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iQOO Neo 10R: A Mid-Range Powerhouse Redefining Performance in India

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Posted by Kishan Baraiya | May 9, 2025The smartphone market in India is a battleground where brands compete fiercely to offer the best value for money. Among the contenders, iQOO has carved a niche for itself by delivering performance-oriented devices at competitive prices. The latest addition to its lineup, the iQOO Neo 10R, has generated significant buzz since its launch in March 2025. Priced starting at ₹26,998, this mid-range smartphone promises flagship-grade performance, a massive battery, and gaming-centric features that make it a compelling choice for tech enthusiasts and gamers alike.

In this in-depth article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the iQOO Neo 10R, from its specifications and design to its performance, camera capabilities, and software experience. We’ll also dive into how it stacks up against competitors and whether it’s the right smartphone for you. Let’s get started!

 

iQOO Neo 10R: Price and Availability in India

 

The iQOO Neo 10R is available in three storage variants in India, catering to different budgets and needs:

These prices position the iQOO Neo 10R firmly in the sub-₹30,000 segment, making it a direct competitor to devices like the POCO X7 Pro, Nothing Phone 3a, and OnePlus Nord 4. The smartphone is available for purchase through Amazon India and the official iQOO e-store, with attractive offers such as:

The iQOO Neo 10R comes in two striking color options: Raging Blue and Moonknight Titanium, both of which add a touch of flair to its design.

Design and Build: Sleek Yet Practical

 

The iQOO Neo 10R sports a modern, minimalist design that balances aesthetics with functionality. Measuring 163.72mm x 75.88mm x 7.98mm and weighing 196 grams, it’s impressively slim for a phone packing a massive 6,400mAh battery. The phone features a plastic frame and rear panel, which is a common choice in this price range to keep costs down. While the plastic build feels sturdy, it may not exude the premium feel of glass-backed competitors like the OnePlus Nord 4.

 

The Raging Blue variant boasts a sporty, dual-tone finish that appeals to younger audiences, while the Moonknight Titanium offers a more understated, professional look. However, the plastic back is prone to smudges and scratches, so using the included case is advisable.

On the durability front, the iQOO Neo 10R shines with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, a feature not commonly found in mid-range smartphones. The display is protected by Schott Xensation Up glass, adding an extra layer of durability against accidental drops. The ergonomic button placement and slim profile make it comfortable to hold, even during extended gaming sessions.

Display: A Visual Treat for Gamers and Content Creators

The iQOO Neo 10R features a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a resolution of 2800 x 1260 pixels. This flat panel delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for gaming, video streaming, and everyday use. Key display specifications include:

The display’s high refresh rate and touch sampling rate of 2,000Hz make it a delight for gamers, offering buttery-smooth gameplay in titles like BGMI and COD Mobile. The punchy colors and HDR support enhance the experience on OTT platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, while the high brightness ensures excellent outdoor visibility.However, some users might notice that the resolution, while sharp, isn’t as crisp as some flagship displays. For the price, though, the iQOO Neo 10R’s display is among the best in its class.

 

Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Powerhouse

At the heart of the iQOO Neo 10R lies the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, a 4nm processor that delivers flagship-grade performance at a mid-range price. Paired with the Adreno 735 GPU, up to 12GB LPDDR5x RAM, and UFS 4.1 storage (on the 256GB variant), this phone is a performance beast.

 

Benchmark Scores

The iQOO Neo 10R has posted impressive benchmark scores, cementing its claim as one of the fastest phones under ₹30,000:

