iQOO 13 Gaming Review After 120 Days – Still the Best Gaming Flagship Killer?

Last Updated - September 27, 2025 08:12 am IST | Dhiraj Singh

It’s been just over four months—about 120 days—since I started using the iQOO 13, and in this long-term review, I’m breaking down everything: performance, gaming experience, durability, battery life, and whether it’s still worth buying in 2025.

With multiple Snapdragon 8 Elite-powered phones now on the market, this iQOO 13 gaming review after 120 days will also help you compare it with other flagships I’ve tested recently.

Build & Design – Premium and Durable

The iQOO 13 nails it in terms of design and durability. Its slightly matte glass back feels premium even after months of use, and the aluminum frame offers excellent rigidity.

After multiple accidental drops (thankfully not on concrete), I’ve had no dents or major scratches. The pre-applied screen protector is still holding up, though it’s gathered some wear. Removing it reveals a spotless display underneath.

Even with its large 6000mAh battery, the phone doesn’t feel unwieldy. In-hand control is excellent, especially during long gaming sessions. The minimal camera bump also helps with grip.

Dynamic Lighting & Water Resistance

One of the standout features is the dynamic lighting on the back, which blinks for calls and notifications—handy when your phone is on silent.

With IP68 and IP69 ratings, the iQOO 13 easily survives water splashes, rain, and even full submersion. I’ve used it during Holi celebrations, with wet hands, and under running tap water without any ghost touches or display issues.

Display Quality – Stunning 2K Gaming Experience

At launch, some early units had a “display gap issue,” but my device didn’t suffer from it. Those affected got replacements from the brand.

The Q10 2K LTPO display supports up to 144Hz refresh rate, but that’s mainly for Game Frame Interpolation—most scenarios run at a dynamic 1–120Hz to save power.

• Peak Brightness: 1800 nits (excellent for direct sunlight)
• Color & Clarity: Crisp, vibrant, and perfect for Netflix, YouTube, or gaming
• Eye Comfort: Anti-fatigue brightness mode + PWM dimming for reduced strain

The dual stereo speakers deliver clear, punchy audio, and the in-display 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor is accurate even with damp fingers.

Performance & Gaming – Snapdragon 8 Elite at Its Best

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite, LPDDR5X RAM, and UFS 4.1 storage, the iQOO 13 is a powerhouse. My unit scored over 2.7 million on AnTuTu, making it one of the fastest phones I’ve tested.

For gaming, this is a dream machine:

• BGMI: Runs at a stable 120 FPS with screen recording—something even some iPhones can’t do without throttling.
• Game Frame Interpolation: Boosts up to 144Hz via the Supercomputing Q2 chip (though I stick to native 120 FPS for stability).
• Stress Test: 7 hours and 6 minutes of continuous 120 FPS gameplay from 100% to 0% battery.
• Thermals: Moderate heating without cooling accessories; even better with a clip-on cooler.

Software Experience & Updates

Funtouch OS 14 on Android 14 runs smoothly. Animations are fluid, multitasking is lag-free, and bloatware is minimal. Over the past 4 months, iQOO has delivered two performance optimization updates, further improving thermal stability during gaming.

You also get 4 years of major updates and 5 years of security patches, which is impressive for the price.

Comparison with Rivals

If you value a cleaner UI experience, stronger brand value, and better camera performance while still having the same Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, then the OnePlus 13s is an excellent alternative. It will deliver gaming performance comparable to the iQOO 13, but it offers a more polished software experience and superior all-around camera quality.

Network & Connectivity for Online Gaming

Gaming performance isn’t just about hardware — stable connectivity matters too. The iQOO 13’s Wi-Fi 7 and 5G performance has been rock solid. I tested BGMI on both Jio and Airtel 5G, and ping stayed under 30ms most of the time.

Bluetooth 5.4 ensures minimal latency with wireless earbuds, which is especially useful for competitive shooters.

Battery & Charging – Long-Lasting and Blazing Fast

The 6000mAh battery easily handles:

• 6+ hours Screen-On Time (SOT) with heavy gaming
• 7–7.5 hours SOT with moderate use
• Only 1% overnight drain in standby

Charging is insanely quick—0–100% in ~30 minutes with the bundled 120W charger. The bypass charging feature is great for gaming while plugged in, sending power directly to the motherboard to preserve battery health.

Final Verdict – iQOO 13 After 120 Days

After four months of daily use, the iQOO 13 remains one of the best gaming-focused flagship killers in 2025.

Pros:

• Outstanding gaming performance (stable 120 FPS)
• Superb build quality and durability
• Stunning 2K display with excellent brightness
• Massive battery + ultra-fast charging
• Water and dust resistance (IP68/IP69)

Cons:

• 144Hz limited to certain modes
• Slightly bulky for small hands

If gaming performance, battery life, and value for money matter to you, the iQOO 13 is a no-brainer. For half the price of an iPhone, it delivers equal or even better sustained gaming performance without throttling.

FAQs for iQOO 13 Gaming Review After 120 Days