Shopping for a smartphone under Rs 25,000 but feeling stuck on which one to pick? Well, stop stressing. We have got you covered. In this showdown, we’re pitting the recently launchd iQOO Z9s against the Realme 13+. So, which one deserves your hard-earned cash? Let’s jump in and find out!
As highlighted in the table above, both the phones provide similar RAM and storage variants. Moreover, the iQOO Z9s comes at a lower price than the Realme 13+. Therefore, if you prioritise cost, the iQOO Z9s is the better choice.
The iQOO Z9s is sold on Amazon, whereas the Realme 13+ is found on Flipkart.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Design
iQOO Z9s
Realme 13+
Dimensions
163.7 x 75 x 7.5 mm
161.7 x 74.7 x 7.6mm
Weight
180 grams
185 grams
Colours
Titanium Matte and Onyx Green
Victory Gold, Speed Green and Dark Purple
The iQOO Z9s comes in two colours, while the Realme 13+ steps up with three. The Z9s is a stunner, both visually and in hand. However, its glossy back loves fingerprints almost as much as I love a clean phone, so keep that in mind. Still, it’s a premium-looking device, especially in the sub-Rs 25,000 range. And with a 5,500mAh battery tucked inside, you’d never guess it from how light and slim it feels.
iQOO Z9s Design
Now, if shiny and bold is your style, the Realme 13+ is calling your name. Its glossy back panel is flashy enough to catch attention, but beware of accidental slips—unless you’ve got a case handy. The camera module? A bit predictable, given Realme’s design history. But, to its credit, the build quality is top-notch and ready for anything you throw at it.
Realme 13+ Design
In the design department, the iQOO Z9s and Realme 13+ each have their own flair. But if you’re shopping in the sub-Rs 25,000 segment, the Z9s takes the crown with its sleek and sophisticated style.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Display
iQOO Z9s
Realme 13+
Display
6.77-inch AMOLED
6.67-inch OLED
Resolution
1080 x 2392 pixels
1080 x 2400 pixels
Refresh Rate
120Hz
120Hz
Peak Brightness
1800
2000
Display Protection
Schott Xensation
NA
The iQOO Z9s boasts a slightly larger screen compared to the Realme 13+, and it edges out in display quality too. Despite both phones offering the same refresh rate, there’s a noticeable difference in performance.
iQOO Z9s Display
When it comes to brightness, the Realme 13+ may claim a 200-nit mark on paper, but our real-world testing told a different story. The iQOO Z9s hit an impressive 1997 nits, while the Realme 13+ only reached 1610 nits. Clearly, the iQOO Z9s takes the crown for brightness.
Realme 13+ Display
The iQOO Z9s also shines when streaming, supporting Widevine L1 on Netflix for smooth 1080p playback and HDR content. Sadly, the Realme 13+ falls short here, with only Widevine L3 support and no HDR capabilities, which is quite a letdown.
Additionally, the iQOO Z9s features a curved display, adding a sleek, premium feel to everyday use. The Realme 13+, meanwhile, sticks with a flat design. In the display department, the iQOO Z9s emerges as the undisputed champion.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Perfomance
iQOO Z9s
Realme 13+
Processor
MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy
MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Energy
Graphics
Mali-G615 MC2
Arm® Mali-G615
RAM
12GB
12GB
Storage
256GB
256GB
Manufacturing Process
4nm
4nm
Both devices run on the same chipset but when it comes to graphics, they diverge. Otherwise, RAM, storage, and manufacturing are identical across both phones.
That’s the spec sheet talk. Now, onto real-world performance. In the Antutu v10 benchmark, the Realme 13+ leads the pack, but both phones tie in the Geekbench single-core test. The iQOO Z9s, however, pulls ahead in the multi-core test, crossing the 3,000 mark. You can check out the results below:
realme 13 Plus 5G
735,036
iQOO Z9s
696,443
AnTuTu Overall benchmark score analysis
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For everyday tasks like calls, messages, casual gaming, and social media, both phones perform effortlessly. But let’s dig into their gaming chops. We fired up Call of Duty: Mobile on both. The iQOO Z9s Pro peaked at 59fps on Very High quality with Very High fps, while the Realme 13+ managed a smoother 60fps under the same settings. In Low quality and Max fps settings, the Z9s Pro still stayed at 59fps, but the Realme 13+ hit a staggering 89fps. The gameplay experience was smooth on both, though the Realme 13+ had a clear edge.
