What if I told you that for under $700, you could get a smartphone with the same high-end processor as devices that cost twice as much? Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s exactly what the Realme GT 7 Pro vs. iQOO 13 comparison is about to confirm for you.
Both of these affordable flagships are powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8L chip, ensuring blazing-fast speed, excellent gaming performance, and efficient power management. But while they share the same heart, these phones take very different approaches.
The Realme GT 7 Pro is all about stunning design and an ultra-bright display, making it perfect for media consumption and everyday use. Meanwhile, the iQOO 13 is built for gamers, with high refresh rates, longer software updates, and gaming-focused optimizations.
But here’s the real question—which one is the better buy? Should you go for the sleek and vibrant Realme GT 7 Pro or the powerhouse iQOO 13?
By the end of this comparison, you’ll know exactly which smartphone deserves your money. So, without wasting any more time, let’s get started!
Design & Build Quality
Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 bring a premium glass and aluminum design, making them feel like true flagship devices. Right out of the box, they have that high-end, sturdy, and durable feel, proving that affordable flagships can still deliver top-tier build quality.
The Realme GT 7 Pro takes a bolder approach with its futuristic Mars Orange colorway. The way light reflects off its ripple-like design makes it stand out instantly, giving it an eye-catching, dynamic look. The matte aluminum frame not only enhances its premium appeal but also does a great job resisting fingerprints, keeping the phone looking clean.
However, at over 220g, the GT 7 Pro isn’t the lightest phone out there. Despite its heft, the weight distribution is excellent, making it comfortable to hold even during extended use.
The iQOO 13, on the other hand, offers a more subtle and refined aesthetic. While the GT 7 Pro screams “look at me”, the iQOO 13 whispers elegance and class. The matte-finished back, especially in the white variant, gives it a minimal and sophisticated feel.
A standout feature of the iQOO 13 is its RGB Monster Halo Light around the camera module. This unique touch lights up for notifications and gaming sessions, adding a fun, gamer-centric vibe. It may not be a necessary feature, but it definitely makes the iQOO 13 feel more dynamic and interactive.
When it comes to durability, both phones are top-tier. They boast IP68/IP69 ratings, meaning they can withstand water submersion and even high-pressure water jets. Whether it’s a rainy day, accidental spills, or adventurous outdoor use, these phones are built to last.
Display Specs & Features
When it comes to display quality, both the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 deliver stunning visuals, but they cater to different preferences. While the GT 7 Pro is all about extreme brightness, the iQOO 13 focuses on color accuracy and smoothness.
The Realme GT 7 Pro features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with an insane peak brightness of 6500 nits. This is one of the brightest smartphone displays ever, making it perfect for outdoor visibility. Whether you’re under direct sunlight or watching HDR content, this display ensures crystal-clear visibility at all times. While 6500 nits is the absolute peak, the average brightness hovers around 2000 nits, which is still remarkably high.
In addition to brightness, the GT 7 Pro supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, making movies and videos look vibrant with deep blacks and stunning contrast. High HDR scenes pop beautifully, providing a cinematic viewing experience. However, color tuning leans toward a slightly more saturated look, which some users may prefer for punchy visuals, but others may find less accurate.
On the other hand, the iQOO 13 comes with a slightly larger 6.82-inch AMOLED display. While its peak brightness maxes out at 4500 nits—which is still extremely bright—it doesn’t quite reach the GT 7 Pro’s extreme levels. That said, where the iQOO 13 excels is in color accuracy. The colors appear more natural and true to life, making it a better choice for those who prioritize realistic tones over exaggerated vibrancy.
One of the biggest advantages of the iQOO 13 is its refresh rate. It features a mind-blowing 144Hz refresh rate, compared to the 120Hz refresh rate on the Realme GT 7 Pro. This makes scrolling, gaming, and animations feel incredibly fluid and responsive, giving it an edge for mobile gamers and fast-paced applications.
Performance & Chipset: Realme GT 7 Pro vs. iQOO 13
Both the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, a true performance beast designed for gaming, multitasking, and heavy workloads. Whether you’re running resource-intensive apps, editing videos, or playing high-end mobile games, these devices can handle it all without breaking a sweat.
The Realme GT 7 Pro is actually the first smartphone to feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the iQOO 13 is one of the earliest devices to adopt it as well. Both phones push the boundaries of mobile performance, but the iQOO 13 manages to edge ahead in certain areas.
