iQOO Neo 10R Review: A performance-oriented smartphone

Just when you think the mid-range segment has reached its peak, iQOO shakes things up yet again. The company has introduced the latest iQOO Neo 10R, bringing top-tier performance to an aggressive price point. Starting at ₹26,999, the smartphone features the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, one of the fastest processors in this segment. To ensure smooth and sustained performance, iQOO has equipped the Neo 10R with a massive 6,400 mAh battery. But there’s more to this device than just raw power. Let’s dive into the detailed review of the iQOO Neo 10R.

Design

The iQOO Neo 10R carries a distinctive rear design that certainly catches the attention. While some might appreciate its bold aesthetics, I found it to be slightly underwhelming in terms of visual appeal. However, it does stand out, especially when used outdoors. The smartphone features a lightweight build, making it easy to handle despite its powerful internals. The body material feels sturdy, though it lacks a premium touch compared to some rivals. The phone comes in two striking colour variants: MoonKnight Titanium, which features a distinctive 3D moon texture with a titanium finish, and Raging Blue (review variant), which sports a dual-tone racing track-inspired pixel texture.

iQOO has ensured that the phone comes with IP65 certification, making it resistant to dust and minor water splashes. The rear module follows a squared design language, housing the camera sensors neatly. The ports and buttons are well-placed, with the power and volume rockers offering decent tactile feedback. It also includes an IR Blaster for added functionality.

Display

The iQOO Neo 10R sports a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and a responsive experience. The 2400 x 1080 resolution delivers sharp visuals, while the local peak brightness of 4,500 nits makes outdoor visibility excellent. The display also boasts a 93.4% screen-to-body ratio for an immersive viewing experience.

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It supports HDR10+ and a 10-bit colour display, providing enhanced contrast and richer colours when streaming high-quality content. Additionally, the 3840 Hz PWM dimming ensures comfortable viewing, even in low-light environments. With an ultra-fast 2000 Hz instant touch sampling rate, the phone is a delight for gamers who need quick responsiveness. Users will enjoy a fluid experience, whether gaming, watching videos, or simply browsing.

OS and AI

Running on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, the iQOO Neo 10R delivers a refined software experience. The UI is feature-rich yet optimised, ensuring smooth daily operations. iQOO promises extended software support with three years of major Android updates and four years of security patches, making it a reliable long-term choice. The device also hosts several AI features as well like Live Cutout, Circle to Search, AI Photo Enhance, AI Erase and AI Super Documents.

Performance

The iQOO Neo 10R is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, making it one of the fastest phones in its segment. Coupled with up to 12 GB LPDDR5x RAM and 256 GB UFS 4.1 storage, the phone handles multitasking effortlessly. Whether switching between heavy apps or running multiple tasks, the device remains consistently smooth.

For gaming enthusiasts, the Adreno 735 GPU (1100 MHz) ensures top-tier performance. The phone easily maintains 90FPS in demanding titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile. The 6043mm² vapour chamber cooling system helps keep thermals in check, preventing throttling even during extended gaming sessions. iQOO claims a 200% global cooling performance improvement compared to previous generations.

On Geekbench, the iQOO Neo 10R scores 1881 (single-core) and 4845 (multi-core), surpassing competitors like the Nothing Phone 3a Pro, Motorola Edge 50 Pro, and Vivo V50. The GPU score of 9327 further solidifies its position as a performance beast.

Camera

The camera performance on the iQOO Neo 10R is impressive, exceeding our expectations in clarity and detail. The rear setup features a 50 MP primary sensor with OIS and an 8 MP ultrawide lens, delivering sharp and vibrant images.

iQOO Neo 10R camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan

Daylight shots capture excellent dynamic range and accurate colours, making outdoor photography a delight. The ultra-wide lens offers a decent field of view, though minor distortions are noticeable at the edges.

iQOO Neo 10R camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan

Portrait mode is another strong suit, offering natural edge detection and balanced background blur. Skin tones remain accurate, and the AI processing ensures that the details are well-preserved.

iQOO Neo 10R camera sample | Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan

Night photography also sees an improvement with the dedicated Night Mode. The phone handles low-light conditions well, reducing noise while maintaining clarity. The OIS helps in stabilizing shots, resulting in brighter and sharper images even in challenging environments.

The 32 MP front camera delivers crisp selfies with good colour reproduction. HDR ensures balanced exposures, making the selfies look natural. Overall, the camera setup is well-rounded and performs admirably in most conditions.

Battery

The battery life on the iQOO Neo 10R is another highlight. With a 6,400 mAh battery, the phone easily lasts a full day even with heavy usage. Whether gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the device maintains impressive longevity.

Supporting 80 W FlashCharge, the phone reaches 100% in 55-60 minutes. Additionally, 7.5W reverse charging allows users to charge other devices in emergencies. iQOO claims that the battery retains over 80% health even after five years of daily charging, making it a long-lasting investment.

Verdict

The iQOO Neo 10R is a powerhouse in every aspect. From its fast Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor to its smooth 120 Hz AMOLED display and a massive 6,400 mAh battery, the phone delivers a well-balanced experience.

For those seeking a performance-oriented smartphone with flagship-grade features at a mid-range price, the iQOO Neo 10R stands out as a top contender. Whether you are a gamer, a content consumer, or a power user, this device ticks all the right boxes.