The iQOO Neo 10R may not directly replace last year’s iQOO Neo 9 Pro in terms of pricing, but there are notable overlaps in features and specifications between the two devices. The Neo 10R, notably devoid of the “Pro” designation, leaves the door open for a true successor to the Neo 9 Pro to arrive soon. Both phones, however, possess strong qualities that make it worthwhile for potential buyers of the Neo 10R to consider the older Neo 9 Pro.
iQOO Neo 10R Design: Basic Yet Functional
- Dimensions – 163.7 x 75.8 x 7.9mm
- Weight – 196g
- Durability – IP65
The design of the iQOO Neo 10R leans heavily on a minimalist approach compared to the Neo 9 Pro. The phone has a slender profile, although the materials are rather ordinary. While the Raging Blue finish boasts a polycarbonate frame and rear panel, the latter quickly collects smudges and dust, making upkeep essential.
This choice of materials aligns with the phone’s impressive battery capacity, though the device still tips the scales at a hefty 196g.
The iQOO Neo 10R’s Raging Blue finish features a unique colourway.
The IP65 rating for water and dust resistance is commendable for this price category, although some competitors offer IP68 ratings that provide even better protection against the elements. However, it’s worth noting that standard warranties often exclude water damage.
A standout design feature is the display’s thin bezels, particularly on the top, left, and right sides. The bottom bezel, although slightly thicker, still retains the overall sleek look.
iQOO Neo 10R Display: Crisp Visuals
- Display size – 6.78-inch, 1,260 x 2,800 pixels, 1.5K, 452 ppi
- Display type – AMOLED, 60-90-120Hz
- Display protection – Schott Xensation Up
The display mostly reproduces natural colors in the default mode, and clarity is excellent, reaching peak brightness levels of 4,500 nits outdoors. It holds brightness better than competitors like the Nothing Phone 3a.
Protected by Schott Xensation Up glass, the display effectively reduces fingerprints, unlike the rear panel.
The AMOLED display supports Widevine L1 for Full HD streaming. Notably, it is HDR10 certified, providing a quality viewing experience across supported apps.
The in-display fingerprint scanner functions efficiently throughout the review period, proving reliable and quick to respond.
iQOO Neo 10R Software: Enhanced Features
- Android version – Android 15
- Software – Funtouch OS 15
- Software commitment – 3 years of software updates and 4 years of security updates
Operating on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, the Neo 10R features a fluid interface enriched with several enhancements, including updated live wallpapers, new icon designs, and improved always-on display effects. The interface feels responsive and can even run demanding games in a pop-up window, allowing multi-tasking.
Funtouch OS 15, powered by Android 15, incorporates modern AI tools and customization possibilities.
The software comes equipped with various AI tools, including an AI Eraser for object removal and an enhanced resolution Photo Enhance tool specifically for portraits. The notification experience was unobtrusive, although the device ships with several pre-installed third-party apps that can be uninstalled if needed.
iQOO Neo 10R Performance: Solid Offering
- Processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- RAM – 8/12GB (LPDDR5X)
- Storage – 128/256GB (UFS 4.1, UFS 3.1 for 8+128GB)
Performance on Funtouch OS was seamless, with minimal heat generation during everyday tasks. However, demanding applications like Genshin Impact did cause the phone to heat up, especially during camera use. Despite this, the software maintained smooth performance throughout, even during 4K video recording sessions.
While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset is not the ultimate flagship choice, it competently handles most mobile games. During gameplay, titles like Call of Duty: Mobile ran smoothly at ultra settings, consistently achieving frame rates around 59-61 fps. Genshin Impact displayed impressive performance as well, maintaining steady rates at high graphical settings.
Features a dual rear camera array for photography enthusiasts.
