iQOO 13 Review: The Perfect Budget Flagship?

The iQOO 13 Stands out with its stunning LTPO OLED display, flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, versatile 50MP triple-camera system, and long-lasting battery (ask S25 users!) with the 120W fast charging. Paired with a clean(er) Funtouch OS 15 experience and a very durable-feeling build, it’s a balanced flagship that delivers performance, reliability, and premium features at excellent value. No, really!

No wonder, iQOO 13 is a great device – both on paper in performance. But let's talk in detail about the small gains and losses across various parts of iQOO 13 and see if it deserves to be your next purchase. Sure, it has some areas where it could do well, but do that matter to you? And by how much? This is our iQOO 13 review!

iQOO 13 review (8.5/10)

Device score: Overall: 8.5/10 (Value for money: 9.5/10)

iQOO 13 review

iQOO 13 is an excellent package for everyone, even though it's gaming oriented. Unless you need advanced telephoto camera and videography capabilities, or wireless charging, or a compact phone, simply told, iQOO 13 is unbeatable for its price!

Device review score: 8.5/10 (Value for money: 9.5/10)

Category-wise scores

Quick pros and cons (TL;DR)

Verdict

If you ask me, the iQOO 13 strikes a perfect(ish) balance between subtle sophistication and raw power. It doesn’t try to be flashy but nails the essentials – a top-tier performance, beautiful display, fast charging, and impressive battery life. Its refined design is complemented by the "Monster Halo" light at the back, adding just enough personality without being over the top.

Funtouch OS 15, built on Android 15, keeps things streamlined while still packing in smart AI features and long-term software support. It’s responsive, intuitive, and easy on the eyes, making daily usage a delight. AOD and notifications are sorted out, in case you're wondering – the same cannot be said for OnePlus 13 and Realme GT 7 Pro, for example. Though, we would prefer One UI 7 in Galaxy S24/S25 and stock Android in Pixel phones anytime over this.

The camera, even though really great for casual photography, doesn’t push boundaries, particularly in telephoto and videography. Wireless charging is missing, but with the ridiculously fast wired charging and a large battery, it’s hardly a dealbreaker.

If you want a device that delivers flagship-grade performance while staying sleek, powerful, and practical, the iQOO 13 is a fantastic pick. Just keep in mind that if you need a pro-level camera setup or a super-compact phone, this might not be the perfect fit.

That’s the quick take! For the full review, scroll down, and if you’ve got any questions, just ask—we’re happy to help!

That was the gist of our iQOO 13 review that you can find below. Now, let's take a detailed look at everything iQOO 13 offers.

Design (9/10)

Before talking about its clean, thoughtful, understated and sensible design, let's quickly check out some core specs at design level first.

• Dimensions: 163.37 × 76.71 × 8.13 mm (Legend and Nardo Grey color); 163.37 × 76.71 × 7.99 mm (Alpha color, not available in India)
• Weight: 213 g (Legend and Nardo Grey), 207 g (Alpha)
• Front glass protection: Schott Xensation Alpha
• Back Cover Material: Glass (Legend and Nardo Grey), fiberglass (Alpha)
• Ingress Protection Rating: IP68 & IP69
• Fingerprint Sensor Type: 3D ultrasonic single fingerprint sensor
• Additional features: Dynamic Light (RGB) at the back
• Body SAR: 0.90W/Kg (body), 0.99W/Kg (head)

iQOO's 13 design is minimal, no-nonsense and very soothing on eyes. It doesn't feature anything remotely outrageous and only its only striking feature is its pure sobriety in design – something that basically also carries over to every part of this phone in small/large proportions. Meaning? You will find that even the software, cameras, display, buttons, body, everything offers a soothing experience. It's a pleasant devices to hold and use.

iQOO 13 is pretty thin at just 8.13 mm, and its weight of 213 grams is more than OnePlus 13 but it's not very heavy. Coming from OnePlus 13, I instantly felt the extra weight but that thoughts was easily lost comfortably in a few days and the iQOO 13 does feel slim in your hand. That said, the device does feel a bit bulkier and heavier if you compare it directly side-by-side to Galaxy S25 Ultra (my next device for review, thus the quick comparison and in-hand feel thoughts), or OnePlus 13 but the difference is lesser here compared to Galaxy S25 Ultra, which feels surisingly lighter than both the iQOO 13 and OnePlus 13 – probably thanks to god weight management by Samsung.

