📱 1. Overview & Launch Details
- Announcement & Availability:
Launched in India on March 11, 2025, with sales beginning March 18 via Amazon and the iQOO official store (gsmarena.com). - Price Tiers (India):
- 8 GB + 128 GB – ₹26,999 (~US $330)
- 8 GB + 256 GB – ₹28,999
- 12 GB + 256 GB – ₹30,999 (community.iqoo.com).

iQOO positions this device as a performance-focused mid-range, with flagship-like specs aimed at gamers and power users.
2. Design & Build Aesthetics
- Dimensions & Weight:
At 163.7 × 75.9 × 7.98 mm and weighing ~196 g, it maintains a slim and lightweight profile despite a big 6,400 mAh battery (gsmarena.com). - Materials & Finish:
Features a plastic back and frame with a rear 3D texture finish. Available in Raging Blue (dual-tone) and MoonKnight Titanium (grey) finishes (community.iqoo.com). - Durability:
IP65 rating ensures resistance to dust and low-pressure water jets (gsmarena.com). - Comfort & Practicality:
Matte/textured finish resists fingerprints and offers ergonomic comfort.
3. Display Experience
- Screen:
Huge 6.78″ 1.5K AMOLED display at 1260×2800 resolution (~452 ppi) with a rapid 144 Hz refresh rate. UI throttles to 120 Hz, but select apps/games can push 144 Hz (indiatoday.in, gsmarena.com). - Touch Sampling:
Remarkably fast at 2,000 Hz, geared for ultra-responsive gaming (gsmarena.com). - Brightness & Eye Comfort:
Peak brightness hits 4,500 nits with HDR10+, and offers a sunlight-friendly high-brightness mode (~1,800 nits). Display uses high-frequency PWM dimming (~3,840 Hz) and DC dimming to reduce eye strain (reddit.com, gsmarena.com). - Protection:
Guarded by Schott Xensation Up glass (gsmarena.com).
Verdict: A top-tier display in its price range—bright, fast-refreshing, and responsive for gaming.
4. Performance & Gaming
- Processor:
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) featuring a Cortex-X4 big core at 3.0 GHz, Adreno 735 GPU (gsmarena.com). - Memory Options:
Comes in 8 GB or 12 GB LPDDR5X RAM, with 128 GB UFS 3.1 or 256 GB UFS 4.1 storage (gsmarena.com). - Cooling System:
6,043 mm² vapor chamber designed to manage heat during long gaming sessions (community.iqoo.com). - Gaming Modes:
Equipped with Monster Mode, e‑Sports Mode, FPS meter, and Ultra Game Mode allowing stable 90 fps performance for several hours (smartprix.com). - Real-World Benchmarks:
- Scored 1.7M+ on AnTuTu (pcquest.com).
- Reddit reports of 120 fps in Call of Duty Mobile at medium+ultra, 60 fps in Genshin Impact with stable temps (~40–42°C) (reddit.com).
- Competitor Comparison:
While Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 outperforms many alternatives, some argue Dimensity 8400 offers stronger sustained GPU and AI performance (reddit.com).
Verdict: A potent gaming device delivering flagship-level performance in most scenarios, though might lag slightly under certain heavy sustained loads.
5. Camera Capabilities
- Rear Setup:
- 50 MP Sony IMX882 main sensor with OIS (1/1.95″, f/1.8)
- 8 MP ultrawide (approx. 16 mm, f/2.2) (gsmarena.com).
- Front Camera:
32 MP selfie shooter capable of 4K@60 fps (gsmarena.com). - Video:
Rear can record 4K@30/60 fps with OIS + gyro‑EIS; front supports 4K@30/60 fps (gsmarena.com). - Quality Insights:
- Strong primary camera: sharp, well-detailed, balanced HDR, stable with OIS (pcquest.com).
- Ultrawide useful but shows distortion at edges .
- Selfies are clear and dynamic (indiatoday.in).
- Some oversaturation in video; stabilisation could be smoother .
Verdict: Good imaging performance for the segment, though lacks telephoto versatility. Ideal for daily use rather than pro-level photography.
6. Battery & Charging
- Capacity:
A massive 6,400 mAh battery—the largest in its size class (gsmarena.com). - Charging:
Supports 80 W wired fast charging via USB-PD: ~50% in 25–26 min and a full charge in ~55–60 min (gsmarena.com). - Additional Features:
Bypass charging lets users game while charging without overheating (gsmarena.com). Reverse wired charging (7.5 W) is also included (gsmarena.com). - Real-World Battery Life:
- Editorji: approx. 11 hrs SOT, 2-day moderate use (reddit.com, editorji.com).
