iQOO Neo 10R 5G – The Ultimate Powerhouse with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 & 6400mAh Battery
Introduction
iQOO Neo 10R 5G launched in 2015 as a mid-range device but promised flagship like performance and battery life, and gaming ability on top of a starting price of ₹24,999 (correct). It came with Qualcomm’s current Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, an AMOLED display, and a massive 6,400mAh battery. It is geared towards mobile gamers, but does it live up to the number claim? Let’s find out.
Design & Build: Functional but Not Flamboyant – iQOO Neo 10R 5G
The Neo 10R boasts a sleek, minimalist design that really emphasizes practicality. You can choose between Raging Blue and MoonKnight Titanium, and the polycarbonate back features a stylish dual-tone finish (especially on the Raging Blue model) with a textured surface that helps keep fingerprints at bay. That said, the plastic body can feel a bit slippery, and while it has an IP65 rating for dust and splash resistance, it falls short of the IP68 rating found in more expensive competitors.
Dimensions come in at 163.7 x 75.9 x 8 mm, weighing in at 196g, which is pretty manageable for a phone packing such a hefty battery.
The display is a stunning near-bezel-less 6.78-inch AMOLED screen, complete with a centered punch-hole for the front camera.
For durability, the screen is protected by Schott Xensation Up glass, although some reviewers have pointed out that it can be prone to scratches if you don’t use a screen protector.
While the design might not be the most eye-catching, it definitely prioritizes functionality over flashiness, making it a great choice for those who appreciate substance over style.
Display: Smooth, Bright, and Immersive – iQOO Neo 10R 5G
The Neo 10R boasts an impressive 6.78-inch AMOLED display that really stands out:
Resolution: With a sharp 1.5K (1260 x 2800 pixels) and 452 PPI, everything from text to visuals looks crystal clear.
Refresh Rate: It features an adaptive 144Hz refresh rate that can scale down to 60Hz for better efficiency, ensuring smooth scrolling and gaming experiences.
Brightness: You won’t believe the peak brightness of 4,500 nits (1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode), which means you can easily see the screen even in bright sunlight.
Color Accuracy: It supports a whopping 1.07 billion colors and HDR10+, making your streaming and gaming sessions truly vibrant.
Eye Comfort: Thanks to 3,840Hz PWM dimming, flicker is reduced in low light, and with DC dimming, your eyes will feel less strain.
Gamers will love the 2000Hz instant touch sampling rate, which cuts down on input lag during those intense gaming moments.
Performance: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Shines – iQOO Neo 10R 5G
At its At the heart of this device is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a cutting-edge 4nm chipset that aims to seamlessly blend flagship and mid-tier performance.
CPU: It features 1 Cortex-X4 core running at 3.0GHz, 4 Cortex-A720 cores at 2.8GHz, and 3 Cortex-A520 cores clocked at 2.0GHz.
GPU: The Adreno 735 comes equipped with hardware-accelerated ray tracing, although it doesn’t quite match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s capabilities with Unreal Engine 5.
RAM/Storage: You get 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which can be virtually expanded to 16GB, along with 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage (the 256GB version offers faster UFS 4.1).
Benchmark Scores:
AnTuTu v10: Approximately 1.49 million.
Geekbench 6: 1,940 for single-core and 5,032 for multi-core.
Real-World Performance:
Gaming: It effortlessly runs BGMI at 90fps and Genshin Impact at 60fps on high settings without any throttling, thanks to its impressive 6,043mm² vapor chamber cooling system. During long gaming sessions, temperatures can reach up to 44°C.
Multitasking: The option to expand to 12GB of RAM ensures smooth app transitions, but for those who really push their devices, the 12GB+256GB model might be the better choice for future-proofing.core lies the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a 4nm chipset designed to bridge the gap between flagship and mid-tier performance.
Battery & Charging: Two-Day Endurance -iQOO Neo 10R 5G
The 6,400mAh battery is truly a game-changer: Screen-on Time: You can expect around 8 hours with a mix of activities like gaming, streaming, and browsing. Charging: With 80W FlashCharge, you can get 50% battery in just 26 minutes and a full charge in 55 minutes. Plus, the 7.5W reverse charging feature is perfect for quickly powering up your accessories when you need it. Bypass Charging allows you to power the device directly while gaming, which helps keep things cool and maintains battery health—definitely a lifesaver for those long gaming sessions!
Cameras: Decent but Inconsistent – iQOO Neo 10R 5G
The camera setup on the Neo 10R is decent, but it doesn’t quite blow you away:
Rear Cameras:
- 50MP Sony IMX882 (OIS, f/1.79): It takes sharp, vibrant shots in good lighting with a nice dynamic range. But when the lights go down, you might notice some overprocessing and noise sneaking in.
- 8MP Ultrawide (f/2.2): This one has a tough time capturing detail and tends to shift colors under artificial lighting.
Front Camera: The 32MP (f/2.45) does a great job with selfies in bright conditions, but it can make skin tones look overly bright in lower light.
Video Capabilities:
- Rear: You can shoot in 4K at 60fps with OIS stabilization, though it crops a bit in ultra-stable mode.
- Front: It offers 4K at 30fps, which is pretty rare for this price range.
The camera app does come with some AI features like Photo Enhance and AI Eraser, but for those who are really into photography, the results might not stack up against the flagship models.
Software: Funtouch OS 15 with Long-Term Support – iQOO Neo 10R 5G
Running Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15, the Neo 10R brings a lot to the table: Customization: Enjoy themed icons, vibrant live wallpapers, and some neat tweaks for the Always-On Display. AI Tools: Features like Circle to Search, AI Note Assist, and handy document scanning make life easier. Gaming Features: Experience 4D vibration, a voice changer, and an in-game FPS monitor for a more immersive gaming experience. Update Policy: With 3 OS updates and 4 years of security patches, it shows a solid commitment for a mid-range device. Bloatware: While you can uninstall pre-installed apps like Netflix and LinkedIn, the iQOO browser sticks around.
Audio & Connectivity
Speakers: The dual stereo speakers deliver clear sound, but don’t expect much in the way of bass. Connectivity: You’ve got Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and support for 12 5G bands, including n77/n78 for Jio and Airtel. However, it’s worth noting that NFC and wireless charging are missing. IR Blaster: You can control your ACs, TVs, and more using the Smart Remote app.
Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
Pros:
- Top-notch performance for gaming.
- Outstanding battery life.
- Stunning 144Hz AMOLED display.
- Software support that’s built to last.
Cons:
- Cameras struggle in low-light conditions.
- The plastic build gives off a budget vibe.
- Lacks NFC and wireless charging options.
The iQOO Neo 10R 5G stands out as a fantastic gaming and productivity device for under ₹30,000. If you value battery life, display quality, and sheer power over camera capabilities, this is an excellent pick. However, if photography is your passion, you might want to check out the Nothing Phone 3a or the Pixel 7a.
Rating: 4/5
Would you buy it? Let us know in the comments! 🚀