Mind you, OnePlus 13 (at 8.6 mm) is a hair thicker than iQOO 13 (8.13 mm) but because the former features a quad-curve display and rounded edges on the back too, it feels noticeably slimmer in hand than iQOO 13. While, Galaxy S25 Ultra is almost the same thick (8.2 mm) as the iQOO 13.

With IP68 and IP69 protection, the iQOO 13 doesn't skimp on durability and with ultrasonic fingerprint tech on the front, you get the latest and greatest in these tech for a very nominal price comparatively. The fingerprint scanner is pretty fast and very reliable. Speaking of durability, we are not sure if Schott Xensation Alpha is the best choice compared to let's say, Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass that secures the front of the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but then again, we're talking about a budget phone here.

The haptic feedback, too, on iQOO 13 is great. It's not very impressive like it is on OnePlus 13 and Galaxy S25 Ultra, but it's not lacking in quality by any means and is only a step down from the absolute best on Android. I really liked the vibration motor and its performance and the fact that iQOO did not compromise here. You can customize the vibration quality for gaming and general use in settings, which is great!

The colors choices with iQOO 13 are pretty straightforward, universal and you-guessed-it, sober! You can buy the phone in India in two colors, White and Grey, called Legend and Nardo Grey officially. The Legend iQOO 13 features an anti-glare glass (AG glass) and BMW's tri-color lines while the Nardo Grey variant features Enamel Glass without any branding, and while it throws out slightly more reflection than the white model, both are quite understated and not flashy at all.

The Dynamic Light around the camera icon is an excellent add-on. You can't dismiss it as something merely fancy as it's a feature that is pretty unique, somewhat fancy, yes, but greatly useful too, not doubt – mostly when you keep your phone front-down. It offers some additional features too, like it would light up each time with the beep sound when you use a timer to click a photo – thus very helpful in preparing yourself for the photo or a group photo. The light would flash up several times when the timer is about to end and the photo will be clicked.

While Dynamic Light is compatible with Calls and Notifications, as you would expect it to be, it can also entertain you to music beats when enabled so in Settings. Given its cool effect, people may often ask you to show it off, which you can do by triggering it manually using the "Atmospheric light effect" option in Settings, also available as notification tile for quick access in the notifications shade. I, and my small kid, love playing it – more so because you can change the effects between Breathing, Pulsating, Jumping, and lastly, Flowing. You can also change its speed and color (choosing from 14 presets, including 3 gradient choices).

iQOO 13 design verdict:

iQOO 13's design is subtle and sober, and it features nearly all the necessary features, including IP68/IP69 ratings and ultrasonic fingerprint tech. The halo light at the back is a great addition to an impressive design, and the colorways are great even though quite limited. It won't win any awards for thickness even though it is pretty slim at 8.13mm. It's slightly bulky, but yes, very sweet and right up to the mark! We only wish it had more color choices, something to appeal for users who prefer fancy colors, including girls and ladies for a major part, as the whole package currently seems to be targeting gamers for the most part when it comes to design, even though the phone is an excellent package for nearly everyone!

iQOO 13 design score: 9/10

Performance (9.5/10)

Let's get through the specs first.

You’re here for one reason—you want a phone that’s powerful, future-proof, and doesn’t demand an outrageous price tag. And if it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, you already know it belongs to the upper echelon of 2025’s flagship Android devices, right alongside the iQOO 13 and Realme GT 7 Pro.