In benchmark tests like AnTuTu and Geekbench, the iQOO 13 consistently scores slightly higher than the Realme GT 7 Pro. This difference may not seem huge on paper, but in real-world usage, the iQOO 13 feels just a bit faster. Apps open slightly quicker, animations are smoother, and intensive tasks feel more effortless.
Where the iQOO 13 really shines is in gaming performance. Thanks to its advanced vapor chamber cooling system, it stays cooler and steadier even during extended gaming sessions. Heat buildup is minimal, which means you get sustained performance without thermal throttling.
Another gaming-focused feature on the iQOO 13 is Charge Bypass Mode, which allows the phone to draw power directly from the charger instead of the battery while gaming. This reduces battery heat buildup, ensuring consistent frame rates and longer gaming sessions without overheating.
On the other hand, the Realme GT 7 Pro still delivers flagship-level performance. It runs heavy games like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at max settings without any lag, proving that it’s no slouch in gaming either. However, compared directly to the iQOO 13, it does get warmer under heavy load.
When it comes to software optimization, the Realme GT 7 Pro focuses on a cleaner experience. Running Realme UI 6.0 based on Android 15, it offers fewer bloatware apps, less spammy notifications, and a more refined UI. In contrast, iQOO’s Funtouch OS 5 has more built-in gaming features, but it also comes with more pre-installed apps and occasional notifications.
So, which one is better? If you want raw power, better cooling, and superior gaming features, the iQOO 13 takes the lead. However, if you prefer a cleaner, more user-friendly software experience with fewer distractions, the Realme GT 7 Pro is the better choice. Both devices perform exceptionally well, but your decision depends on whether you prioritize gaming optimization or software simplicity.
Software & Updates
When it comes to software longevity, the iQOO 13 pulls ahead with a longer update commitment. iQOO promises 4 years of major Android updates and 5 years of security patches, ensuring that the device stays relevant and secure for a longer period.
On the other hand, the Realme GT 7 Pro offers 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches, which is still solid but falls slightly behind iQOO’s promise.
For users who like to hold onto their smartphones for multiple years, the iQOO 13 is the better choice in terms of long-term software support. However, both devices run custom Android skins—Realme UI and Funtouch OS—so your preference in software experience may also play a role in your decision.
Battery Life & Charging Speed
Both the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 bring serious battery power, ensuring all-day performance even for heavy users. The iQOO 13 packs a massive 6,150mAh battery, while the Realme GT 7 Pro edges ahead with a slightly larger 6,500mAh battery (though the Indian variant has a 5,800mAh cell).
In real-world usage, both smartphones easily last a full day of heavy use, with screen-on times exceeding 8 hours. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or multitasking, these batteries provide reliable endurance without constantly needing a charge.
Where things get really exciting is charging speed. Both devices come with 120W wired fast charging, allowing them to go from 0 to 100% in just around 30 minutes. This means even a quick charge of 10–15 minutes gives you several hours of usage, making battery anxiety a thing of the past.
The Realme GT 7 Pro gets a slight edge in advertised speeds, claiming to reach 50% charge in just 10 minutes globally. However, in practical usage, both devices charge at incredibly fast speeds, leaving traditional flagship phones far behind.
Unfortunately, neither the Realme GT 7 Pro nor the iQOO 13 support wireless charging, which feels like a missed opportunity at this price point. While fast wired charging is fantastic, some users might still prefer the convenience of wireless charging.
Camera Specs & Performance
Both the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 come equipped with 50MP main cameras, and in most scenarios, they deliver similar results in terms of detail, sharpness, and dynamic range. However, when you take a closer look at their camera performance across different conditions, the differences become much clearer.
Color & Image Processing
One of the first things you’ll notice is that iQOO 13 tends to produce more vibrant and saturated images. Colors pop more, and the contrast is higher, which often makes images instantly more appealing. Meanwhile, the Realme GT 7 Pro offers a more balanced and natural color profile, which may appeal to those who prefer a realistic representation of scenes rather than a boosted aesthetic.
Low-Light & Night Photography
When it comes to night photography, the iQOO 13 takes the lead. Night shots are sharper, cleaner, and retain more detail, thanks to better noise reduction and enhanced AI processing. However, one drawback is that the iQOO 13 sometimes makes the night sky appear unnaturally blue, which can look a bit overprocessed.
