iQOO Neo 10 Review: A Performance Beast with AI Features and Long Battery Life
iQOO has introduced its new smartphone, the Neo 10, as a disruptor in the mid-range segment. Loaded with staggering features at a price tag of ₹31,999, the Neo 10 takes flagship-grade specs to the masses with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, a humongous 7,000 mAh battery, 120W fast charging, and intelligent AI-powered features.
iQOO Neo 10: Design and Build
The Neo 10 boasts a sleek Inferno Red color, which is similar in design to that of its previous model, the Neo 10R. The Neo 10 is slightly heavier only because the battery pack is larger. The phone boasts a clean and symmetrical appearance with the dual-camera housing and matte finish.
Some other careful design considerations include:
- Punch-hole front camera for an immersive screen.
- Under-display fingerprint sensor for effortless unlocking.
- IP65 rating for dust and splash resistance, adding durability.
The phone’s power button and volume controls are conveniently placed on the right side, while you’ll find a USB-C port and speaker at the bottom, with a secondary microphone at the top.
iQOO Neo 10: Display
The Neo 10 features a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 2800x1260 (1.5K) resolution and 144Hz refresh rate, ideal for seamless gaming and media consumption. The screen can achieve a peak local brightness level of 5,500 nits and has a high brightness mode of 2,000 nits, guaranteeing excellent visibility even under full sunlight. With a 3,000Hz touch sampling rate, the screen is extremely responsive, ideal for gaming.
The Neo 10 has been certified with the SGS Five-Star Sunlight Display Certification, which speaks volumes about its outstanding performance in sunlight visibility. Compared to its rivals, such as the Realme GT 7, the Neo 10 has the same level of brightness and refresh rate, which means an equally pleasing visual experience.
iQOO Neo 10: Software and AI Features
Based on Android 15 and powered by Funtouch OS, the Neo 10 boasts a more minimalist, streamlined interface with fewer bloatware apps. Its AI features are impressive for its segment and include:
- Circle to Search
- AI Image Expander
- Live Call Translation
- AI Cut Out
- AI Note Assist
These intelligent features, which one normally finds on pricier phones, add more convenience and make the overall user experience better.
Performance
The Neo 10 runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor, with a maximum of 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. The combination handles video playback, gaming, and multitasking with ease. A 7K Ultra VC cooling solution with graphite film and thermal gel that covers 27,000 mm² takes care of the heat management to keep the device cool even under high usage.
Benchmark figures are high, with Geekbench readings of 2,121 (single-core) and 7,032 (multi-core), and an AnTuTu figure of 2,084,242. These figures compare favorably against others like the Realme GT 7, especially in terms of gaming performance. The phone smoothly runs BGMI at 144fps without any heating or lag experience, thanks to features such as the All-Scenario Fast Engine and Super Gyroscope.
Camera
The camera arrangement on the Neo 10 features:
- 50MP Sony portrait sensor for crisp, high-resolution photos.
- 8MP ultra-wide lens for broader shots.
- 32MP front camera for excellent selfies.
During the day, the camera takes sharp, well-balanced shots with plenty of detail and accurate colors. Image quality is improved by the NICE algorithm to yield crisp portrait shots with natural bokeh. In nighttime conditions, Night Mode delivers improved exposures and lower noise. Selfie performance is reliable with sharp, detailed shots, and it's ideal for both everyday and professional photography.
iQOO Neo 10: Battery Life and Charging
With a 7,000 mAh battery, the Neo 10 has staggering battery life, with an ability to function for up to two days of regular usage, including gaming and media playback. The 120W fast charging charges the phone from 0 to 50% in 15 minutes and takes about 40-45 minutes to fully charge — comparable to other premium phones such as the Realme GT 7. While the Neo 10R uses a more compact battery, the Neo 10 has a bigger battery and quicker charging, so for users who need high battery life, this is a good option.
