but still remains a great device for those with a budget of about Rs 25,000. Its 6.5-inch pOLED display is significantly smaller than the one on the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G, but it has the same FHD+ resolution and actually a higher refresh rate of 144Hz. And while the phone might look a trifle plain, at 6.79 mm, it is even slimmer than the uber slim iQoo Z7 Pro 5G, and its Snapdragon 778G+ processor is still a super performer (although a notch below the Dimensity 7200 on the iQoo Z7 Pro).
It also is one of the few phones in the segment to come with two 50-megapixel cameras (one with OIS) on its back and has a very good 32-megapixel selfie camera too. It also boasts stereo speakers but comes with a much smaller 4020 mAh battery with only 33W charging. Android purists will however love the clean stock Android running on it, unlike the cluttered FunTouch OS interface on the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G.
Poco X5 Pro 5G: Hardware Muscle 
Price: Rs 22,999 onwards
If you love your phone cameras coming loaded with megapixels, the Poco X5 Pro 5G is a great option for you. The phone comes with a 108-megapixel main sensor (although with no OIS) and a very handy 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, making it the megapixel monster in this list. It is also very well specced in other regards, with a 6.67 inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, although with no curve whatsoever.
The Snapdragon 778G powering it is not as good as the Dimensity 7200 on the iQoo Z7 Pro, but is a very good chip for casual gaming and can even handle some high-end gaming with a few graphics tweaks, The Poco X5 Pro 5G also boasts a larger 5,000mAh battery with 67W charging and has stereo speakers as well as a 3.5mm audio jack.
It is no design wizard, but a very well-rounded product.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G: Never Settler In The House
Price: Rs 26,999 onwards
The Nord CE 3 5G’s elegant and understated design might not turn heads like the slim and shimmering iQoo Z7 Pro, but has its own appeal. The phone also features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. It is not curved but is bright and serves punchy colours. Also punchy is the Snapdragon 782 chip powering the OnePlus Nord CE 3 5G.
It is not a match for the Dimensity 7200 on the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G, but handles everyday tasks smoothly and can even deliver a decent gaming experience with some care. Helping it be a smooth operator is the uncluttered OyxgenOS that runs on the device, while a large 5000 mAh battery keeps it running for more than a day and an 80W fast charger recharges it in next to no time. The Nord CE 3 5G also sports a very good flagship-level Sony IMX890 50-megapixel sensor with OIS and a handy 8-megapixel ultrawide camera as well as a capable 16-megapixel selfie snapper, giving it an edge over the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G in the camera department. It might come with a higher price tag, but this Never Settler could unsettle the iQoo Z7 Pro 5G.