The Realme GT 7 Pro performs well in low light, but it doesn’t quite match the clarity of the iQOO 13. That said, if you prefer a more natural night shot, the Realme GT 7 Pro offers a more balanced approach.
Zoom & Telephoto Capabilities
This is where Realme GT 7 Pro fights back hard. It comes with a 3x optical telephoto lens, which allows for better handling of zoom shots, preserving more detail while maintaining sharpness.
The iQOO 13, on the other hand, only offers a 2x telephoto lens, which feels like a slight downgrade compared to its predecessor, which had a periscope zoom lens. At 2x zoom, the iQOO 13 produces vibrant images, which often look more visually appealing than the Realme GT 7 Pro’s shots. However, at 3x zoom, the quality of both cameras evens out, with similar levels of sharpness and detail.
Ultra-Wide Camera Performance
In this category, iQOO 13 takes a decisive win. Its 50MP ultra-wide sensor far surpasses Realme’s 8MP sensor, producing sharper images with far better dynamic range and low-light performance.
The Realme GT 7 Pro’s ultra-wide camera is underwhelming in comparison, struggling to capture fine details and produce high-quality low-light shots. If ultra-wide photography is important to you, then the iQOO 13 is the clear winner.
Selfie Camera & Front-Facing Shots
The iQOO 13 features a 32MP front-facing camera, which captures more detail than the Realme GT 7 Pro’s 16MP sensor. However, skin tones on the iQOO 13 can sometimes look unnatural, with over-processing that affects realism.
Surprisingly, the Realme GT 7 Pro produces better skin tones overall, offering a more natural balance in well-lit conditions. However, when lighting conditions aren’t ideal, the iQOO 13 captures more detail, while Realme’s front camera sometimes struggles with white balance.
Video Recording Performance
Both devices offer 8K video recording, with the Realme GT 7 Pro supporting 8K at 24FPS and the iQOO 13 going slightly higher at 8K 30FPS. However, for practical use, most users will likely prefer 4K recording on both devices.
The Realme GT 7 Pro’s video has a slight magenta tint, which some users might not like, while the iQOO 13 provides a more neutral color profile. Aside from this color shift, both devices deliver nearly identical video quality.
For front-facing video recording, the iQOO 13 takes the lead because it supports 4K video on the front camera, while the Realme GT 7 Pro is limited to 1080p. This makes iQOO 13 the better option for vloggers and content creators who rely on the selfie camera for high-resolution video.
Conclusion: Realme GT 7 Pro vs. iQOO 13 Which Camera is Better?
If camera performance is your priority, then iQOO 13 is the better smartphone overall. It excels in low-light photography, ultra-wide shots, and front-facing video recording, making it the superior choice for mobile photographers and vloggers.
However, the Realme GT 7 Pro holds its own in certain areas. If telephoto zoom and more natural color reproduction are important to you, then the GT 7 Pro offers some advantages.
Ultimately, if cameras are the deciding factor, the iQOO 13 is the more well-rounded and capable camera smartphone.
Pricing
For many buyers, pricing can be the ultimate deciding factor, and in this case, the iQOO 13 comes out as the more affordable option.
The iQOO 13 is priced at around $650, making it a better value for budget-conscious users. Meanwhile, the Realme GT 7 Pro costs around $700, which is slightly higher but still competitive for its features.
Both models come with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage at these price points, meaning you’re getting a powerful device regardless of your choice.
This $50 price difference may not seem huge, but it gives the iQOO 13 a slight edge, especially for those looking for the best value in performance and gaming.
Verdict
Choosing between the Realme GT 7 Pro vs. iQOO 13 ultimately depends on what matters most to you.
If you’re someone who loves a flashy, unique design, an extremely bright display, and strong telephoto performance, then the Realme GT 7 Pro is the better choice. Its 3x optical zoom lens delivers impressive results, and its 6,500-nit AMOLED screen is one of the brightest on any smartphone today.
However, if raw performance, gaming features, and better camera processing are your top priorities, then the iQOO 13 is the way to go. It offers a smoother, more responsive experience, thanks to its 144Hz refresh rate and superior software optimization.
One standout gaming feature on the iQOO 13 is the Monster Halo RGB light, which adds an immersive touch for gamers. The advanced vapor chamber cooling system also ensures longer, more stable gaming sessions without overheating.
