Vivo is definitely a midrange machine in this period. Right after launching the Y95 in the Philippines, it announced the new Vivo Z1 Lite which is a sort of cheaper variant of the V9 for the Chinese market. Here, we will compare it with Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro and Huawei Honor 8C, two devices which represent excellent choices in the same price range under 200 bucks.
Vivo Z1 Lite vs Honor 8C vs Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
| Vivo Z1 Lite | Huawei Honor 8C | Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT | 154.81 x 75 x 7.9 mm | 157.2 x 76 mm, 167 grams | 149.3 x 71.7 x 8.8 mm, 178 grams |
| DISPLAY | 6.26 inches, 1080 x 2280p (HD+), 268 ppi, 19:9 ratio, IPS LCD | 6.26 inches, 720 x 1520p (HD+), 269 ppi, 19:9 ratio, IPS LCD | 5.84 inches, 1080 x 2280 pixels, 432 ppi, 19:9 ratio, IPS LCD |
| PROCESSOR | Qualcomm Snapdragon 626, octa-core 1.8 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 632, octa-core 1.8 GHz | Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, octa-core 2 GHz |
| MEMORY | 4 GB RAM, 32 GB – micro SD slot | 4 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB – micro SD dedicated slot | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB – 4 GB RAM, 64 GB, micro SD dedicated slot |
| SOFTWARE | Android 8.1 Oreo, Funtouch OS | Android 8.1 Oreo, EMUI | Android 8.1 Oreo, MIUI |
| CONNECTIVITY | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS |
| CAMERA | Dual 16 + 2 MP f/2.0 and f/2.4 16 MP f/2.0 front camera |
Dual 13 + 2 MP f/1.8 and f/2.4 8 MP f/2.0 front camera |
Dual 12 + 5 MP f/2.2 and f/2.2 5 MP f/2.0 front camera |
| BATTERY | 3260 mAh | 4000 mAh, Charging 5V / 2A 10W | 4000 mAh, Charging 5V / 2A 10W |
| ADDITIONAL FEATURES | Hybrid Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot | Dual SIM slot |
Design
Vivo Z1 Lite beats almost the whole concurrency with its wonderful design. It has a display with very narrow bezels and a minimal notch, as well as a reflective glass back which is also available in a very elegant gradient hue (Aurora Blue). The second place goes to Honor 8C, while Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro is definitely less beautiful with its full metal unibody design.
Display
Honor 8C loses the display comparison as its resolution is only HD, while Vivo Z1 Lite wins again for having a Full HD+ resolution, a larger diagonal and narrower bezels. On the other hand, Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro has a smaller panel which is more suitable for one-handed use. And it features a Full HD+ resolution as well.
Specs & Software
Huawei Honor 8C has the most powerful and recent SoC, so it should be the best one in terms of performance and efficiency, especially if we consider that it has to manage a display with a lower resolution. We are talking about the new Snapdragon 632 chipset which is a toned down version of the Snapdragon 636 found on devices like Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro. However, note that Vivo Z1 Lite comes with max 32 GB of internal storage, while Huawei Honor 8C and Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro have 64 GB variants. All of these devices have a customized Android version: Funtouch OS for the Z1, EMUI for Honor 8C and MIUI for Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro. But the latter has an international version called Mi A2 Lite with Android One.
Camera
The most convincing rear camera is the dual setup of the Honor 8C thanks to a brighter aperture which should allow capturing more light. On the other hand, Vivo Z1 Lite is a more interesting smartphone for selfies thanks to its 16 MP front camera which also supports important AI-based features. Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro has a below-average dual camera which is just sufficient for the price range, and its front camera did not convince us as well.
Battery
The battery is the strongest point of the Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro. It features a huge 4000 mAh unit paired with one of the most efficient chipsets in the market: the Snapdragon 625. This battery allows achieving a very long battery life: it can last up to two days on a single charge even with a stressed use. But Huawei Honor 8C has a 4000 mAh as well, and it also features a display with a low resolution besides a very efficient SoC. So it can last a bit more in most of the scenarios. Vivo Z1 Lite has a way smaller battery which does not allow it to take part in this fight.
Price
Vivo Z1 Lite just debuted in China with a price tag of €140/$160, Huawei Honor 8C is sold at about €170/$191 and Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro ranges from €160/$180 to €200/$225 depending on the channel. Even though it has a worse display, I think Honor 8C is currently the phone with the best value for money due to its good camera department, balanced specs, and very long battery life. But there are very marginal differences between these devices, so, whichever you choose, you will make a good choice.
Vivo Z1 Lite vs Huawei Honor 8C vs Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro: PROs and CONS
Vivo Z1 Lite
PROs
- Best display
- Affordable price
- Awesome design
- Nice cameras
CONS
- Limited availability
Huawei Honor 8C
PROs
- Good hardware
- Big battery
- Dedicated micro SD slot
- Nice camera
CONS
- Low display resolution
Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro
PROs
- Compact
- Big battery
- Wide availability
- Good display
- Micro SD dedicated slot
CONS
- More anonymous design
