Finding a good 5G phone under Rs 15,000 can be tough but thanks to brands bringing good options in the price segment, we have two worthy contenders: the recently launched Redmi 13 5G and the iQOO Z9x 5G. We’ve tested both, and we’ll help you choose the best value device for your money in this story. So, let’s dive right in!
Redmi 13 5G vs iQOO Z9x 5G: Price in India
Model
Configuration
Price
Redmi 13 5G
6GB+128GB
Rs 13,999
8GB+128GB
Rs 15,499
iQOO Z9x 5G
4GB+128GB
Rs 12,999
6GB+128GB
Rs 14,499
8GB+128GB
Rs 15,999
If we strictly go by price, then iQOO has the upper hand here. The iQOO Z9x starts at just Rs 12,999. However, the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variants cost almost the same.
Redmi 13 5G vs iQOO Z9x 5G: Design
If you like bigger phones and boxy aesthetics, the Redmi 13 5G might appeal to you more. It has a glass-like finish that gives the device a premium look. It is available in Orchid Pink, a cool Hawaiian Blue with a unique pattern, and Black Diamond shades.
Redmi 13 5G
iQOO Z9x 5G
Dimensions
168.6 x 76.28 x 8.3
165.70 × 76.00 × 7.99
Weight
205g
192g
On the other hand, the iQOO Z9x 5G comes in Mystic Black, Northern Green, Starburst White, Feng Yuqing, and Dark Night colour options. The Tornado Green shade that we have is an absolute stunner. The phone feels quite lightweight in hand and comfortable to hold. While it may not be the most eye-catching phone on the market, it doesn’t give cheap vibes either.
So when it comes to design, its a subjective choice but depending on the phone, you can choose. For a sleeker look, the iQOO Z9x is an ideal choice while those looking for a a bolder look can opt for the Redmi 13.
Redmi 13 5G vs iQOO Z9x 5G: Display
Since the Redmi 13 5G is a big phone, it flaunts a large 6.79-inch display that produces accurate colours and sharpness. There’s also Widevine L1 support on Netflix, which is impressive for a budget phone. If you binge-watch a lot, then the Redmi 13 5G will impress you. We watched the Mirzapur S3 on the device, and our experience was excellent.
Redmi 13 5G
iQOO Z9x 5G
Size
6.79-inch
6.72-inch
Resolution
FHD+
FHD+
Refresh rate
120Hz
120Hz
Brightness
550 nits
1000 nits
Protection
Corning Gorilla Glass 3
However, the display on the iQOO Z9x is not too small. It packs a 6.72-inch panel and delivers fairly accurate colours and sharp details. There’s support for 1000 nits of brightness, which is adequately usable to receive a call or read a short message in direct sunlight.
1 of 2
iQOO Z9x
Redmi 13 5G
However, it’s important to know that both devices lack an AMOLED panel. This means blacks will not be that deep, and their sharpness and accuracy might be hit while using them under direct sunlight. However, considering their price points, these limitations are somewhat understandable.
Redmi 13 5G vs iQOO Z9x 5G: Performance and UI
The Redmi 13 5G draws power from the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 AE SoC, where AE stands for “Accelerated Edition.” It’s the same chipset used in its predecessor, but Xiaomi has tweaked it a little to provide better optimisation for enhanced performance and battery life. If you are a casual user, this phone will not disappoint you. Everyday tasks like scrolling through social media, sending emails, and making calls are a breeze on this device.
It’s worth noting that during our experience with the Redmi 13 5G, we encountered occasional lags and stutters, even during the initial setup process. While this could be an isolated issue with our specific unit, it’s something to be aware of.
For gaming, the Redmi 13 5G can manage some casual sessions of BGMI. We were able to play BGMI on low graphics settings. During our testing, it reached HD and high graphics, up to 40.2 fps, and a minimum of Smooth and Ultra, dropping to 29.4 fps.
The iQOO Z9x 5G uses a relatively newer Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, reflected in the device’s performance. It was able to deliver a smooth and lag-free experience during our usual work day, which included tasks like scrolling through Instagram, sending a few emails, taking a few photos, watching videos on YouTube, and making some calls.
We tested the phone’s gaming capabilities with Call of Duty Mobile at High+Max settings and BGMI with Smooth, Balanced HD graphics. The experience was impressive, with no lag or frame drops observed during nearly an hour of continuous gameplay.
We also ran popular benchmarking tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench on both of these devices. Here’s how they performed:
iQOO Z9x
552,168
Xiaomi Redmi 13 5G
441,939
AnTuTu Overall benchmark score analysis
Xiaomi Redmi 13 5G
964
iQOO Z9x
938
Geekbench single-core benchmark score analysis
iQOO Z9x
2,735
Xiaomi Redmi 13 5G
2,247
Geekbench multi-core benchmark score analysis
When it comes to software, if you customise every small detail on your phone, the Redmi 13 5G will win your heart. It is the company’s first budget offering to feature HyperOS. It also comes with Xiaomi’s library, where you can change your lock screen, fonts, icons, wallpapers, themes, and more.
1 of 2
iQOO Z9x 5G
Redmi 13 5G
The iQOO Z9x runs FunTouchOS 14 based on Android 14 and delivers a smooth overall experience. iQOO has included small but helpful features. For example, we liked the floating app bar (on the upper right side), which allowed us to multitask, especially while watching videos. There’s also this nano music player, which helps you streamline music.
Regarding updates, both phones promise two years of Android updates and three years of security patches.
The 108MP primary sensor on the Redmi 13 5G is the shining star of the Redmi 13 5G. The photos have a balanced dynamic range, accurate colours, and good detail while there’s sun in the sky. It also keeps the saturation level in check and doesn’t go overboard with the colours.
1 of 16
Moreover, the portrait mode on the Redmi 13 5G is surprisingly good; It can detect the edge nicely and maintain skin tones. The front 13MP selfie shooter manages the skin tones accurately and delivers good results with ample sharpness.
The iQOO Z9x 5G packs a 50MP primary sensor that captures impressive images with ample details and punchy colours. However, the images captured with the iQOO Z9x may appear oversaturated to some. The portrait mode does a fair enough job with good edge detection. However, the portrait mode smoothens the skin texture, while the standard mode appears more natural.
iQOO Z9x 5G Camera Samples
1 of 10
The front camera on the iQOO Z9x has an 8MP sensor, which provides social media-ready photos. Apart from that, keep your expectations in check with the low-light performance of both devices.
Redmi 13 5G vs iQOO Z9x 5G: Battery Life and Charging
The Redmi 13 5G gets its juice from the 5,030mAh battery, which will easily last a day on a single charge with moderate usage. But the iQOO Z9x 5G packs a massive 6,000mAh battery, which can last up to 1.5 days on a single charge with normal usage.
1 of 2
Regarding charging time, both phones go from 0 to 100% in about an hour and a half. iQOO uses 44W fast charging while Redmi supports 33W charging. We also ran a PCMark battery test on both devices where the Redmi 13 5G achieved 13 hrs 30 mins but the iQOO Z9x 5G didn’t complete the test. We tried it twice, but the error occurred at around 32%.
Still can’t decide between the iQOO Z9x and the Redmi 13 5G? Here’s a breakdown to help you decide:
Go with the Redmi 13 5G if you like big phones with good camera capabilities. It flaunts a head-turning design, offers adequate battery life, and can manage day-to-day tasks with ease.
Go with the iQOO Z9x if you want a two-day battery life and smoother performance. It also has social media-ready optics and sleek aesthetics.
However, if you prefer a more stock Android-like experience, the Moto G64 5G is also a compatible option.