Naturally, the iQOO 13 harnesses the Snapdragon 8 Elite to deliver an experience so fast, efficient, and AI-enhanced that it makes last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 feel almost prehistoric. The leap in power is so significant that once you use this chipset, everything else seems like it belongs to another era.

The iQOO 13 refuses to slow down. No matter what you throw at it, this phone performs with an almost arrogant smoothness—lag and stutter are simply not in its vocabulary. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it delivers an ultra-fast experience, from app launches to multitasking, making last-gen flagships feel sluggish by comparison.

Backing up this powerhouse is iQOO’s Q2 co-processor, which works behind the scenes to offload graphic-heavy tasks, ensuring stability and efficient cooling during demanding workloads. Gaming stays fluid, thermals stay in check, and even after hours of use, the phone remains comfortable to hold. With up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and ample storage options, switching between apps is instant, and running out of space isn’t something you’ll have to worry about.

Modern connectivity features like Wi-Fi 7, 5G, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC provide seamless network performance. Over two weeks of testing, the only issue encountered was a rare Wi-Fi calling hiccup—easily fixed by switching to mobile data. Interestingly, similar issues were noticed on the Realme GT 7 Pro before a software update patched it.

The build is as premium as the hardware inside. The aluminum frame and glass back feel solid and well-balanced, though the sleek edges can be a little slippery. Fortunately, iQOO includes a standout transparent TPU case in the box, which is leagues ahead of the generic ones from Realme and Xiaomi. It enhances grip while allowing the BMW tri-color branding and dynamic lighting around the camera to shine through.

Cooling is top-notch thanks to the vapor chamber system, ensuring sustained peak performance without overheating. Funtouch OS on Android 15 feels snappy and well-optimized, with animations that glide and a UI that remains consistently fluid. If you value performance that never stumbles, the iQOO 13 delivers it in style.

Gaming on the iQOO 13 is a breeze—no frame drops, no overheating, just smooth, stable performance. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset ensures that even under pressure, the phone keeps its cool. Thanks to smart throttling, you get consistent speeds without worrying about performance dips, making long gaming sessions effortless.

Power efficiency is just as impressive. The synergy between hardware and software ensures that performance remains balanced throughout the day. Whether handling multiple apps or diving into a resource-heavy game, the phone optimizes energy consumption without compromising speed.

iQOO 13 performance verdict

The iQOO 13 is, quite simply, one of the fastest Android phones out there. Work, play, or anything in between—it handles everything like a pro, with zero compromises on performance. Even better, it does all this without excessive heat or battery drain, making it an unbeatable deal at ₹55,000 (₹54K with discounts).

iQOO 13 performance score: 9.5/10

Display (9/10)

Let's check out the display specs of iQOO 13 first:

iQOO 13 sports a 6.82‑inch LTPO OLED screen with a resolution of 1440 x 3168 pixels (thus, 510 PPI, the same as OnePlus 13) which means you get a sharp and detailed view whether you’re watching videos, browsing photos, or playing games. The extra bit of screen real estate compared to its predecessor might not seem huge at first, but it does make the overall experience noticeably better. With a 10‑bit color depth and support for HDR10+, the display manages to show a wide range of colors accurately and with good contrast.

One thing I would like to mention here is that I have used the phone to watch live stream of football and cricket matches, and they have been very pleasing on iQOO 13. I have used the OnePlus 13 and Realme GT 7 Pro before iQOO 13, and it felt better than the previous two.

The display panel in iQOO 13 is built using BOE’s Q10 8T LTPO OLED technology, and one of the interesting features it includes is OLED Circular Polarization. In simple terms, this technology helps reduce glare and reflections, which is a real bonus when you’re out in bright conditions. Even when you’re under direct sunlight, the screen stays readable without the colors washing out. You might even forget you're outside because its display is just as impressive as when you're indoors.

Also worth noticing is how the slim bezels on the iQOO 13 keep grabbing your attention—even if you already admired them at first glance. They give you more screen real estate in a slim package—a claim many phones make, but the iQOO 13 genuinely feels that way, which is pretty rare.

