If you’re looking for a new smartphone and you’re stuck between the iQOO 13 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, trust me, I get it. One is a speed demon promising to blow your mind away with raw power, while the other is Samsung’s latest flagship killer that’s got everyone talking. But here’s the real question: which one actually deserves your money? I know you’re curious and want to find out, so without taking much of your time, let’s find below.
Table of Contents
Design & Build
Starting with how they look and feel in the hand, The iQOO 13 has got some flair, no doubt. Its flat glass aluminum body feels premium and modern. And then there’s this flashy RGB LED ring at the back, also known as the Monster Halo. It lights up for notifications, gaming, and even charging, giving off serious gamer vibes. But let’s be honest here, the RGB glow isn’t super bright outdoors, and for some, it might feel a bit too much.
The Galaxy S24 FE, on the other hand, oozes practicality with a touch of elegance. It’s rocking Gorilla Glass Victus Plus both on the front and the back, along with an aluminum frame. Adding the IP68 certification, which the iQOO 13 also has not IP68, 69 it’s clear Samsung designed this phone to survive real-world accidents like when this phone slips out of your pocket into a sink of dishes. I mean, we’ve all been there. Samsung also throws in some playful color options like the Mint Yellow, which I think adds a bit more personality compared to iQOO’s safer color choices of palette.
In the hands, both phones are comfortable. Both are a little over 200g. I mean, these are no featherweights. I prefer how the Samsung feels. There’s no huge camera module obstructing how you decide to hold this device, and it also feels like a flagship Samsung device.
So, if you’re into bold, flashy designs, you’ll likely lean towards the iQOO here, while Samsung’s understated yet polished look has a broader appeal.
Displays & Speakers
For iQOO 13 features a 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a WQHD+ resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate, along with 4,500-nit brightness, bro, even if you’re under bright sunlight, this phone doesn’t care. Add support for HDR10+ and fantastic color depth, and this is a dream screen for movie buffs and gamers alike.
The Galaxy S24 FE isn’t far off at 6.7 inches. It’s slightly smaller with a 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, but don’t let that fool you—it’s still stunningly vibrant, supports HDR10+, and hits a peak brightness of about 1,900 nits. Scrolling is buttery smooth thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate, though it can’t touch the 144Hz you get on the iQOO.
Now, the S24 FE bezels are slim, so the screen-to-body ratio here is nice, but the resolution is hard to ignore. The bezels on the S24 FE are not the slimmest out there; in fact, iQOO has a better screen-to-body ratio here and slimmer bezels. Also, the resolution difference is hard to ignore when you place them side by side. If you’re a pixel peeper or crave the absolute best, iQOO’s high-res QHD panel is a clear winner. But for daily use, the S24 FE’s lower resolution won’t bother most people, and honestly, Samsung’s stellar color calibration and reliability make the Samsung quite good also. But the iQOO 13 wins in this category.
When it comes to audio, the iQOO 13 is a louder device. It has this heavier bass—there’s nothing more to say here. This is just the better device in this department. As far as biometrics, they have the standard options: face unlock and fingerprint scanners. You can tell that iQOO is miles ahead with the speed at which it scans and unlocks, the reason being the ultrasonic in-display sensor with iQOO against the optical and slower type you get with Samsung.
Performance & Software
Performance is where the iQOO 13 starts flexing like real hard. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, this phone is all about speed. Apps open instantly, multitasking is seamless, and gaming? Forget about it! Even resource-hungry games like Genshin Impact run at max settings with no stutters, and that’s all thanks to Game Super Resolution and 144Hz frame interpolation. Plus, iQOO’s vapor chamber cooling system ensures the phone stays cool even during those extended gaming marathons.
But Samsung went a different route, equipping the Samsung S24 FE with the Exynos 2400 chip. It’s not a slouch by any means, handling everyday tasks and mid-level gaming with ease, but it doesn’t pack the same firepower as a Snapdragon in the iQOO 13. You’ll notice the difference in heavy multitasking or demanding games, especially if you’re pushing the frame rates.
Don’t get me wrong, the S24 FE is responsive and capable, but it just can’t match the beastly performance of the iQOO 13 here. For raw power and gaming, the iQOO 13 leaves the S24 eating its dust. But for casual users or those who prioritize software polish, Samsung’s One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14 is incredibly smooth and feature-rich—probably one of the best Android skins out there. The iQOO 13 runs on Android 15, by the way.
In terms of updates, Samsung wins as they promise 7 years of system updates and patches, while you would be getting four years of OS updates with the iQOO and about 5 years of security patches. So that means up to Android 19 on the iQOO and maybe Android 21 on the S24 FE.
