TECHNOLOGY January 19, 2025

OnePlus 13 vs iQOO 13: Is Spending ₹15,000 Extra Worth It?

In the crowded flagship smartphone market under ₹70,000, two contenders dominate discussions—the OnePlus 13 and iQOO 13. Both powered by the state-of-the-art Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, these devices promise top-notch performance, futuristic features, and a premium experience. However, with the OnePlus 13 priced ₹15,000 higher than the iQOO 13, prospective buyers are left wondering: is the extra investment justified?

Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which phone offers the better value for your needs.

Performance: Cutting-Edge Power

Both the OnePlus 13 and iQOO 13 are equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, Qualcomm’s most powerful processor, built on TSMC’s 3nm architecture. This chipset ensures lightning-fast performance, efficient multitasking, and exceptional gaming capabilities.

Key Differences:

OnePlus 13: Configurable with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, it caters to heavy users and professionals needing ample space and memory.
iQOO 13: Offers a maximum of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which is sufficient for most users. Additionally, it features a custom Q2 chip that enhances gaming performance, providing smoother frame rates and reduced latency.

While both phones are performance beasts, gamers may find the iQOO 13’s Q2 chip an attractive advantage.

Battery and Charging: A Close Call

Both devices house massive 6,000mAh batteries, ensuring extended usage without frequent charging. However, their charging technologies differ.

Charging Speed:

OnePlus 13: Supports 100W fast charging and 50W wireless charging.
iQOO 13: Offers faster 120W wired charging but lacks wireless charging support.

For users prioritizing convenience, the OnePlus 13’s wireless charging is a major plus. However, if you value faster wired charging, the iQOO 13 edges slightly ahead.

Camera: The OnePlus Edge

Both phones feature 50MP triple-camera setups, but the OnePlus 13, tuned by Hasselblad, excels in this department.

Camera Specs:

OnePlus 13:
- 50MP wide camera.
- 50MP ultra-wide camera.
- 50MP 3x periscope telephoto lens.
- 32MP front-facing camera with 4K video recording at 60fps.
- Supports 8K video recording at 30fps.
iQOO 13:
- 50MP wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto cameras.
- 32MP front camera.

Verdict on Cameras:

The OnePlus 13 delivers more consistent colors across lenses, thanks to its refined color science, making it the better option for photography enthusiasts. The iQOO 13, while capable, may exhibit slight color inconsistencies.

Software: OxygenOS vs FunTouch OS

Both phones run Android 15 with their respective custom interfaces.

OnePlus 13: Features OxygenOS 15, known for its smooth, bloat-free experience. OnePlus offers 4 years of OS upgrades and 6 years of security patches, ensuring long-term software support.
iQOO 13: Comes with FunTouch OS 15, which is feature-rich but heavier in design. It promises 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches.

Software Verdict:

OnePlus edges ahead with an additional year of security updates and its reputation for a cleaner user interface.

Display: Virtually Identical

Both phones boast 6.82-inch QHD+ AMOLED displays with:

144Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and gaming.
4,500 nits of peak brightness, ideal for outdoor visibility.
LTPO technology, allowing variable refresh rates for power efficiency.

Build Quality:

Both devices are IP68 and IP69-rated, offering dust and water resistance.
They include under-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanners for secure and fast unlocking.

In terms of display and build, the devices are nearly indistinguishable, ensuring a premium visual and tactile experience.