When it comes to brightness, the display can reach a manual peak of around 515 nits. More importantly, it has an automatic boost that can take the brightness up to about 1,800 nits when needed. This means that whether you’re indoors or outside in bright light, you’re less likely to struggle with a dim or hard-to-read screen. It’s a practical feature that ensures you can comfortably view your content in almost any lighting condition.

One great thing about the iQOO 13 display is how dim it can go. It’s perfect for those late-night binge-watching sessions in bed or anytime you're in a dark room with the lights off. Even without activating the "Extra dim" option in the Settings app (available via quick toggle too), the display is enough dim to feel easy on your eyes – even without enabling "eye protection" mode.

For those who enjoy fast-paced content, the display’s support for a 144Hz refresh rate is a definite plus. This high refresh rate makes scrolling, swiping, and even gaming feel smooth and responsive. Yes, it's a tad better than what OnePlus 13 as that's limited to 120Hz.

The phone is smart enough to adjust the refresh rate on the fly. For instance, if you’re just reading an article or browsing a website, it can drop down to as low as 1Hz to help save battery life. Of course, some apps might still stick to a more standard 60Hz, but overall, the display handles transitions well when you need that extra smoothness.

If you love smoother visuals and can forego some battery life in its favor, we recommend you change the refresh rate in Settings from Auto (called "Smart Switch") to "High" (144 Hz). It does create a very satisfying experience.

Color accuracy is another area where the iQOO 13’s screen stands out. With its 10‑bit panel, it can display over a billion colors, which means that gradients look smooth and you don’t see any annoying banding effects. The screen covers most of the sRGB range and a large part of the DCI‑P3 gamut, so the colors you see are pretty close to what they’re meant to be. Plus, there are several color profiles available if you want to adjust the display settings to your liking. The default mode offers a balanced look, but you also have options if you prefer a more vivid or a more subdued display for tasks like photo editing.

Screen colors options in iQOO:

• Standard (default): Produces only slightly saturated colors.
• Professional: Muted, true colors.
• Bright: Vivid colors that are saturated. Not overblown, do not worry!

Thanks to LTPO tech in iQOO 13, the device adjusts the refresh rate on the fly to save battery without skimping on performance.

In everyday use, the iQOO 13’s display performs reliably across different scenarios. Whether you’re streaming a movie, playing a game, or just checking your social media feeds, the visuals are clear and the colors remain accurate. Even in bright outdoor settings where many screens struggle, this display holds up well, maintaining clarity and contrast without any noticeable issues.

iQOO 13 display verdict:

If you’re looking for a phone that offers a reliable and well-tuned display without the extra frills, the iQOO 13's display won't disappoint you.

iQOO 13 display rating: 9/10

Battery (9.5/10)

Let's first take a look at the battery specs of the iQOO 13.

Let me put this bluntly: I'm absolutely blown away by the iQOO 13's battery performance. I couldn't have predicted just how reliable it would be, so let me break it down for you.

In India, the iQOO 13 comes loaded with a hefty 6,000 mAh battery in India (6,150 mAh globally), and it truly lives up to the hype. It consistently delivers the power you need, which is a huge win—especially when you compare it to other devices, like the Realme GT 7 Pro, whose battery started to falter pretty quickly under heavy use. Simply put, the iQOO 13's battery is a game-changer, keeping you powered throughout your day without any unexpected letdowns.

Whether you’re juggling everything from social media scrolling to watching TV shows and movies or a playing a marathon of gaming sessions. Sure, gaming sessions will drain the battery quicker than other uses, but it still lasts longer than usual – without heating – and you do certainly feel it!

In everyday use, the battery life is impressively reliable. Whether you’re catching up on messages, streaming your favorite shows, or multitasking between apps, you can easily go through the day without scrambling for a charger. And if you’re more of a light user, there’s even potential to stretch that battery into a second day—a welcome bonus when you’re on the move.

