While many Chinese smartphone brands flood the Indian market with frequent launches, iQOO has adopted a more measured approach. The iQOO Neo 10R arrives a year after the Neo 9 Pro, which earned the title of “flagship killer” for its exceptional performance, impressive cameras, blazing-fast charging, and unbeatable value. The Neo 10R has big shoes to fill, but at first glance, the upgrades seem modest. Let’s dive deeper to see what’s new.
Design: A Fresh Yet Confusing Aesthetic
The iQOO Neo 10R retains the same overall design as its predecessor but ditches the polarizing dual-tone vegan leather back for something less flashy—yet equally perplexing. Our review unit came in the Raging Blue finish, clearly targeting the youth and gaming community. However, the dual-tone rear panel features a pixelated gradient transitioning from white to lavender, making the iQOO and “NEO Power to Win” branding nearly invisible unless viewed at specific angles. It’s a puzzling design choice, to say the least.
For those who prefer a more understated look, the MoonKnight Titanium variant offers a sleek, iPhone 15 Pro-like Titanium Grey finish. Despite its premium appearance, the phone uses a polycarbonate frame and back to keep the weight manageable and costs down. At 196 grams and a slim 7.9mm profile, the Neo 10R impressively houses a massive 6,400mAh battery and boasts an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance.
Display: Familiar Yet Reliable
The iQOO Neo 10R retains the same 6.7-inch AMOLED display as its predecessor, offering a 120Hz refresh rate and a 300Hz touch sampling rate for smooth gaming experiences. Thankfully, iQOO has stuck with a flat panel, which remains practical and user-friendly, avoiding the unnecessary complexity of curved displays.
Performance: A Step Up with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Under the hood, the iQOO Neo 10R gets a significant upgrade with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, replacing last year’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. This ensures top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking. The phone comes in two configurations:
- 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM
- 128GB or 256GB of UFS 3.1 or UFS 4.1 storage
These specs position the Neo 10R as a strong contender in the mid-range segment, capable of handling demanding apps and games with ease. For more details on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, check out Qualcomm’s official page.
Battery and Charging: Bigger Capacity, Slightly Slower Charging
One of the standout upgrades is the 6,400mAh battery, which uses advanced silicon carbon technology to pack more power without increasing the phone’s size or weight. While the battery capacity has increased, the charging speed has been dialed back from 120W to 80W wired charging. This trade-off ensures longer battery life while still offering fast charging capabilities. For more on battery technology, visit Battery University.
Cameras: New Sensors, Familiar Setup
The camera setup appears similar to the previous model but features upgraded sensors:
- 50MP primary camera (Sony IMX882) with OIS for sharper, stabilized shots.
- 8MP ultrawide camera (Galaxy Core GC08A3-WA1XA) for expansive landscapes.
- 32MP selfie camera (Galaxy Core GC32E1-WA1XA) for detailed selfies and video calls.
While the hardware has improved, we’ll reserve judgment on camera performance until we’ve tested it thoroughly. For more on Sony’s IMX882 sensor, check out Sony’s official website.
Software: Funtouch OS 15 with AI Enhancements
The iQOO Neo 10R runs on Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15. The software continues to prioritize customization but now includes native AI tools, which promise to enhance user experience. We’re excited to test these features and see how they stack up against the competition. Learn more about Android 15 on Google’s Android Developer page.
Price and Competition
Priced starting at ₹26,999 for the base 8GB + 128GB variant, the iQOO Neo 10R enters a fiercely competitive mid-range segment. It will go head-to-head with recent launches like the Nothing Phone 3a and established players like the Poco F6 and OnePlus Nord CE 4. Whether it can live up to its “flagship killer” reputation remains to be seen, but the specs and pricing make it a compelling option.
Final Thoughts
The iQOO Neo 10R brings subtle yet meaningful upgrades, including a powerful new chipset, a larger battery, and refined cameras. While the design may polarize opinions, the phone’s performance and features make it a strong contender in its price range. Stay tuned for our detailed review to see if the Neo 10R can truly claim the “flagship killer” crown.
If you’re unsure whether the Neo 10R is right for you, check out our guide to the best mid-range smartphones
What do you think of the iQOO Neo 10R? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Priyanshu Raj, I have worked in social media and content writing for many years. I have also worked in WordPress website development. I am very interested in technology, especially smartphones and AI, so I created this website.
