I just got my hands on the new iQOO Neo 10R yesterday, and honestly, I’m blown away. This thing packs some serious punch for a mid-ranger. If you’re like me and can’t justify dropping a grand on the latest flagship but still want something that can handle intense gaming sessions, this might be exactly what you’re looking for.
Quick Take
The Neo 10R is iQOO’s latest stab at the mid-range market, and it’s focused on what matters to gamers. The standout features? A monster 6400mAh battery, Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip, and a super smooth 144Hz display. Oh, and it starts at just ₹26,999 (about $325).
The Basics
Before diving into my experience, here’s what you get:
- Brain: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (the slightly trimmed down version of Qualcomm’s flagship chip)
- Screen: 6.78″ AMOLED that gets ridiculously bright (4500 nits peak) with a 144Hz refresh rate
- Cameras: 50MP main camera with OIS + 8MP ultrawide on the back, 32MP selfie cam
- Battery: Massive 6400mAh with 80W fast charging
- Software: Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15 (iQOO promises 3 years of OS updates)
- Extras: Big vapor chamber cooling, weird but cool “bypass charging” for gaming
Look and Feel
The Neo 10R comes in two colors – I got the “Raging Blue” which has this racing-inspired finish that catches the light in a really cool way. There’s also a “MoonKnight Titanium” option that I saw in the store that looks pretty slick too.
For a phone with such a massive battery, it’s surprisingly manageable – 7.98mm thick and weighs 196g. Not the lightest phone out there, but definitely not a brick. The plastic back feels decent enough, though obviously not as premium as glass. The front is protected by Schott Xensation Up glass, which I’ve already accidentally dropped once with no damage (don’t tell iQOO).
That Screen Though
The display is honestly better than it has any right to be at this price point. The 6.78″ AMOLED gets absurdly bright – I had no trouble using it in direct sunlight yesterday. Colors pop, blacks are inky deep, and everything looks sharp, thanks to the 1260 x 2800 resolution.
But the real star is the 144Hz refresh rate. If you’ve never used a high refresh rate phone before, you’re in for a treat. Everything from scrolling through Instagram to playing games just feels buttery smooth. There’s also a 2000Hz touch sampling rate, which basically means the screen registers your taps almost instantly – crucial for gaming.
Performance: This Thing Flies
I’ve been playing BGMI (India’s version of PUBG) cranked up to 90fps, and the Neo 10R handles it like a champ. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is no joke – it’s essentially a slightly downclocked version of the chip you’d find in phones twice the price.
AnTuTu scores? This thing hits over 1.7 million points. For reference, flagships from just a year ago were struggling to break 1.5 million.
What’s really impressive is how cool it stays. iQOO is packed in a massive 6043mm² vapor chamber cooling system, and it shows. Even after an hour-long gaming session, the phone gets warm but never uncomfortably hot. I’m guessing this is partly due to the plastic back, which doesn’t conduct heat as well as glass.
I went with the 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model (₹30,999), and I’d recommend spending the extra cash if you can. The base model’s UFS 3.1 storage is fine, but the UFS 4.1 in the higher models gives you noticeably faster app loading and file transfers.
Camera: Good, Not Great
Let’s be real – you’re not buying this phone for the camera. That said, the 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor with OIS takes surprisingly decent shots in good lighting. The colors are punchy without being oversaturated, and there’s a good amount of detail.
Low light is where you start to see the limitations. It’s not terrible by any means, but you’ll notice some softness and noise creeping in. The 8MP ultrawide is… well, it’s there when you need it. Don’t expect miracles.
The 32MP selfie cam is actually pretty solid. I’m not much of a selfie person, but the few I’ve taken look sharp with good skin tones.
Battery Life: Absolute Unit
This is where the Neo 10R really shines. The 6400mAh battery is just massive for a phone this size. I’m a heavy user – lots of gaming, constant social media, YouTube, etc. – and I still ended the day with around 40% left. Light users could easily stretch this to two full days.
When you do need to charge, the 80W FlashCharge is impressively fast. From dead to 50% takes about 25 minutes, with a full charge in just under an hour. There’s also 7.5W reverse charging, which is handy for topping up wireless earbuds in a pinch.
One cool gaming feature is “bypass charging” – basically when plugged in, the phone can run directly off the charger rather than the battery. This reduces heat and battery wear during long gaming sessions. Neat trick!
Software: Not Bad, Not Great
Funtouch OS 15 (based on Android 15) is… fine? It’s definitely calmed down from the iOS clone it used to be, but there’s still quite a bit of bloatware out of the box. I spent my first 15 minutes uninstalling apps I’ll never use.
That said, there are some genuinely useful features hidden in there. The gaming toolkit is solid, with an FPS counter, notification blocking, and performance modes. I also like the “AI Image Lab,” which does a decent job enhancing photos.
iQOO promises 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches, which is pretty standard these days but still good to see.
Pricing & Where to Buy It
So what’s the damage to your wallet? The iQOO Neo 10R lineup breaks down like this:
- The base 8GB+128GB version will set you back ₹26,999
- Need more storage? The 8GB+256GB costs ₹28,999
- Power users should check out the 12GB+256GB at ₹30,999
The actual sales kick off on March 18th if you want to check it out in stores first. Also, you can book your device on the link Prebook
The Nitty Gritty Details
For those who want the full spec sheet:
| Feature | Specs |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.9 x 7.98 mm |
| Weight | 196g |
| Display | 6.78″ AMOLED, 1260 x 2800, 144Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| CPU Cores | 1×3.0GHz Cortex-X4 + 4×2.8GHz Cortex-A720 + 3×2.0GHz Cortex-A520 |
| GPU | Adreno 735 |
| RAM/Storage | 8/12GB LPDDR5X + 128GB UFS 3.1 / 256GB UFS 4.1 |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP f/1.79 OIS + 8MP f/2.2 ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 32MP f/2.45 |
| Battery | 6400mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired, 7.5W reverse |
| OS | Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15 |
| Water/Dust | IP65 (splash resistant) |
| Connectivity | 5G, WiFi 6/6E, BT 5.4, USB-C 2.0 |
| Colors | Raging Blue, MoonKnight Titanium |
| Launch Date | March 11, 2025 |
| Price | ₹26,999 (8+128GB), ₹28,999 (8+256GB), ₹30,999 (12+256GB) |
What’s Missing?
A few features you won’t find here:
- No NFC (seriously, why do manufacturers still skip this?)
- No wireless charging
- No expandable storage
- No 3.5mm headphone jack (RIP)
- No fancy flagship camera features like a telephoto.
The Verdict
Look, the iQOO Neo 10R isn’t perfect. The camera is just okay, there’s no NFC, and the build quality won’t wow anyone. But that’s not the point.
This phone nails what matters to gamers and power users – raw performance, display quality, and battery life. And it does all this at a price point that’s genuinely impressive.
If you’re a mobile gaming enthusiast who doesn’t want to drop flagship money or just someone who wants a phone that won’t die halfway through the day, the Neo 10R is a no-brainer. It punches well above its weight class, and I’m honestly impressed with what iQOO has managed to pack in for under ₹31,000.
The Neo 10R hits stores on March 18th, with pre-orders open now. There are some decent launch offers too – exchange bonuses and bank cashbacks that can knock the price down even further.
Has anyone else picked one up? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A56 Review