- Reddit: Optimises over ~1–2 weeks to stabilize battery performance (reddit.com).
Verdict: Exceptional run time and fast charging with longevity-friendly charging cycles.
7. Software & Updates
- Operating System:
Ships with Android 15, customized with Funtouch OS 15 (gsmarena.com). - Features:
Includes Circle to Search, AI Eraser, note translation, Ultra Game Mode, Game Space UI, etc. (indiatoday.in). - Bloatware:
Comes with pre-installed apps which cannot all be uninstalled. Many users recommend disabling them for smoother performance . - Update Commitment:
Offers 3 years OS upgrades and 4 years security patches (gsmarena.com). - User Feedback:
Mixed reactions: while reviewers appreciate the rich feature set, some Redditors have complained about software bugs, ads in system apps, excessive telemetry, and UI quirks such as motion-based (vs. physical) proximity sensors (reddit.com).
8. Pros & Cons Summary
✅ Pros
- Spectacular 144 Hz AMOLED display (4,500 nits peak, 2,000 Hz touch).
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers flagship-level performance.
- Large battery (6,400 mAh) + fast 80 W charging + bypass mode.
- Comprehensive gaming-oriented features and effective cooling.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the main camera.
- Sturdy IP65 rating, protected display glass.
- Strong OS update promise (3 major + 4 years security).
❌ Cons
- No telephoto lens and basic ultrawide; camera versatility is average.
- Plastic build may feel less premium.
- Software contains bloat, ads, and occasional bugs.
- Possible thermal throttling under extended heavy load.
- Lacks NFC and Wi-Fi 7 (though supports Wi‑Fi 6) (pcquest.com, gsmarena.com, community.iqoo.com, gsmarena.com, reddit.com, reddit.com).
- Uses a virtual proximity sensor, not physical (reddit.com).
9. Versus Alternatives
Feature | iQOO Neo 10R | OnePlus 12R | Redmi K70 |
---|---|---|---|
Chipset | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Dimensity 8300 Ultra |
Display | 6.78″ 144 Hz AMOLED | 6.78″ 120 Hz AMOLED | 6.67″ 120 Hz AMOLED |
Battery / Charging | 6,400 mAh / 80 W | 5,500 mAh / 100 W | 5,000 mAh / 90 W |
Cameras | 50 MP+8 MP / 32 MP selfie | 50 MP+8 MP+2 MP / 16 MP selfie | 50 MP+12 MP+2 MP / 20 MP selfie |
Price (base variant) | ₹26.9 k | ₹39.9 k | ₹29.9 k |
- The Neo 10R offers better display and battery value at a lower price but might trail competitors in premium feel, camera versatility, and fastest charging.
- Dimensity 8400 chipsets (e.g., in Redmi) may deliver stronger GPU and AI efficiency (reddit.com, pcquest.com, reddit.com, gsmarena.com, reddit.com).
10. Real-World User Impressions
🔥 Performance & Thermal Behaviour
From r/GadgetsIndia:
“Tried some games… CODM (med+ultra) – constant 120/90 fps with no stutters, max temps 40°… Genshin…60 fps, temps at 42°” (reddit.com)
User complaints include:
“My iqoo neo 10r battery is draining very fast… It takes a week or two for the battery to optimize… gets optimized automatically as days pass” (reddit.com)
Also:
“Motion based proximity sensor… virtual, no physical sensor” (reddit.com)
💻 Software Experience
A Reddit user shared frustrations:
“Hardware is as good as horrible is the software… bloatware, bad UX… lots of telemetry… worst customer service” (reddit.com).
These real-world insights highlight that while performance is strong, software polish and support can still be improved.
11. Who Should Buy This?
Ideal for:
- Gamers seeking high refresh rate, superior touch response, and sustained performance.
- Power users needing long battery life and fast charging.
- Those wanting flagship-grade internals on a mid-range budget (~₹27–31 k).
Consider alternatives if you care about:
- Camera versatility (telephoto, pro-level processing).
- Premium build materials (glass/metal).
- Bloatware-free software or guaranteed physical sensors (NFC, proximity).
📝 Final Verdict
The iQOO Neo 10R 5G stands out as one of the most compelling mid-range smartphones in 2025, delivering:
- Flagship-level performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and 144 Hz AMOLED screen.
- Exceptional battery capacity and fast charging.
- Solid gaming features like high touch sampling, vapor chamber, and game modes.
However, it does come with typical trade-offs: a basic camera setup, plastic build, and Funtouch OS that has room for improvement. For performance-focused users and gamers, it’s a powerhouse at this price. But those who prioritize camera capabilities, software refinement, or premium design may find better fits among competing devices.