The secret to this endurance lies in smart power management. The iQOO 13 is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which is also built for efficiency as much as it is for performance. Coupled with an LTPO display that dynamically adjusts its refresh rate, the phone ensures that you’re not burning through battery power unnecessarily when you’re just browsing or reading. Even during heavier tasks, the phone’s power management is well-tuned to balance performance with longevity.

Now, let’s talk charging—because what’s the point of having a big battery if it takes ages to fill up? The iQOO 13 supports 120W wired charging, which means you can juice up the phone incredibly fast. The charging speeds for us were pretty impressive, even if they were a bit lesser than what iQOO 13 promises:

iQOO 13 charging speed test from 0% battery level:

Imagine taking your phone from almost empty to fully charged in about (promised) 35 minutes (it took us 44 minutes, though). And hey, that time could be even shorter for you—our device was juggling a ton of background apps thanks to our heavy testing. This charging speed in indeed game changer, especially on days when you’re in a hurry and need a quick top-up. While you do get similar speeds from iQOO's sister firms in OnePlus, Realme, Oppo, and Vivo, you miss these speeds in Apple and Samsung phones even today!

One aspect worth noting is how the phone handles the heat that fast charging can bring. The iQOO 13 offers an option to toggle fast charging on or off, giving you the flexibility to choose speed or a gentler charge for better long-term battery health. If you’re charging overnight or don’t mind taking it a bit slower, you can opt for a mode that’s less aggressive on the battery. It’s a small but thoughtful feature that shows the care put into the design.

Find the options mentioned above under the Settings app > Battery > Battery health and charging.

Another cool feature is bypass charging, sometimes known as direct drive power supply. This comes in handy if you’re using your phone heavily while it’s plugged in—say, during a long gaming session. This is another feature added by iQOO to supplement the gaming experience on their device, and we're gamers in us do appreciate it a lot. Bypass charging ensures that the power delivery doesn’t interfere with performance or lead to unnecessary heat buildup, which can be a real plus for keeping everything running smoothly.

The only caveat with iQOO 13's battery is that it doesn't offer wireless charging. If you want that in a budget and need the best performance, you have to go for OnePlus 13 (Rs 69,999), which offers marvelous speeds of 50W in wireless charging but you have to purchase the wireless charging pas separately, and it costs Rs 5,499). So, it that worth extra Rs 20,000 for wireless charging (and better camera, and some more features, yes.)

Do we miss wireless charging? Yes and no. Let me explain. Personally, with this kind of extremely fast charging speeds and large battery capacity, charging is never an issue even remotely, but why I miss wireless charging a bit is the gone ability with it of reverse charging – you can't charge your earbuds wirelessly by simply keep its case on the back of your phone. I miss that, really, even I do not fancy charging my iQOO 13 wirelessly at all. What are your thoughts on this, eh?

iQOO 13 battery verdict:

Yes, it's excellent – you can't hope for better battery than this from a 8mm thin device. It's dream come true! The battery lasts longer and it does help a lot in how expansively you can use the phone. For gamers, Bypass Charging is there, thus reducing battery life cycles by a good measure in the long time. The devices charges pretty fast too, as see in our battery charge test above. Is there anything to complain here? No, absolutely not, we can't nitpick anything here, except that the iQOO 13 doesn't offer you wireless charging, and reverse charging obviously.

iQOO 13 battery score: 9.5/10

Software (7.5/10)

You run the iQOO 13 on Funtouch OS 15, which sits right on top of Android 15 – the latest Android OS update available right now in stable version. If you’ve used previous Vivo or iQOO phones, you’ll notice that this version feels familiar but with some clear tweaks and improvements. You get a system that stays true to its roots while cleaning up a few rough edges.

