Hello Friends After weeks of teasers, iQOO has finally launched the iQOO Neo 10R, a smartphone designed with gamers in mind. Unlike the Neo10 and Neo10 Pro, which are exclusive to China, the Neo 10R is making its debut in India. We got our hands on this exciting new device, and here’s everything you need to know!
Unboxing Experience
The iQOO Neo 10R comes in a sleek black-colored retail box that feels premium right from the start. Inside, you’ll find the smartphone, a protective case, a SIM ejector tool, user documentation, a USB-C cable, and an 80W power adapter. The inclusion of a charger is a relief, especially when many brands have started removing it from the packaging.
A Stunning Display Built for Gaming
The smartphone features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,800×1,260 pixels and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate. However, most of the UI runs at 120Hz, with the full 144Hz reserved for select games. The display boasts 4,500 nits peak brightness, making it easy to use even under direct sunlight. For protection, iQOO has used Schott Xensation Up glass, ensuring durability against accidental drops and scratches.
When it comes to entertainment, the iQOO Neo 10R doesn’t disappoint. It supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG codecs, making video content look vibrant and realistic. Additionally, it is Widevine L1 certified, which means you can stream Netflix and other OTT content in full HD resolution.
The under-display fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate, but its placement could have been slightly higher for a more natural unlocking experience.
Camera Performance More Than Just a Gaming Phone
On the back, the iQOO Neo 10R has a dual-camera setup, including a 50MP primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The primary camera uses the Sony IMX882 sensor, which is capable of 4K video recording at 60fps. The ultra-wide camera, while decent, doesn’t stand out as much as the main sensor.
For selfie lovers, the 32MP front camera is housed in a centered punch-hole cutout. It supports 4K video recording at 30fps, making it ideal for both selfies and video calls.
Design and Build Quality
The iQOO Neo 10R comes in two stylish colors Raging Blue, which is exclusive to India, and MoonKnight Titanium. The Raging Blue variant features a unique two-tone white-blue design, inspired by racing tracks. It looks eye-catching, especially under different lighting conditions.
At 7.98mm thin and 196g in weight, the phone feels comfortable in hand. However, unlike the Neo9 Pro, which had a premium faux leather back, the Neo 10R has a plastic build. While this helps keep the price lower, it also means the back panel is prone to smudges and fingerprints.
Ports and Buttons Everything in Place
The right side of the phone houses the power button and volume rocker, both of which provide decent tactile feedback. At the bottom, you’ll find the USB-C port, SIM tray, speaker grille, and primary microphone. The top of the phone includes an IR blaster and a secondary microphone, a great addition for those who use their phones as remote controls for TVs and ACs.
Performance Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in Action
Under the hood, the iQOO Neo 10R is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 4.1 storage. The phone ships with Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15, and iQOO promises three years of Android updates and four years of monthly security patches. In our initial testing, the performance was buttery smooth, with no noticeable lags. The real test, of course, is gaming. We played Call of Duty Mobile at Very High graphics and Max frame rate for over an hour, and the phone remained cool with no performance drops.
Unlike the Neo9 Pro, the Neo 10R doesn’t come with an independent display chip. According to iQOO, this is because users in this price segment prioritize stable FPS over ultra-high FPS, which was the purpose of the Supercomputing Chip Q1 in the Neo9 Pro. The iQOO Neo 10R delivers an impressive package with flagship-level performance, a high-refresh-rate AMOLED display, and a powerful primary camera. While it does make some compromises, such as a plastic build and the absence of an independent display chip, these trade-offs seem reasonable considering its price. If you are a student or a gamer looking for a powerful mid-range phone, the iQOO Neo 10R is definitely worth considering. With a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, 144Hz display, and 80W fast charging, it offers solid value for money.
Disclaimer: This article is based on first impressions and limited hands-on time with the device. Performance and experience may vary with long-term usage.
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