iQOO 13 Software And Operating System
The iQOO 13 is one of the most exciting Android smartphones to hit the market, combining a fresh iteration of Funtouch 15 with Qualcomm’s cutting-edge Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Here’s everything you need to know about the device, its performance, and software experience.
Funtouch 15 on Top of Android 15
Out of the box, the iQOO 13 runs Funtouch 15 based on Android 15. It’s important to note that the device in this review is running a pre-release version of the software, meaning some features may still be missing or undergoing final adjustments. One key thing to mention is the lack of customization options, particularly in the interface.
iQOO promises 4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches, making the iQOO 13 a solid choice for users who want long-term software support.
In terms of appearance, Funtouch 15 doesn’t bring drastic changes from the previous version (Funtouch 14). For users familiar with iQOO’s software, the learning curve is minimal. That said, Funtouch 15 does bring under-the-hood improvements in performance thanks to AI algorithms and better search functionality in the settings.
New Features in Funtouch 15
Despite the lack of major UI changes, there are some notable new additions:
1. Live Transcribe: This feature transcribes speech in real time and even notifies you when someone says your name during meetings—ideal for those who frequently attend virtual meetings.
2. AI-Powered Gallery App: The Gallery app now offers AI Erase to remove unwanted objects from images and AI Enhancements to improve certain properties of photos, making them more visually appealing.
3. Circle to Search: A useful feature that lets you search for specific information from a screenshot by simply circling it with your finger. This is now available on non-Samsung and non-Google devices, making it a great tool for those looking for efficient ways to search their photos.
Although these features are exciting, they’re not exclusive to the iQOO 13. Funtouch 15 also seems to be lacking significant innovations beyond what we saw with Funtouch 14.
Snapdragon 8 Elite Performance
Under the hood, the iQOO 13 is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, Qualcomm’s most powerful chipset to date. Unlike previous Snapdragon chips, this one uses Oryon cores (a custom design by Qualcomm), offering impressive performance. The two Prime Oryon V2 Phoenix L cores run at up to 4.32GHz, while the 6 Performance cores clock at 3.53 GHz.
The GPU is handled by the Adreno 830, which features three slices with dedicated memory for each, delivering smooth and high-quality graphics. It’s a chipset built for high-end gaming and demanding applications.
To further enhance gaming performance, iQOO has included the Supercomputing Q2 chip. This chip optimizes gaming experiences by upscaling resolutions (up to QHD) and stabilizing frame rates, reducing stutter in supported games like PUBG and Genshin Impact.
Storage and Benchmarks
The iQOO 13 comes in two variants: 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB of storage. Both variants use UFS 4.1 storage, though the 12GB/256GB model will get a future update to fully enable UFS 4.1’s advanced features like better efficiency, thermal management, and reduced latency.
In terms of benchmarks, the iQOO 13 holds its ground against other top-performing devices. Here’s how it fares:
- GeekBench 6: The iQOO 13 scored 9522 in multi-core, putting it in the top tier of Android smartphones.
- AnTuTu 10: It achieved a score of 2,791,585, placing it among the top performers.
- 3DMark (Wild Life Extreme): The device scored 6368, showcasing its graphical prowess, though devices like the vivo X200 Pro slightly outperform it in some GPU-intensive tests.
While the Snapdragon 8 Elite does show impressive results, especially in GPU tasks, the vivo X200 Pro with its Dimensity 9400 SoC edges out the iQOO 13 in some combined scenarios.
Thermal Management and Sustained Performance
Surprisingly, the iQOO 13 manages heat efficiently despite the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite. In CPU throttling tests, the device maintained around 80% of its theoretical performance over a full 1-hour stress test, which is impressive considering the high-end nature of the chipset.
However, when it comes to GPU performance, the device didn’t fare as well in the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test, with only 50% GPU stability. This indicates that while the phone is great for sustained CPU performance, GPU-intensive tasks may cause thermal throttling under prolonged stress.
Conclusion
The iQOO 13 is a powerhouse in terms of both hardware and software. It brings a refreshed Funtouch 15 experience with useful new features, but doesn’t bring drastic changes from its predecessor. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, it excels in performance, offering cutting-edge processing power and smooth gameplay with the help of its Supercomputing Q2 chip.
While its thermal performance is commendable for CPU-intensive tasks, there’s room for improvement in GPU stability during extended gaming sessions. Overall, the iQOO 13 is a top-tier Android device that promises great longevity, making it an excellent option for power users and gamers alike.
FAQs
1. What software does the iQOO 13 run?
The iQOO 13 runs Funtouch 15, which is based on Android 15. It offers a range of features like Live Transcribe and an AI-powered Gallery app but doesn’t introduce major changes to the UI compared to its predecessor, Funtouch 14.
2. What is the performance like on the iQOO 13?
The iQOO 13 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, featuring custom Oryon cores. It delivers excellent performance, especially for gaming, with the Adreno 830 GPU and Supercomputing Q2 chip for enhanced gaming experiences.
3. How does the iQOO 13 handle thermal management?
The iQOO 13 manages heat effectively, maintaining about 80% of its CPU performance during a 1-hour stress test. However, its GPU performance can suffer during extended gaming sessions due to thermal throttling, with only 50% GPU stability in 3DMark tests.
4. What storage options are available for the iQOO 13?
The iQOO 13 comes in two storage variants: 12GB/256GB and 16GB/512GB, both equipped with UFS 4.1 storage, which offers faster speeds and better thermal management.
5. How long will the iQOO 13 receive software updates?
iQOO promises 4 major Android updates and 5 years of security patches for the iQOO 13, ensuring long-term software support for users.
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