The iQOO Neo 10 has stormed into the mid-range smartphone market in 2025, promising flagship-grade performance at a price that won’t break the bank. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and boasting a massive 7,000mAh battery, this device is designed to captivate gamers and power users alike. But does it live up to the hype, or is it just another contender in the crowded mid-range segment? After spending over a week with the iQOO Neo 10 review , we’ve explored its design, display, performance, camera, and software to bring you a comprehensive review. Let’s dive into why this phone is a compelling choice for budget-conscious tech enthusiasts.
Unboxing and Design: Familiar Yet Functional
Unboxing the iQOO Neo 10 reveals a sleek black box containing the essentials: the phone wrapped in protective paper, a transparent plastic case, a SIM ejector tool, a USB-A to USB-C cable, and a 120W fast charger. The inclusion of a high-speed charger is a welcome touch, especially in an era where many brands omit this accessory.
The design of the iQOO Neo 10 closely mirrors its sibling, the iQOO Neo 10R, which launched earlier in March 2025. It features a squarish camera module with subtle edge detailing and the iQOO branding at the bottom. Available in two striking color variants—Titanium Chrome and Inferno Red—the phone sports a plastic back and frame. While the plastic build keeps the weight at a manageable 206 grams and the thickness under 8.1mm, it feels less premium compared to glass or vegan leather alternatives seen in competitors like the iQOO Neo 9 Pro. The matte finish on the plastic frame resists fingerprints, but the back panel can attract smudges, so a cleaning cloth or the included case is recommended.
The phone’s ergonomics are enhanced by slightly curved edges, making it comfortable to hold despite its large 6.78-inch display. It boasts an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, offering protection against splashes but not full submersion. Connectivity options are robust, including Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, and an IR blaster—a rare feature that adds practical value for controlling home appliances.
Display: Vibr motion for Gaming and Media
The iQOO Neo 10 features a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a resolution of 1260×2800 pixels, delivering sharp and vibrant visuals. With a 144Hz refresh rate (120Hz in most scenarios), the display ensures buttery-smooth scrolling and gameplay, ideal for fast-paced gaming titles like BGMI and COD Mobile. The screen supports HDR10+ and boasts a peak brightness of 5,000 nits (2,000 nits in High Brightness Mode), making it legible even under direct sunlight, though glare can slightly affect visibility in extreme conditions. The 4,320Hz PWM dimming reduces eye strain during prolonged use, and the Schott Diamond Shield glass provides solid protection against scratches and minor drops.
The display’s color reproduction is impressive, with deep blacks and vivid highlights that make streaming content on platforms like Netflix a delight. The stereo speaker setup complements the visuals with loud and clear audio, though it lacks the bass depth for a truly immersive movie-watching experience. For casual media consumption and gaming, the display and audio combination makes the iQOO Neo 10 a strong contender in its price range.
Camera: Decent but Not a Showstopper
The iQOO Neo 10’s camera setup is identical to the Neo 10R, featuring a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP front-facing selfie camera. The primary sensor performs admirably in daylight, capturing detailed shots with good dynamic range and natural colors. In low-light conditions, it handles noise well, but lens flare issues can occur when shooting near bright lights, such as streetlights, resulting in colored streaks or ghost rings.
The ultra-wide lens is functional but falls short in detail and color consistency compared to the primary sensor, making it less reliable for critical shots. The 32MP selfie camera delivers crisp images in good lighting, but its low-light performance is underwhelming, with occasional color inaccuracies and a tendency to apply beautification effects that may not appeal to all users.
Compared to competitors like the iQOO 13, the iQOO Neo 10 lags due to the absence of a telephoto lens, which limits its versatility for zoom photography. While the camera system is solid for a gaming-focused phone, it’s not the strongest feature for those prioritizing photography.
Camera Comparison: iQOO Neo 10 vs. iQOO 13
| Feature | iQOO Neo 10 | iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Camera | 50MP Sony IMX882, OIS, f/1.79 | 50MP, OIS, f/1.68 |
| Ultra-Wide Camera | 8MP, f/2.2 | 50MP, f/2.0 |
| Selfie Camera | 32MP, f/2.45 | 32MP, f/2.0 |
| Video Recording | 4K@60fps (rear), 4K@30fps (front) | 8K@30fps (rear), 4K@30fps (front) |
| Low-Light Performance | Good, but lens flare issues | Superior low-light performance |
| Zoom Capability | No telephoto lens | 2x telephoto lens |
Performance: Flagship-Grade Power for Gamers
At the heart of the iQOO Neo 10 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, a first in India, paired with iQOO’s Q1 supercomputing chip for enhanced graphics performance. Available in configurations of 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB, and 16GB/512GB, the phone uses LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage (UFS 3.1 in the base model), ensuring lightning-fast app launches and multitasking. This is a significant upgrade over competitors like the iQOO Z10x, which uses slower storage.
