In an already competitive mid-range smartphone space, iQOO continues to sharpen its identity with performance-first phones that blend power with finesse. Just a few months after launching the iQOO Neo 10R, the brand is back with the iQOO Neo 10 — and naturally, the big question is: what’s new? The answer lies in a powerful upgrade that includes the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a massive 7,000 mAh battery, a 120 W fast charging, and a refined AI-powered experience, all while maintaining an aggressive under-35K price tag. Building on the momentum of the Neo series, the Neo 10 promises to push boundaries and deliver more muscle, endurance, and smarts than its predecessor, so let’s dive in and see how well it delivers.
Design
The iQOO Neo 10 arrives in an eye-catching Inferno Red variant — a bold design choice that shares a striking resemblance to the Neo 10R. From the back, the resemblance is so close that most people will struggle to tell the difference between the two. However, the Neo 10 feels noticeably heavier in hand — a possible trade-off for the larger 7,000 mAh battery tucked inside. The rectangular camera island, housing dual lenses, syncs visually with the deep red hue of the body. The matte finish and symmetrical layout offer a clean and confident design language.
The build quality feels sturdy with a subtle premium touch. The thin bezels up front, a centered punch-hole camera, and the optical under-display fingerprint scanner add to the modern smartphone aesthetic. The right side of the device houses the power button and volume rockers, while the bottom panel sports the SIM tray, a USB-C port, and a speaker grille. On top, you’ll find the secondary mic, contributing to noise cancellation. In terms of durability, the phone carries an IP65 certification, protecting it from dust and water splashes — a small yet meaningful upgrade from many devices in this segment.
Overall, the Neo 10 doesn’t reinvent iQOO’s design language but refines it with premium materials and practical ergonomics. While it’s not the lightest phone around, the blend of aesthetics and utility is commendable.
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Display
The Neo 10 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (2800×1260) and a 144 Hz refresh rate, optimised for smooth gaming and daily usage. On paper, this is a highly competitive panel, and in actual use, it shines bright — literally. It boasts a 2,000-nit high brightness mode and a local peak brightness of 5,500 nits, making it ideal for outdoor use. Whether you’re scrolling through social media or watching HDR content, the visuals remain crisp and vibrant.
What enhances the experience further is the 3000 Hz instant touch sampling rate, providing ultra-responsive feedback during intense gaming sessions. It supports SGS Five-Star Sunlight Display Certification, ensuring eye comfort and visibility in challenging lighting conditions. Compared to the Realme GT 7, which also offers a similar 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with 6,000 nits peak brightness, the Neo 10 holds its own with equally impressive numbers. Against the Neo 10R, it edges ahead in responsiveness and viewing angles, making this display ideal for gamers and multimedia users alike.
OS and AI
Running on Android 15 with Funtouch OS, the iQOO Neo 10 offers a smooth, minimalistic software experience that feels responsive and polished. Funtouch OS has evolved significantly, offering fewer bloatware interruptions and a streamlined interface with efficient navigation. There’s a noticeable focus on seamless interactions and refined aesthetics, aligning the Neo 10 with newer software standards.
The real star of the show is the AI integration. With features like Circle to Search, AI Image Expander, Live Call Translation, AI Cut Out, and AI Note Assist, the Neo 10 brings productivity tools previously reserved for high-end flagships. These additions not only make everyday use smarter but also create an ecosystem where information and content become more interactive and accessible.
Performance
The latest iQOO Neo 10 is powered by the 3.21GHz Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a flagship-grade processor built for heavy workloads and gaming. Our review unit came with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage, the top-tier variant, and it didn’t disappoint in any aspect. The phone glides through multitasking, high-resolution video playback, and heavy gaming with ease. Performance is consistently smooth and thermally stable, thanks to the Supercomputing Q1 chip and 7K Ultra VC cooling system, which includes graphite films, thermal gel, and a vapour chamber covering 27,000 mm².
In benchmark tests, the iQOO Neo 10 scored 2121 (single-core) and 7032 (multi-core) on Geekbench. Its AnTuTu score stands at 2,084,242, with a GPU score of 14,137. These scores place it in the same performance bracket as the Realme GT 7, which achieved 2187 (single-core), 7278 (multi-core), and an AnTuTu score of 2,055,848. The difference is marginal, showing just how closely the Neo 10 shadows Realme’s latest flagship in raw power.
Gaming is a forte here. I tested BGMI at 144fps, and the experience was nothing short of flawless — no stutters, throttling, or heating. The All-Scenario Fast Engine and Super Gyroscope ensure minimal input latency and perfect touch response, positioning the Neo 10 as a gaming beast, much like the Realme GT series. But in real-world usage, both devices perform neck and neck.
Camera
On the rear, the iQOO Neo 10 sports a 50 MP Sony portrait sensor (f/1.79) paired with an 8 MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.2). For selfies, it has a 32 MP front camera with an f/2.45 aperture. While the Neo series typically leans towards performance, iQOO has ensured the photography game is not an afterthought.
iQOO Neo 10 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
In daylight, the main 50 MP sensor captures sharp and detailed images with vibrant colour reproduction and accurate white balance. The HDR kicks in well when required, and the new NICE algorithm helps enhance detail by performing computational deblurring, making even casual shots look refined. Compared to the iQOO Neo 10R, the Neo 10 delivers better contrast and edge clarity, especially in portraits.
iQOO Neo 10 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Portrait mode is particularly impressive. It nails edge detection with soft yet realistic bokeh, ideal for both human and object shots. The skin tones come out naturally, and facial detail retention is high even under harsh lighting. The Realme GT 7, with its Sony IMX906 sensor and 50 MP telephoto, has more versatility, but the Neo 10 offers strong competition in quality.
iQOO Neo 10 camera sample
| Photo Credit:
Haider Ali Khan
Night photography on the Neo 10 benefits significantly from the dedicated Night Mode. The results show well-balanced exposure, minimal noise, and commendable detail in shadows. We recommend toggling Night Mode manually for the best outcomes. In low-light indoor scenarios, the sensor still holds up with clarity and controlled highlights.
Selfie performance is also worth mentioning. The 32 MP front camera delivers crisp and accurate selfies, both in daylight and dim conditions. Skin smoothening is kept in check, making it suitable for professional or casual social sharing alike.
Battery
The iQOO Neo 10 is backed by a massive 7,000 mAh battery, the same capacity as the Realme GT 7. This battery size translates to phenomenal endurance, easily getting you through 1.5 to 2 days of regular use, even with heavy gaming and streaming thrown in.
Paired with a 120 W fast charging, the Neo 10 goes from 0 to 50% in around 15 minutes, and a full charge takes roughly 40–45 minutes. This is on par with the Realme GT 7, which also offers the same fast-charging capability. Compared to the Neo 10R, which features a smaller battery and slower charging, the Neo 10 emerges as a significant upgrade in battery performance and longevity.
Verdict
Starting at ₹31,999, the iQOO Neo 10 boldly enters the under-35K segment with specs that flirt with phones priced between ₹40,000–₹50,000. It offers top-tier performance, a large battery, smooth AI integration, and dependable cameras — all packed in a visually striking design. It’s a phone that challenges not only the Neo 10R but also competitors like the Realme GT 7.
While the Realme GT 7 may edge ahead in camera aspects and peak display brightness, the Neo 10 strikes back with an equally powerful processor, efficient thermal design, and gaming-focused hardware. For users prioritising performance, endurance, and intelligent features in a compelling package, the iQOO Neo 10 stands tall — and stands out.
Published – June 02, 2025 03:36 pm IST