iQOO has made a name for itself in the smartphone market by providing high-performance devices at competitive prices. Following the release of the iQOO 13, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, which retailed for Rs 59,999, the brand now introduces a more budget-conscious option: the iQOO Neo 10R. Starting at Rs 26,999, this model boasts Qualcomm’s high-end Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor.
With the iQOO Neo 10R, the emphasis is once again on exceptional performance at an affordable price. This phone features a 6,400mAh battery while maintaining a surprisingly slim design, which is quite impressive.
In addition to its powerful processor, the Neo 10R supports 80W charging (charger included), and it features a 50MP primary camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). But do these offerings come together to create a well-rounded device? Let’s examine.
### Design and Display
The iQOO Neo 10R shares a similar design philosophy with the iQOO 13, featuring a square rear camera housing and curved edges. However, the build quality is a noticeable downgrade, contributing to its lower price point. The device has a plastic chassis that feels less premium if handled without a case. The color options are limited, with the Raging Blue variant having a sporty vibe but potentially overwhelming colors, while the MoonKnight Titanium version presents a more subtle aesthetic, which could lose its charm over time.
Despite the plastic construction, the iQOO Neo 10R offers solid durability with an IP65 rating and SCHOTT Xensation Up protection for the display, making it relatively resilient against dust and water. The ergonomics of the button placements also add to the overall handling comfort.
The Neo 10R features a 6.68-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1.5K (2,800 x 1,260 pixels). While the display provides vibrant colors and HDR support for streaming platforms, the native brightness levels could use improvement. In lab tests, the device performed well, though its competitors still edged it out in brightness performance.
### Camera Performance
The camera setup on the iQOO Neo 10R lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, featuring instead a 50MP primary camera with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The front camera comes with a 32MP sensor for selfies.
iQOO tends to produce devices with natural color reproduction, balanced by enhanced contrast, particularly in still photography. The camera is effective, though it may struggle slightly with fine detail capture. However, software processing helps improve clarity in many instances. Portrait mode images are generally pleasing but may sometimes lack in capturing intricate details accurately.
Interestingly, video capabilities are impressive for the price range, with the primary camera supporting video recording at 4K 60fps and the front at 4K 30fps. The stability and color representation are commendable, appealing particularly to users who enjoy video recording.
### Performance and Software
The iQOO Neo 10R aims squarely at gamers and performance-centric users, integrating the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC alongside 12GB RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.1 storage. In various synthetic benchmarks like AnTuTu and Geekbench, it scores highly, though it lags slightly behind the POCO X7 Pro, which employs the Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset.
In everyday usage, the user experience is smooth with minimal lag, and even during intense gaming sessions, the phone manages thermal output effectively. iQOO has also enhanced its software support, promising three major Android updates and four years of security patches.
The operating system is built on Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15, but users may find it contains many pre-installed apps. New features include AI tools for translation and photo editing, making the software experience relatively feature-rich.
However, it should be noted that the absence of NFC support limits functionality for digital transactions, a significant feature in 2025.
### Battery Life
The 6,400mAh battery is a standout feature of the Neo 10R, supporting fast 80W charging. This efficient battery design ensures that users can expect excellent longevity, often exceeding one full day under heavy usage. Battery endurance tests yielded over 16-hour results, establishing it as a strong contender in its category.
Charging from 20 to 100 percent takes about 40 minutes, making it one of the faster options available in the market.
In summary, the iQOO Neo 10R caters to users seeking a performance-oriented smartphone without the hefty price tag. Despite some drawbacks related to build quality and limited color options, its robust power, competitive camera capabilities, and impressive battery performance make it a favorable choice for users, especially gamers looking for efficiency at a more palatable price point.