Cameras Comparison
The cameras, because this is where things start to get a little complicated, especially for the IQOO. The IQOO 13 comes with a triple 50-megapixel setup: a main, telephoto, and ultra-wide lens. Meanwhile, the S24 FE counters with a 50-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide. But when it comes to image processing, Samsung continues to shine. The colors are vibrant yet natural, the dynamic range is spot on, and the images overall feel more refined, less overly saturated or contrasty like the IQOO does here.
On the other hand, the IQOO seems like it’s trying a little bit too hard to impress with its more saturated look. That said, IQOO does hold on to a bit more detail when you zoom in on the photos, which is worth noting. Speaking of zooms, here’s where things get interesting. At 2x zoom, IQOO switches over to its optical zoom sensor, while the S24 FE relies on a digital zoom. Here, the IQOO edges out the FE with sharper results. At 3x, where the S24 FE’s optical zoom shines, I expected a clear win for Samsung, but surprisingly, the results were neck to neck. And when I pushed it to 10x zoom, IQOO once again pulled ahead with better clarity. So, in the zoom department, IQOO takes the crown.
As far as the ultra-wide lens, both smartphones deliver solid results. However, IQOO’s sharing algorithm has a touch more detail in certain shots. Also, the megapixel count matters here, and I think that would appeal to a lot more users. Low light performance is another area where IQOO stands out. Its images are brighter and more detailed, making the S24 FE results a bit underwhelming by comparison. That said, the heavy AI processing on IQOO’s side can occasionally go overboard, but it generally produces impressive results in challenging lighting.
When it comes to selfies, IQOO boasts a 32-megapixel front-facing camera, while the S24 FE has a 10-megapixel shooter. Surprisingly, Samsung’s software magic levels the playing field in a way. Its skin tones and detailing are excellent, making the megapixel difference almost irrelevant. Now, it’s there—you can see the IQOO has more detail, but the quality of the photos from the S24 FE’s front-facing camera is actually impressive.
Now, for videos, both smartphones can shoot up to 8K at 30 FPS, but Samsung takes the lead with its superior stabilization and more accurate colors. I personally prefer the S24 FE’s 4K footage for its flatter and more cinematic look, while the IQOO leans into a higher contrast and saturation style that might appeal to those who like punchy visuals. Dynamic range is another win for the S24 FE, as its videos feel less processed and more natural overall. For the front-facing video, the IQOO’s warmer color temperature stood out for me, but in terms of details, both smartphones are on par. However, Samsung’s stabilization at 4K for front-facing video is a clear advantage—it’s something IQOO doesn’t quite match.
When it comes to choosing the better camera setup, the S24 FE feels like a more balanced and reliable option. Its AI optimization, dynamic range, and refined video performance make it a standout for photography enthusiasts and casual users alike. That said, IQOO has a strength, excelling in low-light situations, delivering slightly sharper zoom results, and offering impressive ultra-wide shots, which the S24 FE here doesn’t quite match and that actually beats the S24 FE’s ultra-wide camera. But for a well-rounded experience that’s easier to trust across all scenarios, the S24 FE is the clear choice. But personally, I think I just prefer the S24 FE color profile, I just don’t need that whole saturation thing going on with IQOO.
Battery & Charging
So far, the battery life here is also interesting. The iQOO 13 wins this size game with a 6150mAh battery, which can easily last you a full day or more, even with intense use. Pair that with 120W wired charging that juices up this device from 0 to 100% in just 30 minutes, and you’ve got an absolute charging monster. The S24 FE, on the other hand, has a smaller 4700mAh battery. It will get you through a day of regular use just fine, but gaming or heavy multitasking can drain it more quickly than the iQOO.
Charging speeds are, well, respectable—25 watts while charging, and this gets you about 50% in 30 minutes. You’ve also got 15-watt wireless charging and reverse wireless charging for added versatility, and that’s something not seen on the iQOO 13. So, if you want wonderful battery power and charging speed, go for the iQOO. But if wireless charging and convenience are more important to you, then the S24 FE has your back.
Price
So, for about 0, you get the Galaxy S24 FE with 8 GB of RAM and 256 gigs of internal storage, and for 0, about less, you would find the IQOO 13 on AliExpress with 12 gigs of RAM and the same storage option as the Galaxy. In fact, if you go for about 0, you can double the storage on the IQOO.
Conclusion
So, which of the smartphones should you pick? Honestly, it depends on what you value most. If you’re a power user, gamer, or someone who just loves bleeding-edge performance and blazing-fast charging, then the IQOO 13 is a no-brainer as a kind of phone that screams, “I’m here to flex.” But if you’re after a more balanced everyday experience with reliable cameras, polished software, and maybe the convenience of wireless charging, then the Galaxy S24 FE stands out as a good choice. Plus, Samsung’s long-term FE support means you would be enjoying updates while other phones are left behind. But personally, I would go with the IQOO for this comparison. Ultimately, both smartphones bring something unique to the table. The IQOO is the daring innovator, while the S24 FE is the dependable all-rounder kind of.