In summary, the iQOO Neo 10R excels in gaming capabilities for its price point, offering solid performance metrics with minimal issues, especially given its starting price of Rs. 26,999.
| Benchmarks | iQOO Neo 10R | iQOO Neo 9 Pro | Poco F6 | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Display resolution | 1.5K | 1.5K | 1.5K | FHD+ |
| AnTuTu v10 | 14,91,562 | 15,85,868 | 14,57,491 | 8,04,179 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 12,072 | 13,319 | 15,743 | 13,554 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,927 | 2,050 | 1,835 | 1,158 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 5,047 | 5,741 | 4,693 | 3,255 |
| GFXB T-rex | 121 | 120 | 120 | 60 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 114 | 119 | 112 | 55 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 71 | 85 | 71 | 28 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | 5,481 | 5,485 |
| 3DM Slingshot | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | 4,655 | 6,954 |
| 3DM Wild Life | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | Maxed Out | 3,988 |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | 7,797 | 12,789 | 11,734 | 4,175 |
iQOO Neo 10R Cameras: Room for Improvement
- Primary camera – 50-megapixel, f/1.79, OIS, AF
- Ultrawide camera – 8-megapixel, f/2.2, FF
- Selfie camera – 32-megapixel, f/2.4, FF
For context, comparisons to the Nothing Phone 3a provide insight into where the iQOO Neo 10R stands within its pricing tier.
The Nothing Phone 3a’s primary camera performs better in daylight comparisons.
Color consistency raises concerns across both rear-facing cameras and the primary sensor alone. In the Natural color mode, the primary camera exhibits muted colors compared to the ultrawide camera, which retains a more authentic palette. Additionally, close-up shots captured by the primary sensor may appear artificially enhanced, affecting hues inconsistently.
The Nothing Phone 3a captures colors better in close-up photography.
Despite improving overall emotional impact, the post-processing applied to primary camera photos often compromises detail, exhibiting softness, especially at the edges of images.
In low-light scenarios, the iQOO Neo 10R’s camera struggles, producing soft, low-detail images.
The ultrawide camera also underwhelms, producing soft images that lack detail and exhibit noticeable color fringing in bright settings.
When capturing nighttime images, the iQOO Neo 10R struggles to compete with the quality of the Nothing Phone 3a.
Selfie portrait mode provides acceptable edge detection, though fine details appear somewhat lacking, with both daytime and low-light selfies exhibiting over-processing and soft details.
Daylight video captures are impressive, offering smooth frame rates and accurate colors at 1080p. While 4K recordings provide enhanced quality, they are only available with the primary camera and may appear cropped. In low-light conditions, video quality deteriorates significantly.
iQOO Neo 10R Battery: Exceptional Longevity
- Battery capacity – 6,400mAh
- Wired charging – 80W
- Charger in the box – Yes
The iQOO Neo 10R features an impressive 6,400mAh battery that offers extended usage, lasting over a day even under heavy workloads. Casual users may find it lasts more than 1.5 days. During our video looping test, the phone performed excellently, lasting nearly 35 hours continuously.
The high-capacity 6,400mAh battery charges efficiently with the supplied charger.
Charging times are notably quick, reaching 26 percent in just 15 minutes, hitting 55 percent in 30 minutes, and fully charging in just over an hour—1 hour and 3 minutes exactly.
iQOO Neo 10R Verdict
The iQOO Neo 10R impresses consumers with its competitive pricing and robust software, gaming, battery life, and charging features. However, its camera capabilities leave something to be desired.
In contrast, the Nothing Phone 3a shines with its superior camera performance and is less expensive, making it a worthy rival despite its lack of focus on gaming excellence.
The Poco F6, priced lower than the Neo 10R, also provides decent camera performance, though it cannot match the charging speeds or battery longevity of the Neo 10R.
For those willing to increase their budget by approximately Rs. 5,000, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro offers a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, superior camera features, and enhanced build quality, including a vegan-leather finish. While its battery performance is excellent, it does not surpass that of the Neo 10R. For those who can stretch their budget, opting for the Neo 9 Pro would be a prudent choice.