On the camera front, the iQOO 13 wins in most areas, with better low-light performance, superior ultra-wide shots, and more natural color rendition. If camera quality is a key factor for you, then the iQOO 13 takes the lead.
Additionally, long-term software support is better on the iQOO 13, with four years of Android updates and five years of security patches compared to Realme’s three years of OS updates and four years of security patches.
Finally, let’s not forget the price advantage—at $50 less, the iQOO 13 offers a better deal in most regions.
So, which one should you buy?
- Go for the Realme GT 7 Pro if you want a unique design, extreme brightness, and better telephoto zoom.
- Go for the iQOO 13 if you want a faster, smoother, and longer-lasting phone with better cameras and gaming features.
Both phones deliver flagship-level performance at half the price of premium competitors, so you really can’t go wrong with either choice!
BUY Realme GT 7 Pro HERE
BUY iQOO 13 HERE
Pros & 
Cons: Realme GT 7 Pro vs. iQOO 13
Pros (Why You Might Want to Buy These Phones)
- Flagship-Level Performance at a Lower Price – Both the Realme GT 7 Pro and iQOO 13 feature the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, delivering powerful performance, smooth multitasking, and great gaming capabilities at half the price of premium flagships.
- Blazing-Fast Charging – With 120W wired charging, both phones can go from 0 to 100% in around 30 minutes, eliminating battery anxiety.
- iQOO 13’s Superior Gaming Features – The iQOO 13’s 144Hz refresh rate, vapor chamber cooling, and Charge Bypass Mode make it the better choice for gamers who want smoother performance and better thermal management.
- Realme GT 7 Pro’s Ultra-Bright Display – The Realme GT 7 Pro offers a 6,500-nit AMOLED display, making it one of the brightest smartphone screens ever, perfect for outdoor visibility and HDR content.
- Excellent Cameras with Strong Low-Light & Zoom Capabilities – The iQOO 13 excels in low-light photography and ultra-wide shots, while the Realme GT 7 Pro dominates in telephoto zoom with its 3x optical lens.
- Long-Term Software Support (iQOO 13 Wins Here) – iQOO 13 offers 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches, while Realme GT 7 Pro provides 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. If you plan to keep your phone for a long time, iQOO 13 is the better option.
Cons (Things You Might Not Like)
- No Wireless Charging – Neither phone supports wireless charging, which is a miss at this price point, especially when competitors like Samsung and Google offer it in similar-priced models.
- Realme GT 7 Pro Has More Color Saturation in Photos – If you prefer more natural color accuracy, the iQOO 13 is the better choice. The GT 7 Pro’s camera leans toward a more saturated, contrast-heavy look.
- iQOO 13’s Telephoto Zoom is Weaker – The iQOO 13 only has a 2x telephoto lens, compared to the Realme GT 7 Pro’s 3x optical zoom, making it less effective for long-range photography.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which phone has better gaming performance: Realme GT 7 Pro vs. iQOO 13?
The iQOO 13 is better for gaming because of its 144Hz refresh rate, advanced cooling system, and Charge Bypass Mode, which helps keep the phone cool during long gaming sessions. The Realme GT 7 Pro is still powerful, but iQOO 13 is the better choice for serious gamers.
2. Which phone has a brighter display?
The Realme GT 7 Pro has the brightest display, with a peak brightness of 6,500 nits, making it one of the brightest smartphone screens ever. The iQOO 13 peaks at 4,500 nits, which is still very bright but slightly lower than Realme’s.
3. How long do these phones get software updates?
The iQOO 13 has better long-term support, offering 4 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches, while the Realme GT 7 Pro provides 3 years of Android updates and 4 years of security patches.
4. Does either phone have wireless charging?
No, neither the Realme GT 7 Pro nor the iQOO 13 support wireless charging, which is a disappointment at this price point.
5. Which phone has better camera quality?
- iQOO 13 is better for low-light and ultra-wide shots.
- Realme GT 7 Pro is better for telephoto zoom (3x optical vs. iQOO’s 2x).
- Both have strong main cameras and great video recording.
6. Which phone should I buy: Realme GT 7 Pro or iQOO 13?
- Buy the iQOO 13 if you want better gaming performance, longer software updates, and superior low-light photography.
- Buy the Realme GT 7 Pro if you want an ultra-bright display, better zoom capabilities, and a more stylish design.
