Vivo's first Snapdragon 8 Elite phone hits global markets… kind of

Vivo’s very first Snapdragon 8 Elite smartphone has just reached global markets, well, kind of. The device in question is called the IQOO 13, and it launched in its first non-China market, India.

The iQOO 13 gets a global variant and becomes Vivo’s first global Snapdragon 8 Elite

This represents the first launch for a global version of the iQOO 13. Now, why do I say this is a Vivo phone? Well, because iQOO is Vivo’s subbrand, and the device comes with Vivo’s software, Funtouch OS 15, which is based on Android 15.

This smartphone does have a lot going for it. It is not only fueled by Qualcomm’s most powerful chip, but is equipped with 12GB/16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB/512GB of UFS 4.1 flash storage.

There is a 6.82-inch 3168 x 1440 LTPO AMOLED display on the front. That’s a curved display from BOE, and it offers a variable refresh rate (1-144Hz). HDR10+ content is supported, and the display offers a 20:9 aspect ratio. The peak brightness here is 4,500 nits, and 2,592Hz PWM dimming is also a part of the package.

A 6,000mAh battery is included, and 120W charging supported

A 6,000mAh battery sits on the inside of the phone, and 120W wired charging is supported too. Do note that the charger does come with the phone, but wireless charging is not supported, nor is reverse charging.

A 50-megapixel main camera (Sony’s IMX921 sensor, 1/1.49-inch sensor, f/1.88 aperture, OIS) sits on the back. A 50-megapixel ultrawide camera (Samsung’s JN1 sensor, f/2.0 aperture) is also there, as is a 50-megapixel telephoto camera (f/1.85 aperture lens, 119.4-degree FoV, 1/2.93-inch sensor, Sony IMX816 sensor, OIS). A single 32-megapixel snapper sits on the front.

This phone also features an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanner and an IR blaster up top. Stereo speakers are included here too, while the device is IP68 and IP69 certified. There are two SIM card slots here, and the phone supports Bluetooth 5.4 and 5G connectivity.

The iQOO 13 measures 163.37 x 76.71 x 8.13mm, while it weighs 213 grams. This phone comes in three color options, and the pricing starts at INR54,999 ($649) in India.