The fact that it follows the basic elements in stock Android 15 like the notification system, for example, more than its sister UI skins like OxygenOS 15 and Realme UI 6.0, is a great relief. I first-handedly tasted how poor notifications were on Realme UI 6.0 and OxygenOS 15 when I reviewed the Realme GT 7 Pro and OnePlus 13 respectively in recent months. So, using Funtouch OS, even though its heavily skinned than what I like, feels a bit liberating. The notification shade is a lot better on Funtouch OS than on OxygenOS and Realme UI.

Right from the start, you benefit from a promise of four major Android updates and five years of security patches.

Funtouch OS is easy to use and navigate, and it works flawlessly even though laden with a lot of customization, right from themes, AOD customization, Jovi page (also accessible via top right area of the notification shade), and ton more features at every other tap in the Settings app.

When you start using the device, you find that the user interface is straightforward. The home screen layout, the quick settings panel, and the system menus all work in a way that feels intuitive. You see some pre-installed apps that you might not need, but you have the option to disable or remove many of them. The default launcher is clean and simple, and while it does include some extra tools—like a ring light animation on the camera module or updated icons—these features don’t overwhelm the interface. Instead, they offer a set of tools you can choose to use or ignore.

Performance-wise, Funtouch OS 15 makes efficient use of the device’s hardware. You launch apps quickly, and switching between tasks remains responsive. The OS handles background processes well, thanks to optimized memory management. You notice that even when several apps run simultaneously, the system stays fluid without significant delays. The iQOO 13 really impresses with its ability to keep apps active for longer periods. I even noticed that the apps I had open the night before were still hanging out in the Recents screen the next morning—talk about convenience!

In other words, you get smooth multitasking that lets you focus on what you’re doing without being bogged down by lag.

The software also brings in some handy AI-driven features. You have Live Transcribe, which converts spoken words into text in real time—a useful tool during meetings or when you need accessibility support. In the gallery app, you find options like AI Photo Enhance and an eraser tool that can remove unwanted elements from your photos. These features aren’t groundbreaking, but they do add a layer of convenience to everyday tasks.

Customization is available if you want to tweak the look of your device. You can change themes, wallpapers, and even icon styles. Although the options may not be as extensive as some other custom systems out there, they give you enough room to make the interface feel personal. The settings app now organizes options more logically, so when you need to adjust something—be it display brightness or network settings—you can find it without having to dig through multiple layers.

Speaking of which, there is a page for changing the dynamic light around the camera sensors on the back of the phone, and one can customize it under Settings > Shortcuts & accessibility > scroll down a bit and tap Dynamic light.

For what it's worth, you can schedule a few very cool functions of in iQOO 13 thanks to Funtouch OS 15, like:

• Airplane mode
• Vibration mode (that is, silent mode with vibration on)
  • Regular schedule
  • Countdown timer
• Power on/off

Notifications on Funtouch OS 15 work in a practical way. You see your alerts grouped together, and they remain visible even if you close an app. If you need to adjust how notifications appear or how quickly they come through, you have access to those settings. The system’s approach to managing notifications and background tasks helps ensure that you don’t miss important updates, even though there might be occasional delays with certain apps.

One thing you appreciate is how well the software integrates with the hardware. The OS makes full use of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and ample RAM, ensuring that every touch, swipe, and animation feels responsive. Whether you’re playing a graphic-intensive game or simply scrolling through your feed, you experience a level of smoothness that lets you focus on your content.

The system also includes specific features for gamers, such as an enhanced Ultra Game Mode, which adjusts system resources for a stable and consistent gaming experience.

In your daily use, you find that Funtouch OS 15 doesn’t distract you with overly flashy elements – something that Xiaomi's Hyper OS does and that's so irritating. It’s a straightforward system that focuses on getting the job done. You might still come across some elements that feel a bit like bloatware—extra apps or ads that you can remove, especially the browser app—but these do not significantly detract from your overall experience. Instead, you enjoy a system that remains stable and reliable, letting you concentrate on your tasks without unnecessary fuss.

