iQOO Z9vsApple iPhone 13
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
iQOO Z9 wins
Verdict
iQOO Z9 wins 4 of 5 categories — our overall pick
iQOO Z9 is the overall winner, 4 / 5 — price is its standout. At USD 299, it's also the most affordable of this group.
- iQOO Z9 takes Performance — led by ram (8 GB).
- iQOO Z9 takes Display — led by refresh rate (120 Hz).
- Apple iPhone 13 takes Camera — led by video score (86 pts).
- iQOO Z9 takes Battery — led by battery (5,000 mAh).
- iQOO Z9 takes Price — led by price (299 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose iQOO Z9 if you want…
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want more apps open at once — 8 GB vs 4 GB.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a bigger screen — 6.67 in vs 6.1 in.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want smoother scrolling — 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 1,800 nits vs 800 nits.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want sharper selfies — 16 MP vs 12 MP.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want longer battery life — 5,000 mAh vs 3,227 mAh.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want faster charging — 44 W vs 20 W.
- Choose iQOO Z9 if you want a lower price — 299 USD vs 499 USD.
Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want…
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 800,000 pts vs 700,000 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want a sharper screen — 460 ppi vs 395 ppi.
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want better video quality — 86 pts vs 62 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want a better camera — 126 pts vs 92 pts.
- Choose Apple iPhone 13 if you want the convenience of wireless charging — Yes vs No.
At a glance
- iQOO Z9
- Apple iPhone 13
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Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
iQOO Z9
Choose iQOO Z9 if price matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 299, the lowest price in this group.
Apple iPhone 13
Choose Apple iPhone 13 if camera matters most. It costs USD 499.
Pros & cons
iQOO Z9
- 120 Hz AMOLED
- Strong chip for the price
- 44 W charging
- No telephoto
- Plastic frame
- Average low-light camera
Apple iPhone 13
- A15 is still fast
- Great dual cameras
- Long iOS support
- 60 Hz display
- Slow 20 W charging
- Lightning port