AnTuTu: 1,476,651 (CPU: 382,124, GPU: 499,035, Memory: 382,124, UX: 273,014)Geekbench: Single-core: 1,971, Multi-core: 5,139GFXBench Manhattan: 7,501.0GFXBench T-Rex: 6,778.0PCMark Battery: 16h 22mIn real-world usage, the iQOO Neo 10R handles demanding tasks with ease. Whether you’re multitasking, editing videos, or playing graphics-intensive games, the phone remains lag-free. The 6043mm² vapor cooling chamber ensures minimal thermal throttling, even during extended gaming sessions.Gaming FeaturesiQOO has tailored the Neo 10R for gamers with a suite of dedicated features:Built-in FPS meter for real-time performance monitoring.E-sports mode and Monster Mode to optimize performance.Bypass charging to reduce heat during gaming while plugged in.4D Game Vibration for immersive haptic feedback.2000Hz instant touch sampling rate for lightning-fast response times.90fps support for games like BGMI, with stable performance for up to 5 hours.These features, combined with the powerful hardware, make the iQOO Neo 10R a dream device for mobile gamers on a budget.Camera: Decent but Not the StarThe iQOO Neo 10R’s camera setup is designed to be functional rather than exceptional, which is typical for performance-focused phones. The rear camera module includes:50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera (f/1.95, OIS) for sharp, detailed shots.8MP ultra-wide camera for expansive landscapes and group photos.On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera housed in a central punch-hole cutout.Camera PerformanceDaylight Photography: The primary camera captures accurate colors with boosted contrast and shadows. Details are acceptable, though finer textures may lack sharpness due to software processing. The ultra-wide lens offers balanced colors but struggles with edge distortion.Low-Light Photography: Night mode improves low-light performance, but details and noise reduction could be better compared to rivals like the Nothing Phone 3a.Video Recording: The primary camera supports 4K 60fps recording with impressive stability and balanced colors. The front camera records at 4K 30fps, making it suitable for vlogging. A Pro video mode allows tweaking ISO and shutter speed for advanced users.Selfies: The 32MP front camera delivers vibrant, detailed selfies, though low-light performance is average without flash.AI FeaturesThe iQOO Neo 10R includes AI enhancements like AI Photo Enhance, AI Erase, and Google’s Circle to Search, adding versatility for casual photographers. However, the lack of a dedicated telephoto lens is a noticeable omission in this price range.Battery and Charging: A Road WarriorOne of the standout features of the iQOO Neo 10R is its 6,400mAh battery, one of the largest in its segment. This massive battery, combined with 80W fast charging, makes it a true road warrior. Key battery highlights:Battery Life: The phone easily lasts a full day with heavy usage, including gaming, streaming, and photography. In PCMark’s battery test, it clocked an impressive 16 hours and 22 minutes.Charging Speed: The 80W charger (included in the box) takes the phone from 20% to 100% in approximately 40 minutes. Bypass charging ensures minimal heat during gaming while charging.The iQOO Neo 10R’s battery performance is a major selling point, especially for users who need a device that can keep up with their demanding lifestyle.Software: Clean and Future-ProofThe iQOO Neo 10R runs Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, offering a clean and optimized software experience. iQOO promises 3 years of Android upgrades and 4 years of security updates, ensuring the phone remains relevant until 2029. The software is relatively bloatware-free, with a few pre-installed apps that can be uninstalled.Key software features include:Customizable UI: Options to tweak the home screen, app drawer, and notification panel.Gaming Optimizations: Dedicated game modes and performance tweaks.AI Tools: AI Photo Enhance, AI Erase, and Circle to Search for enhanced productivity.60-Month Smooth Experience: iQOO claims the phone will remain lag-free for 5 years, thanks to optimized hardware and software.While Funtouch OS is smooth and feature-rich, some users may prefer the cleaner OxygenOS or Nothing OS. Nonetheless, the software experience is polished and tailored for performance.Connectivity and Additional FeaturesThe iQOO Neo 10R is well-equipped for modern connectivity needs:5G Support: Compatible with multiple 5G bands (FDD N1/N3/N5/N8/N28, TDD N38/N40/N41/N77/N78).Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast and reliable connections.USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer.IR blaster for controlling appliances.Under-display fingerprint sensor for secure and quick unlocking.However, the absence of NFC is a surprising omission in 2025, limiting seamless digital payments and data sharing. This could be a dealbreaker for some users.Audio and MultimediaThe iQOO Neo 10R features dual stereo speakers with customized sound effects for gaming and media consumption. The audio is clear and immersive, with support for high-resolution audio codecs. The 4D Game Vibration enhances the gaming experience with realistic haptic feedback, while the AI game voice changer adds a fun element to voice chats.For video streaming, the HDR10+ display and dual speakers create an engaging multimedia experience, making the iQOO Neo 10R a great choice for binge-watchers.iQOO Neo 10R vs. CompetitorsThe sub-₹30,000 segment is crowded with strong contenders. Here’s how the iQOO Neo 10R stacks up against its rivals:iQOO Neo 10R vs. POCO X7 ProProcessor: iQOO Neo 10R (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3) vs. POCO X7 Pro (MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra). The iQOO offers better GPU performance.Battery: iQOO’s 6,400mAh vs. POCO’s 6,550mAh. Both are excellent, but POCO’s 90W charging is faster.Camera: POCO’s 50MP + 8MP setup performs similarly, but iQOO’s video recording is more stable.Price: iQOO starts at ₹26,999, while POCO is slightly cheaper at ₹24,499.Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R is better for gamers, while the POCO X7 Pro is a budget-friendly all-rounder.iQOO Neo 10R vs. Nothing Phone 3aProcessor: iQOO’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 outperforms Nothing’s Snapdragon 7s Gen 3.Battery: iQOO’s 6,400mAh vs. Nothing’s 5,000mAh. iQOO lasts longer.Camera: Nothing’s 50MP + 8MP + 50MP setup offers more versatility, but iQOO’s video quality is superior.Price: Both start at similar price points (~₹25,000–₹26,999).Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R is better for performance and battery life, while Nothing Phone 3a appeals to design-conscious users.iQOO Neo 10R vs. OnePlus Nord 4Processor: Both use Snapdragon chipsets, but Nord 4’s Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 is slightly less powerful.Battery: iQOO’s 6,400mAh vs. Nord 4’s 5,500mAh. iQOO wins in endurance.Build: Nord 4’s metal unibody feels more premium than iQOO’s plastic build.Price: Nord 4 starts at ~₹29,999, making iQOO more affordable.Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R offers better value, while the Nord 4 excels in build quality and software.Pros and ConsProsPowerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset for flagship-grade performance.Massive 6,400mAh battery with 80W fast charging.Vibrant 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate.Gaming-centric features like E-sports mode and 4D Game Vibration.IP65 rating and Schott Xensation Up glass for durability.Clean software with 3 years of Android updates.ConsPlastic build feels less premium.No NFC support.Camera struggles with finer details and low-light performance.Limited color options.Should You Buy the iQOO Neo 10R?The iQOO Neo 10R is a stellar choice for gamers, power users, and anyone seeking a high-performance smartphone under ₹30,000. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, 6,400mAh battery, and gaming optimizations make it a standout in the mid-range segment. The vibrant AMOLED display, fast charging, and durable build further enhance its appeal.However, if you prioritize camera performance, premium build quality, or NFC support, you might want to consider alternatives like the Nothing Phone 3a or OnePlus Nord 4. For most users, though, the iQOO Neo 10R delivers exceptional value, blending flagship power with mid-range affordability.Final ThoughtsThe iQOO Neo 10R is a testament to iQOO’s commitment to delivering high-performance smartphones at aggressive prices. Whether you’re a mobile gamer, a content creator, or a multitasking professional, this phone has something to offer. Its combination of a powerful processor, massive battery, and gaming-centric features makes it one of the best mid-range smartphones of 2025.If you’re in the market for a new smartphone, the iQOO Neo 10R deserves a spot on your shortlist. Head to Amazon India or the iQOO e-store to grab yours today and experience the power of a mid-range powerhouse!What do you think of the iQOO Neo 10R? Let us know in the comments below, and stay tuned to kishanbaraiya.com for more tech reviews and updates!

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