iQOO has built a strong reputation for delivering performance-centric smartphones, which are especially favored by gamers and power users. To expand this further, iQOO is introducing its first-ever ‘R’ series smartphone in India—the iQOO Neo 10R.
IQOO Neo 10R
Rs 26,999
What Is Good?
- Great performance
- Excellent gaming experience
- Impressive battery life
- Vibrant and sharp display
- Good value for money
What Is Bad?
- Bloatware and spam in UI
During our conversation with iQOO’s CEO, Nipun Marya, he emphasised that the Neo 10R marks a significant milestone for the company as it expands its popular Neo series to a more affordable segment. Known for offering exceptional e-sports-level performance, the Neo series has always resonated with users seeking high performance without breaking the bank. The big question is — does it deliver on that promise? We put the iQOO Neo 10R to the test to find out.
Pricing and Availability
The iQOO Neo 10R will be available starting at Rs 26,999. Buyers can also take advantage of introductory offers for a Rs 2,000 discount.
| Smartphone | Variant | Price |
| iQOO Neo 10R | 8GB+128GB | Rs 26,999 (Rs 24,999 after discount) |
| 8GB+256GB | Rs 28,999 (Rs 26,999 after discount) | |
| 12GB+256GB | Rs 30,999 (Rs 28,999 after discount) |
Design and Display
The iQOO Neo 10R takes a slightly different design approach compared to earlier iQOO devices, striking a balance between sporty aesthetics and a premium finish. While earlier models like the iQOO Neo 9 Pro leaned heavily towards a bold, flashy design with vibrant color accents and textured finishes, the Neo 10R opts for a more refined two-tone back panel. This subtle shift makes the phone look cleaner and more premium, although the large “Neo: Power to Win” text on the rear still feels a bit overdone, echoing the loud gamer-centric branding from past models.
| Design | Specifications |
| Weight | 196 grams |
| Thickness | 7.98mm |
| Colours | Raging Blue, MoonKnight Titanium |
| IP Rating | IP65 |
| Port and Button Placements | Bottom: Primary microphone, USB port, Speaker grille,
Top: SIM tray Left Side: Power and volume buttons |
The flat edges and rounded corners are also a noticeable departure from the slightly curved design seen on devices like the Neo 7 and Neo 6. This change gives the Neo 10R a more modern, angular look, reminiscent of flagship devices, while also offering a better grip in hand. However, some may find the flat edges slightly less comfortable during extended gaming sessions.
The 6.78-inch AMOLED display is bright and vivid and has punchy colours. As a result, media consumption and gaming are a delightful affair. The 144Hz refresh rate allows for smooth scrolling and aids gamers.
| Display | Specifications |
| Size | 6.78-inch |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10+ display |
| Resolution | 1260×2800 pixels |
| Refresh Rate | 144Hz |
| Peak Brightness | Claimed: 4,500 nits Tested: 1362 nits |
| Minimum Brightness | 07 nits |
The screen resolution can either be set to 2800x 1260 or 2400x 1080 in order to save battery life. Sunlight legibility is not an issue, and the display is bright enough for outdoor use.
In terms of audio, the stereo speaker setup—a bottom-firing loudspeaker paired with an amplified earpiece—delivers a loud and clear sound. However, it lacks depth and bass, making it less ideal for immersive audio experiences.
Performance
Thanks to the flagship Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and 12GB of RAM, the iQOO Neo 10R is very fast and handles day-to-day tasks with aplomb.
| Hardware | Specifications |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 |
| RAM | Up to 12GB |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| Storage Test | |
| CPU Throttling Test | No CPU thermal throttling detected |
| Software Version | Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15 |
| Connectivity Details | Bluetooth 5.4 |
Gaming is another area where the phone shines. We played Genshin Impact for more than 45 minutes on the recommended medium settings and experienced no lags or heating issues. Even on the highest settings at 60fps, we did not experience any slowdown or noticeable heating. The vapour cooling chamber seems to be doing its job in keeping the phone cool.
While the in-display fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, the setup process took longer than usual.
The iQOO Neo 10R ships with FuntouchOS 15 which is based on the latest Android 15. Our unit also got the March security patch while testing, which is quite impressive. iQOO promises three Android updates and four years of security patches, which is not a class-leading update policy by any means.
The software is fast and fluid and is loaded with features to make your day-to-day life easier. These include ‘App Clone’, which allows you to run two instances of the same app with different accounts, a ‘Phone cooling’ tool which assesses the temperature of the phone and helps cool it down, an ‘Ultra Game Mode’, which claims to optimise performance, block notifications, enhance game resolution, and much more. There is also an ‘iManager’ app that allows you to free up storage, scan for viruses, and ‘boost speed’ by clearing the memory.
The biggest letdown, especially for a phone of this price, is the bloatware and spam. While many apps are not pre-installed, the phone tries to trick you into installing many unnecessary games and apps when you open the ‘V-Appstore’. There are also ads and recommendations throughout, such as in the global search bar and browser app. Most of these recommendations can be turned off, but the process is not straightforward, and most people will just leave them on.
Camera
The primary 50-megapixel Sony sensor is quite impressive. It pulls in a lot of light, even at night, and shots are crisp and detailed. But with some noise and grain. Thanks to the presence of OIS (optical image stabilisation), the camera does a commendable job in dimly lit scenarios as well. Our only point of complaint is the night mode, which tends to over-sharpen images.
| Camera | Specifications |
| Primary Camera | 50-megapixel (1/1.953″ Sony Portrait Camera) |
| Secondary Camera | 8-megapixel (Ultra Wide-Angle) |
| Selfie Camera | 32-megapixel
f/2.45 aperture |
| Video Recording Capabilities | Up to 4K at 60fps |
The secondary ultra-wide camera, as well as the front camera, does a good job when light is adequate but struggles slightly when lightning becomes dim or inconsistent.
Battery Life
We were pleasantly surprised by the iQOO Neo 10R’s battery life. The phone can handle a day of moderate to extensive use with relative ease.
| Battery | Specifications |
| Battery | 6,400mAh |
| Charging Adapter | 80W FlashCharge |
| Charging Time (20 to 80%) | 30 minutes |
| PCMark Battery Test | 23 hours and 17 minutes |
In our PCMark battery life test, the phone posted a score of 23 hours and 17 minutes, which is quite impressive considering its powerful chipset and power-sapping UHD display.
The phone took about 30 minutes to charge from 20 percent to 80 percent with the included 80W FlashCharge power brick.
Verdict
The iQOO Neo 10R strikes an impressive balance between power-packed performance and eye-catching design, making it an excellent choice for gamers and performance enthusiasts. It handles everyday tasks with ease and delivers a smooth gaming experience on the go, thanks to its capable hardware. The sleek and sporty design further adds to its appeal, while the long-lasting battery life ensures you won’t be reaching for the charger too often.
However, the software experience leaves something to be desired. The UI comes with pre-installed apps and sneaky recommendations, which can detract from the otherwise smooth user experience. Additionally, iQOO’s promise of only three years of Android updates feels underwhelming, especially when Samsung’s more affordable F06 now offers four years of updates, and its mid-range A16 and A36 offer six years of support.
That said, if performance, gaming, and design are your top priorities, the iQOO Neo 10R is definitely worth considering. But if you prioritise clean software and long-term software support, you might find better value elsewhere.
