Introduction: Should You Buy the iQOO Neo 10R?
The iQOO Neo 10R has been making waves in the Indian smartphone market, boasting flagship-grade performance at a mid-range price. With the powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a 144Hz AMOLED display, and a 6,400mAh battery, this device looks impressive on paper. But does it live up to expectations in real-world usage? Let’s dive into a practical, hands-on review of the iQOO Neo 10R.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Opening the box, you are greeted with the phone, an 80W fast charger, a USB-C cable, a SIM ejector tool, and some documentation. No earphones here, which has become the norm these days.
Holding the iQOO Neo 10R, you immediately notice its lightweight feel despite the large battery. The Raging Blue and MoonKnight Titanium color options add a touch of premium aesthetics. The plastic back might be a letdown for some, but the solid build quality makes up for it.
Display & Multimedia Experience: A Gamer’s Delight?
The 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the iQOO Neo 10R. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or gaming, the fluidity is evident.
Video Watching Experience
Streaming HDR10+ content on Netflix and YouTube is a treat. The 4,500 nits peak brightness ensures outdoor visibility remains excellent, even under direct sunlight.
Audio Experience
While the stereo speakers offer loud and clear audio, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack might disappoint wired audio lovers. High-resolution audio support is a plus for those using lossless audio files.
Performance & Gaming: Can It Handle Heavy Usage?
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) and Adreno 735 GPU, the iQOO Neo 10R is built for high-performance tasks. In daily usage, app opening times are blazing fast, and there is no noticeable lag or frame drops even with multiple background apps running.
Gaming Performance
We tested BGMI, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact at highest settings:
- BGMI: Runs at Ultra HDR with 90fps settings smoothly.
- Call of Duty: Mobile: Max graphics and frame rates work flawlessly.
- Genshin Impact: Even in demanding scenarios, the gameplay remains buttery smooth with minimal overheating.
Benchmark Scores
- AnTuTu Score: 1,504,721 points (Ranks among top mid-range performers)
- Geekbench 6: Single-core: 1789 | Multi-core: 5196
Verdict: If you are a gamer, this phone will not disappoint.
Camera Performance: A Mixed Bag
Rear Camera
- 50MP (OIS) primary sensor
- 8MP ultra-wide sensor
Daylight Shots
The main sensor captures sharp and vibrant images with excellent dynamic range. AI enhancements make colors pop, sometimes more than necessary, but you can disable this.
Low-Light Shots
Thanks to OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), night photography is decent, though some noise creeps in. Night mode improves sharpness, but the ultra-wide sensor struggles in low light.
Front Camera
The 32MP selfie shooter delivers good selfies with natural skin tones. Edge detection in portrait mode is surprisingly accurate.
Verdict: Cameras are good, but not the best in this segment. Competitors like the Pixel 7a and Realme GT 6T offer better image processing.
Battery Life & Charging: Can It Last a Full Day?
With a 6,400mAh battery, the iQOO Neo 10R easily lasts a full day with heavy usage.
Battery Drain Test:
- 8 hours of video playback – 40% battery left
- 5 hours of gaming – 30% battery left
- Heavy social media usage – Lasts a full day with ease
iQOO also launching another smartphone iQOO Z10 with masive 7300 mah Battery.
Charging Speeds
- 80W fast charging: 0-50% in 26 minutes, 100% in 55 minutes
- Supports 55W PD charging & 7.5W reverse wired charging
Verdict: One of the strongest battery performances in the segment.
Software & Updates: Funtouch OS Still Needs Work
The iQOO Neo 10R ships with Android 15 (Funtouch 15) and is promised 3 major Android updates. While Funtouch OS has improved, it still has bloatware, which thankfully can be removed.
Pros:
- Fluid UI experience
- No major bugs
Cons:
- No clean stock Android experience
- Some unnecessary pre-installed apps
What’s Missing?
- No NFC support (Might be a dealbreaker for some)
- No wireless charging (At this price, it’s expected)
- Plastic frame & back (Doesn’t feel ultra-premium)
Price & Alternatives
iQOO Neo 10R India Pricing:
- ₹26,998 (8GB + 128GB)
- ₹28,998 (8GB + 256GB)
- ₹30,998 (12GB + 256GB)
Main Competitors:
- Poco X7 Pro – Better display, similar performance
- Realme GT 6T – More premium design, similar battery life
- Nothing Phone (3a) – Unique design, cleaner UI
Final Verdict: Is the iQOO Neo 10R Worth It?
Who Should Buy It?
✅ Gamers & power users – The performance is unmatched in this range.
✅ Battery-conscious users – The 6,400mAh battery is among the best.
✅ Display lovers – The 144Hz AMOLED is fantastic for content.
Who Should Avoid It?
❌ Photography enthusiasts – Camera performance is good but not industry-leading.
❌ Those who prefer stock Android – Funtouch OS is feature-rich but has bloatware.
❌ Wireless charging users – If this is a dealbreaker, look elsewhere.
Overall, the iQOO Neo 10R is a performance powerhouse with a great display and battery life. It’s a gaming beast but falls slightly short in camera and software experience. If raw power is your priority, this is one of the best options under ₹30K.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/5)