The Funtouch OS 15 does feature a ton of AI features that other custom skins provide, but I didn't miss any of those, even though I have used OnePlus 13, Realme GT 7 Pro, and Pixel 8 Pro in the past 6 months, all three featuring a ton of AI-inspired features. You do get the basic AI-driven features in image editing, where I feel AI is truly useful, if any, so that's that. No complaints on less AI features in iQOO 13 as it delivers where it needs to.

On the small note, I am excited to check out the AI-powered features in Galaxy S25 series like Audio Eraser (removing surrounding noise from videos) and Auto Trim (extracts key scenes from your videos) as I feel they are more useful than anything AI so far (except basic AI image editing that is now available is nearly all flagships now). I hope I will be able to remove the extra noise from old songs and bhajans and make them more wearable.

iQOO 13 software verdict:

Overall, you experience a clean, stable software environment on the iQOO 13. The OS keeps things simple and efficient while offering useful tools that enhance everyday tasks. You don’t get overwhelmed by extravagant features or too much extra fluff. Instead, you operate on a system that prioritizes smooth performance, quick access to settings, and a user-friendly interface that adapts to your needs.

In short, Funtouch OS 15 on the iQOO 13 provides you with a dependable and streamlined experience. You control your phone with familiar gestures and clear menus, and you have access to a suite of features that help simplify your day. It might not break new ground in terms of design or functionality, but it delivers what matters—reliability and efficiency in your everyday smartphone use.

iQOO 13 software score: 7.5/10

Camera (7.5/10)

Let's stalk camera specs first.

You use the iQOO 13’s camera system and quickly notice its straightforward, no-nonsense design. On the back, you get a triple-camera setup that includes a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom and image stabilization, and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. When you shoot in good light, you capture images that are sharp and full of detail. The primary sensor handles most scenes well, giving you clear photos with accurate colors and decent dynamic range.

Low-light photography isn't its strong suit but that's not to say you will regret relying on its camera. It does an excellent job for the most people, but enthusiasts can feel a bit letdown.

When you switch to the telephoto lens, you can zoom in without losing too much quality, which comes in handy for closer shots of distant subjects. You appreciate that the optical image stabilization helps keep your images steady, especially when you’re not using a tripod. The ultra-wide lens, on the other hand, lets you capture larger scenes—great for landscapes or group photos—but you notice that its performance in low-light situations isn’t as strong as the main sensor.

In everyday use, you find that the camera app offers a variety of modes and features without overwhelming you. You can switch to a manual mode, sometimes called “Street Mode,” which gives you extra control over settings like exposure and focus. This mode is useful when you want to experiment a bit more or when conditions aren’t ideal. You also try out the “Snapshot” mode, which is designed to freeze motion quickly. However, if you’re photographing fast-moving subjects, you sometimes have to adjust your settings or take a few extra shots to get a perfectly sharp image.

The front-facing camera on the iQOO 13 packs a 32MP sensor that works well in good lighting. When you take selfies, you get images with a good level of detail and natural color reproduction. In low-light situations, you might find that the selfies lose a little sharpness or clarity, which means you have to rely on a bit of extra lighting or a flash mode to get the best results.

You also notice that the software includes some built-in editing tools. After snapping a photo, you can quickly adjust brightness, contrast, or even remove minor distractions with the AI-powered enhancements. These tools aren’t overly complex, but they help you fine-tune an image without needing to transfer it to a separate editing app. This makes sharing your photos on social media easier and lets you get a better result straight out of the camera app.

Overall, you get a camera system that covers your everyday needs. It might not break new ground in terms of innovation, but it delivers a solid performance in most scenarios. When you’re shooting outdoors on a bright day, the results are consistently good. In low-light conditions, you have to be a bit more patient or adjust your shooting mode, but you still manage to capture usable images.

If you’re into casual photography or just want a reliable phone camera for daily use, you’ll find the iQOO 13 meets your needs without fuss. You can experiment with different shooting modes and use the editing tools to quickly polish your photos. The system is versatile enough to handle landscapes, portraits, and selfies, though you might find that some modes work better than others depending on the lighting and scene.

