The iQOO 13 has been launched in India with the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The device has to fill into huge shoes as it is the successor to the iQOO 12, which has been the most value-for-money flagship in India for the past year. In this guide, let’s compare the iQOO 12 and the iQOO 13 to see their differences, upgrades, and all the new features.
The base and top models’ prices have gone up by Rs 2,000. Even with this hike, the iQOO 13 and the iQOO 12 remain the cheapest devices in India with the Snapdragon 8 Elite and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processors, respectively. So, here’s a tie!
Both phones are sold on Amazon, and the iQOO 13 is now also available in offline stores.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Design
The iQOO 13 has a similar design to its predecessor with a glass back panel and an aluminium frame. A new Halo Light has been added around the camera module, which can be customised to add RGB light effects. The water resistance has also improved to an IP68+IP69 rating. The device weighs 213 grams.
The iQOO 12 has similar looks with its glass-sandwich design and metal frame. The device has an IP64 rating making it splashproof. It weighs 207 grams.
1 of 2
iQOO 13 Design
iQOO 12 Legend Edition
While the iQOO 13 has gotten a little heavier, it also received a new design element with the Halo Light. The IP68+IP69 rating also improves the device’s durability and hence, it becomes a more attractive choice. Both phones are available in the special Legend Edition with the BMW branding.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Display
The iQOO 13 features a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with a quad-curved design. It has a 2K resolution of 3168×1440 pixels and a refresh rate of 144Hz. The screen supports peak brightness of up to 4500 nits and HDR10+.
The iQOO 12 has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a curved design. It has a 1.5K resolution with 2800×1260 pixels. The refresh rate is 144Hz and peak brightness is supported up to 3000 nits. The display is compatible with HDR10+.
144Hz display on the iQOO 13
The display resolution of the iQOO 13 is 2K, which is an upgrade from the iQOO 12’s 1.5K resolution. It has also retained the 144Hz refresh rate, which is among the highest of any flagship available in India. The iQOO 13 can also get brighter than the iQOO 12, improving visibility in outdoor usage under direct sunlight.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Performance
The iQOO 13 is equipped with the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. This is the first Qualcomm chip based on a 3nm architecture. It is paired with the Custom Q2 gaming chip which boosts gaming performance up to 2K resolution at 144 fps.
The iQOO 12 uses the last-gen Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, based on a 4nm architecture. It is paired with the Q1 chip, which helps in gaming. It also supports 144 fps gaming in select games.
The iQOO 13’s Snapdragon 8 Elite makes it up to 40% faster than the iQOO 12. However, both phones support 120fps gaming in BGMI. They also have support for on-device AI features in common. We have to see the difference in performance based on benchmark tests and real-world usage, so, stay tuned.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Software
The iQOO 13 runs FunTouch OS 15, based on Android 15. It comes with built-in AI-powered features such as AI Erase, Live Cutout, Gemini AI integration, Circle to Search, and more. The device will receive four major Android updates and five years of security patches.
The iQOO 12 currently runs FunTouch OS 14 based on Android 14, and the Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15n update is in the rollout stage. The update will bring support for all the AI features supported by the iQOO 12. The device was eligible for three Android updates and four years of security patches.
The iQOO 12 and iQOO 13 almost have the same set of features and customisation options. However, the iQOO 13 is eligible for up to Android 19, while the iQOO 12 will be limited to Android 17 maximum. This makes the iQOO 13 a winner here.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Cameras
The iQOO 13 has triple rear cameras. It consists of a 50MP f/1.88 primary sensor with OIS support. The secondary camera is a 50MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens, paired with a 50MP f/1.85 telephoto camera with OIS support and 2x optical zoom. It supports video recording up to 8K 30fps. The selfie camera is a 32MP f/2.45 sensor.
The iQOO 12 features a 50MP f/1.68 primary sensor with OIS, a 50MP f/2.0 ultrawide lens, and a 64MP f/2.57 telephoto lens with OIS and 3x optical zoom. It also supports video recording up to 8K 30fps. There’s a 16MP front camera with an f/2.5 sensor.
Rear camera setup on iQOO 13 with the Halo Light
As per the company, the iQOO 13’s telephoto camera uses an improved sensor that offers better image quality in zooming. The selfie camera has also been upgraded from 16MP to 32MP. The overall functionality of the camera module has been retained using a combination of a primary, ultrawide, and telephoto lens.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Battery and Charging
The iQOO 13 is powered by a 6,000mAh battery. It uses a Silicon-Carbon anode, which retains charge more efficiently. It supports 120W fast charging and the device is claimed to take 30 minutes to fully charge. A compatible fast charger is bundled in the box.
The iQOO 12 has a 5,000mAh battery and supports 120W fast charging. The full charge time is also 30 minutes, and the fast charger is provided in the box.
The iQOO 13 gets a massive upgrade in battery capacity. The charging speeds are the same on both phones. However, it still does not feature wireless charging.
iQOO 13 vs iQOO 12: Verdict
The iQOO 13 comes with an improved display with higher resolution and brightness. It also gets a better telephoto camera with a wider aperture and a huge boost in battery capacity. The biggest upgrade is the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, which is over 40% faster than its predecessor.
The iQOO 12 is still a very capable flagship, as it has one of the highest refresh rate screens on a flagship phone. The Snapdragon 8 gen 3 can still handle 120fps gaming. However, for just Rs 3,000 extra, the iQOO 13 offers a lot of upgrades, especially in performance and extended software support.