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 delivers near-flagship performance, handling demanding tasks like video editing and gaming with ease. In benchmark tests, the Neo 10 scored an impressive 2,059,281 on AnTuTu, surpassing some competitors but falling short of high-end devices like the iQOO 13. On GeekBench 6, it achieved a single-core score of 2,102 and a multi-core score of 6,572, with a GPU score of 14,338. The 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test yielded a best loop score of 3,217 and a lowest loop score of 2,174, with 67.6% stability.
The phone’s 7,000mm² vapor chamber cooling system, combined with graphite films and thermal gels, keeps thermals in check during extended gaming sessions. During two-hour sessions of Genshin Impact at high settings, the device remained warm but never uncomfortably hot, maintaining consistent frame rates without sudden drops. This makes the iQOO Neo 10 a top choice for gamers seeking reliable performance without thermal throttling.
Benchmark Comparison: iQOO Neo 10 vs. Competitors
| Device | AnTuTu Score | GeekBench 6 (Single/Multi) | 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme |
|---|---|---|---|
| iQOO Neo 10 | 2,059,281 | 2,102 / 6,572 | 3,217 (Best) / 2,174 (Lowest) |
| iQOO 13 | >2,200,000 | ~2,300 / ~7,200 | Higher |
| iQOO Z10x | ~1,200,000 | ~1,500 / ~4,500 | Lower |
| iQOO Neo 9 Pro | ~1,900,000 | ~1,950 / ~6,000 | Lower |
Software: Funtouch OS 15 with Room for Improvement
The iQOO Neo 10 runs on Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15, with a promise of three years of OS updates and four years of security patches. The software offers a fluid experience with features like Priority Scheduling for 15% faster app launches, zRAM compression for improved performance, and AI tools like AI Photo Enhance and AI Erase for photo editing. However, the user interface is marred by pre-installed bloatware, including apps like Snapchat, PhonePe, and Netflix, and intrusive ads in the search drawer and lock screen. While most bloatware can be disabled during setup, the process is cumbersome, and the ad-heavy interface lacks the polish of competitors.
For gamers, Funtouch OS 15 includes a Game Mode that supports pop-up windows for multitasking and 120fps gameplay in titles like BGMI. The software also features live wallpapers, customizable call backgrounds, and a Link to Windows feature for seamless PC integration, enhancing its appeal for power users.
Battery: Long-Lasting Power with Rapid Charging
The iQOO Neo 10’s 7,000mAh battery is a standout feature, offering exceptional endurance for heavy users. With moderate to heavy usage, including gaming, streaming, and social media, the phone delivers 8–9 hours of screen-on time, easily lasting a day and a half. For lighter users, it can stretch to two days on a single charge. The included 120W fast charger tops up the battery from 0% to 50% in about 19 minutes and fully charges it in under 45 minutes. The bypass charging feature, which directs power to the motherboard during gaming, helps preserve battery health, making it a favorite among gamers.
Pros and Cons of iQOO Neo 10
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor | All-plastic build feels less premium |
| Massive 7,000mAh battery with 120W charging | No telephoto lens |
| Vibrant 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display | Bloatware and ads in Funtouch OS 15 |
| Effective cooling for sustained gaming | IP65 rating, not IP68 |
| Competitive price starting at ₹31,999 | Ultra-wide camera lacks detail |
Is iQOO Neo 10 Worth Buying?
The iQOO Neo 10, priced at ₹31,999 for the base 8GB/128GB variant, is a compelling option for gamers and power users seeking flagship-level performance on a budget. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, paired with the Q1 gaming chip, delivers exceptional performance for gaming and multitasking, while the 7,000mAh battery ensures long-lasting endurance. The 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate is a treat for media consumption and gaming, and the inclusion of a 120W charger adds significant value.
However, the phone’s all-plastic build and lack of a telephoto lens may disappoint users looking for a premium design or versatile photography. The Funtouch OS 15, while feature-rich, is hindered by bloatware and ads, which could detract from the overall experience. Compared to the iQOO 13, the Neo 10 offers similar performance at a lower price but misses out on premium materials and a more refined camera system.
For those prioritizing performance and battery life over design and software finesse, the iQOO Neo 10 is a strong contender. To learn more about its specifications, check out our detailed breakdown on iQOO Neo 10 specifications.
To explore more about the iQOO Neo 10’s performance in real-world scenarios, check out this detailed review on Android Central for additional insights.
Conclusion: A Budget Beast with Flagship Aspirations
The iQOO Neo 10 is a powerhouse in the mid-range segment, blending flagship-grade performance with a budget-friendly price tag. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, massive battery, and vibrant display make it a dream device for gamers and power users. While the plastic build, lack of a telephoto lens, and software quirks prevent it from being a perfect all-rounder, its value proposition is hard to beat. If you’re in the market for a performance-driven smartphone under ₹35,000, the iQOO Neo 10 deserves a spot on your shortlist.