We realized that the camera’s performance ties in well with the overall efficiency of the phone. The processing power behind the scenes means that switching between different camera modes is smooth, and you rarely experience delays when taking multiple shots in quick succession. This responsiveness ensures that you can capture the moment without worrying about lag or missed opportunities.

Photo samples:

Main camera (rear) - 1x zoom level - regular mode

Main camera (rear) - 1x zoom level - portrait mode

Main camera (rear) - 2x zoom level - regular mode

Main camera (rear) - 2x zoom level - portrait mode

Main camera (rear) - 4x zoom level - regular mode (2x virtual zoom on the 2x telephoto lens)

Main camera (rear) - 4x zoom level - PORTRAIT mode (2x virtual zoom on the 2x telephoto lens)

Main camera (rear) - 3x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Main camera (rear) - 5x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Main camera (rear) - 10x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Main camera (rear) - 15x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Main camera (rear) - 15x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Main camera (rear) - 30x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Selfie camera - 1x zoom level - REGULAR mode

Selfie camera - 1x zoom level - PORTRAIT mode

iQOO 13 camera verdict:

In short, when you use the iQOO 13’s camera, you get a straightforward, versatile tool that does its job well. While it's definitely not for camera enthusiasts, it's designed for everyday use, giving you a set of features that let you capture decent photos in a variety of conditions. Whether you’re experimenting with manual modes or just snapping a quick selfie, the system remains responsive and easy to use, helping you get your shots without a lot of extra hassle.

It lacks the superior quality of OnePlus 13 and Realme GT 7 Pro (to talk about cheaper Snapdragon 8 Elite phones), but we're not complaining as it's still doing the job satisfyingly.

iQOO 13 camera score: 7.5/10

Speakers (9/10)

The speakers on iQOO 13 are very impressive – more than what I expected for this price range. The phone produced deep, controlled, digitized bass when I played the "Subflower" song from "Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse", which is kind of my go-to song to test the device speakers at the moment.

I played a lot of different content on iQOO 13 and everywhere, the sound from speakers was very satisfying. It has just the right mix of treble and bass, and volume is great, too.

I did have one issue with its sound, but that was with Bluetooth. The Pixel Buds Pro I connected with iQOO 13 were producing low sound – I think it at the warning level at the max. But that fixed itself automatically somehow and then I was able to make the sound louder – and I also got the warning popup about louder volume causing damage to your ears, which was earlier missing even at (clearly low) top volume.

iQOO 13 camera verdict:

They are great, you won't be disappointed!

iQOO 13 speakers score: 9/10

Reasons to Buy iQOO 13

• Most affordable Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phone.
• Performance is rock solid, with the phone breezing through multitasking and demanding apps without breaking a sweat.
• The display is vibrant, smooth, and incredibly responsive, making it perfect for gaming and streaming in any lighting condition.
• Battery life easily gets you through a full day of heavy use, and the lightning-fast charging means you’re never stuck waiting long.
• Funtouch OS 15 keeps things simple, intuitive, and free of major bugs, offering smooth navigation and useful AI features.
• Build quality is exceptional, with water and dust resistance (IP68/69) that make it feel reliable and premium in daily use.
• Gaming features like Ultra Game Mode and the cooling system ensure lag-free, uninterrupted sessions.
• Modern connectivity options ensure you’re always connected at the fastest possible speeds.
• The cameras deliver crisp, detailed shots in most conditions, and video recording capabilities are excellent for casual users.

Reasons Not to Buy iQOO 13

• If you are a photography enthusiast, you will find the cameras to be anything between inadequate to less impressive
• The low-light camera performance, especially with the ultrawide lens, can leave you wanting better results in darker settings.
• If you’re looking for wireless charging, you’ll find its absence here a noticeable gap.
• Some pre-installed apps and occasional ads might irritate users who prefer a clean software experience.
• If you want a compact phone.
• If you need eSIM.
• Slightly bulky feeling.