Tech Blog #211 | iQOO 13: Some Downgrades from Last Gen..

The iQOO 13 enters the competitive smartphone market with a design that familiar from last year but manages to stand out through subtle enhancements. iQOO flagships always delivered the full potential of the flagship chipset. So let's see how this year be.

The premium feel of the smartphone is achieved through a combination of metal and glass materials, offering a solid build quality. At just under 8mm thick and weighing around 207g, it strikes a balance between heaviness and portability. The standout feature is the customizable "Energy Halo" LED around the camera module, which adds a unique touch to notifications and gaming experiences. However, while the aesthetics are appealing, they may not be enough to differentiate it significantly from its predecessor or competitors like the OnePlus 13, which offers similar visual appeal with additional functionalities.

The display on the iQOO 13 is impressive, featuring a 6.82-inch 2K BOE Q10 LTPO OLED panel with a remarkable 144Hz refresh rate and peak brightness reaching 4500 nits. This makes it an excellent choice for vibrant visuals and smooth scrolling, especially during gaming or video playback. Additionally, the inclusion of 2592Hz PWM dimming is commendable as it reduces flicker and eye strain, making it more comfortable for prolonged use. The LTPO technology helps in saving battery by dialing down the refresh rate.

Under the hood, the iQOO 13 is powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, coupled with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and storage options reaching 1TB via UFS 4.0. This combination promises exceptional performance for multitasking and gaming, with benchmarks indicating significant power efficiency and speed improvements. We all know the specifications are top-tier but everything is tested at day-to-day usage.

The camera system on the iQOO 13 boasts a 50MP primary sensor accompanied by two additional 50MP lenses for ultra-wide and telephoto shots. This setup allows for versatile photography options, including impressive low-light capabilities thanks to Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). The ability to record video in 8K at 24fps is a notable feature that appeals to content creators. However, the predecessor had a periscope zoom lens. It is surprising to see iQOO ditched it after one year.

Battery life is another strong point for the iQOO 13, housing a substantial 6150mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging, allowing users to reach full charge in just 30 minutes. This is particularly advantageous for heavy users who require quick top-ups throughout the day. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no wireless charging option available—a feature that many competitors offer as standard at this price point.

On the software front, the iQOO 13 runs on Android 15 with OriginOS 5.0 (in China) or Funtouch OS 15 (globally). While this provides a modern user experience with several AI enhancements aimed at improving efficiency and personalization, concerns about timely software updates is there among users who prefer guaranteed long-term support from manufacturers.

In terms of pricing, the iQOO 13 positions itself competitively within the flagship segment. It offers premium features at a lower price compared to rivals like the OnePlus 13 and Samsung Galaxy S24. However, potential buyers should weigh whether these features justify their investment compared to alternatives that may offer better software support or additional functionalities like wireless charging.

While the iQOO 13 presents itself as a strong contender in the flagship smartphone market with its robust design, impressive display, and powerful hardware specifications, it does have notable shortcomings such as limited software update assurances and missing wireless charging capabilities. For those prioritizing performance and quick charging over all-round versatility, this remains an attractive option. Others might find more value in competing devices that offer a more comprehensive feature set at similar price points.