If gaming is your main focus, the Realme 13+ takes the crown.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Software
iQOO Z9s
Realme 13+
Software
Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14
Realme UI 5.0, based on Android 14
OS Updates
2 years of OS updates
2 years of OS updates
Security Updates
3 years of security updates
3 years of security updates
Both phones run different software platforms but are based on Android 14. Additionally, both offer similar timelines for OS and security updates, so there’s no major distinction.
The iQOO Z9s impresses with its smooth, eye-catching animations, creating a fluid and engaging experience. It also offers some interactive elements that enhance usability. However, the downside is the bloatware and pre-installed apps, which slightly detract from the otherwise sleek feel.
iQOO Z9s Software
Meanwhile, the Realme 13+ brings a wealth of customisation options like Quick Return, Smart Sidebar, and Quick Launch, making it more adaptable to personal preferences. It also features AI Clear Voice and AI Smart Loop—two additions the iQOO Z9s lacks. Unfortunately, just like the Z9s, the Realme 13+ also comes loaded with bloatware.
In terms of overall software experience, the Realme 13+ stands out for its versatility, but it’s far from spotless when it comes to cleanliness.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Cameras
iQOO Z9s
Realme 13+
Primary Camera
50MP wide camera with f/1.8 aperture
50MP Sony LYT-600 OIS camera with f/1.8 aperture
Secondary Camera
2MP macro with f/2.4 aperture
2MP macro
Selfie Camera
16MP selfie camera with f/2.5 aperture
32MP selfie camera with f/2.4 aperture
Both phones share the same primary and secondary camera specs, but the Realme 13+ steps up with a 32MP selfie camera, doubling the iQOO Z9s’s 16MP front shooter.
Regarding daylight photography, the iQOO Z9s impresses with vibrant colours, solid HDR processing, and spot-on exposure. Whereas, in low light, this smartphone shines, capturing sharp, detailed photos with true-to-life colours.
As for portrait photography, it delivers excellent edge detection, easily creating striking images. When it comes to the selfie camera, the iQOO Z9s creates overly smooth, artificial-looking selfies—great for social media filters, but not the most flattering in reality.
iQOO Z9s Camera Samples
1 of 10
On the contrary, the Realme 13+ holds its own, delivering images close to natural tones under good lighting. However, it falters with a slower shutter speed, often resulting in blurry shots when there’s any movement.
Realme 13+ Camera Samples
1 of 10
In the portrait photography department, the Realme 13+ offers more accurate skin tones, but its edge detection doesn’t quite match up. However, the selfie camera quality is quite similar to what the iQOO Z9s has to offer. This phone also provides artificial-looking selfies.
Considering all these factors, the iQOO Z9s is winning in almost all the segments.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Battery and Charging
The iQOO Z9s comes with a larger battery than the Realme 13+, but when it comes to charging speed, the Realme 13+ takes the lead, offering almost double the speed, as indicated in the table.
iQOO Z9s
Realme 13+
Battery
5,500mAh
5,000mAh
Charging Speed
44W
80W
Charging Time
1 hour and 11 minutes
50 minutes
PCMark Battery Test
18 hours, 35 minutes
14 hours, 18 minutes
The Realme 13+ fully charged in just 50 minutes, while the iQOO Z9s lagged behind, needing an additional 21 minutes—a significant difference. That said, in the PCMark Battery Test, the iQOO Z9s lasted a solid 4 hours and 17 minutes longer than the Realme 13+.
In real-world use, the iQOO Z9s easily powers through a full day with light to moderate use. The Realme 13+ manages to hold on for almost a full day, but your mileage may vary depending on usage.
Ultimately, the iQOO Z9s is the go-to for battery longevity, though you’ll have to wait a bit longer for it to recharge.
iQOO Z9s vs Realme 13+: Verdict
The iQOO Z9s stands out with its eye-catching design, curved display, versatile camera setup, and long-lasting battery. If these features are what you’re after, the Z9s makes a solid choice.
Meanwhile, the Realme 13+ shines in terms of performance, backed by smooth software. It delivers decent battery life and satisfactory camera quality, but the design and display don’t quite match up to its competition. If you can overlook those, the Realme 13+ is a capable option.
