iQOO 13 vs OnePlus 12R: A Head-to-Head Battle of Snapdragon Power

The iQOO 13 and OnePlus 12R represent compelling options in a crowded smartphone market. The iQOO 13 arrives with Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the OnePlus 12R leverages the proven performance of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best experience for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and display brightness, the iQOO 13 emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite and significantly brighter display justify the price premium. However, the OnePlus 12R offers excellent value, delivering a strong experience with impressive battery life at a more accessible price point.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO 13 OnePlus 12R
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, October 302024, January 23
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, November 08Available. Released 2024, February 06
Body
BuildGlass front, aluminum alloy frame, glass back or fiber-reinforced plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame, glass back
Dimensions163.4 x 76.7 x 8 mm (6.43 x 3.02 x 0.31 in)163.3 x 75.3 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 2.96 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight207 g or 213 g (7.30 oz)207 g (7.30 oz)
Display
ProtectionSchott Xensation AlphaCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3168 pixels (~510 ppi density)1264 x 2780 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 113.0 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.78 inches, 111.7 cm2 (~90.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeLTPO AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 2592Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1800 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)LTPO4 AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, 1600 nits (HBM), 4500 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M)Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 830Adreno 740
OSAndroid 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, Funtouch 15 (International), OriginOS 5 (China)Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 16GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesColor spectrum sensor, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/1.9, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.93", 0.6µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video8K@30fps, 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS, OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.5, 28mm (wide), 1/3.15", 0.7µm16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless, LHDC 55.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYes, 360˚Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging120W wired, PPS, 100% in 30 min100W wired, 100% in 26 min
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· Si/C Li-Ion 6150 mAh (Global)· 6000 mAh (India only)Li-Ion 5500 mAh
Misc
ColorsAlpha (Black), Nardo Gray (Silver), White (BMW M branding), Ace GreenIron Gray, Cool Blue, Electric Violet, Sunset Dune
ModelsV2408A, I2401CPH2609, CPH2585, CPH2611
PriceAbout 590 EUR€ 410.84 / $ 399.95 / £ 649.00
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.82 W/kg (body)

vivo iQOO 13

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Elite
  • Brighter and more vibrant display
  • Faster charging speed (120W)

  • Potentially higher price
  • May run hotter under sustained load (needs further testing)

OnePlus 12R

  • Excellent value for money
  • Impressive battery life
  • Fast 100W charging

  • Less powerful processor
  • Dimmer display compared to iQOO 13

Display Comparison

The iQOO 13’s display boasts a measured peak brightness of 1804 nits, a substantial leap over the OnePlus 12R’s 1181 nits. This difference is immediately noticeable in outdoor visibility. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the iQOO 13’s higher brightness and potential for a wider color gamut provide a more immersive viewing experience. Details regarding refresh rate and panel technology (LTPO) are missing, but the brightness advantage alone positions the iQOO 13 as the superior choice for media consumption and outdoor use.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the iQOO brand’s focus on performance, it’s reasonable to expect a camera system geared towards computational photography and fast processing. The OnePlus 12R, while likely offering a capable camera, may prioritize a more balanced approach. Sensor size and aperture details are crucial here, but absent that data, the iQOO 13’s more powerful chipset could provide an advantage in image processing speed and low-light performance.

Performance

The iQOO 13’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (SM8750-AB) built on a 3nm process represents a significant architectural upgrade over the OnePlus 12R’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (SM8550-AB) fabricated on a 4nm node. The iQOO 13’s CPU configuration – 2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores and 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M cores – promises faster processing speeds compared to the OnePlus 12R’s 1x3.2 GHz Cortex-X3, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 setup. The 3nm process should also translate to improved thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Gen 2 is no slouch, the 8 Elite is designed for a performance edge.

Battery Life

The iQOO 13 achieves a commendable 18:03h active use score, exceeding the OnePlus 12R’s 14:32h. Despite the OnePlus 12R’s 100W charging (reaching 100% in 26 minutes), the iQOO 13’s 120W charging (100% in 30 minutes) offers a slightly faster top-up. The iQOO 13’s superior battery life, combined with its faster charging, provides a more convenient user experience, minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO 13 if you demand the absolute fastest performance for gaming and demanding applications, and if a vibrant, exceptionally bright display is crucial. Buy the OnePlus 12R if you prioritize all-day battery life, fast charging, and a balanced experience without breaking the bank. It’s the smart choice for users who want flagship-level performance without the flagship price tag.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8 Elite in the iQOO 13 get noticeably hotter than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the OnePlus 12R during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite is more powerful, its 3nm process aims to improve thermal efficiency. However, the increased performance *could* lead to higher temperatures under sustained load. Real-world testing is needed to determine the extent of any thermal throttling, but the OnePlus 12R’s Gen 2 is likely to maintain more consistent performance over very long gaming sessions.
❓ How much of a difference will the display brightness make in everyday use for the iQOO 13?
The 623-nit difference in peak brightness is substantial. The iQOO 13’s display will be significantly easier to see in direct sunlight, making it ideal for outdoor use. Even indoors, the brighter display will offer a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience, particularly when watching HDR content.
❓ Is the 120W charging on the iQOO 13 significantly faster than the 100W charging on the OnePlus 12R in real-world scenarios?
While the iQOO 13’s 120W charging is technically faster, the difference in charging time (30 minutes vs 26 minutes for a full charge) is relatively small. Both phones offer incredibly fast charging, and the convenience factor is more significant than the few minutes saved with the iQOO 13.