The smartphone market has witnessed an influx of flagship devices, many of which sport the highly coveted Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. However, these premium devices often come with a hefty price tag, making them inaccessible to budget-conscious buyers. Enter the iQOO Neo 10, a smartphone that promises near-flagship performance without breaking the bank. For those who are looking for a solid device that doesn’t compromise on essentials, the Neo 10 is a compelling option. Let’s dive into an in-depth review of this device, exploring its design, hardware, software, camera, and more.

Unboxing the iQOO Neo 10: First Impressions

The iQOO Neo 10 arrives in a sleek and premium box that proudly showcases its branding. Upon unboxing, you’re greeted by:

1. The Device: Wrapped in protective plastic, the Neo 10 instantly grabs attention with its striking design.
2. Accessories:
   • A transparent soft case that offers basic protection.
   • A USB Type-C to Type-C cable with white accents.
   • A SIM ejector tool.
   • A 120W Vivo Flash Charger, a significant inclusion in this price segment.

The unboxing experience reflects iQOO’s commitment to delivering value, with all the essentials neatly packed in.

Design and Build Quality

The iQOO Neo 10 takes design inspiration from its predecessor while introducing subtle refinements. Here’s what stands out:

• Color Options: The Neo 10 is available in three colors—Orange, Black, and White. The orange variant, with its blend of gray and orange hues, is particularly eye-catching.
• Build Material: The back is made of glass with a frosted matte finish, which is fingerprint-resistant. However, the black variant uses a fiberglass material, which is lighter and slightly slimmer.
• Frame: Although it mimics a brushed metal finish, the frame is actually plastic. Despite this, the device feels sturdy and premium.

Design Highlights:

• The phone is 8.1 mm thick and weighs about 200g, striking a balance between portability and heft.
• An ultrasonic fingerprint scanner is integrated into the display, offering quick and accurate unlocking.
• The absence of an official IP rating is worth noting, though the device can handle wet hands.

Display: OLED Excellence

The iQOO Neo 10 features a 6.78-inch OLED display manufactured by Visionox. It promises an immersive viewing experience with the following features:

1. Resolution: A 1.5K resolution (452 PPI) ensures sharp visuals.
2. Refresh Rate: A 144Hz refresh rate and LTPO technology enable smooth scrolling and adaptive refresh rates, saving battery when high performance isn’t needed.
3. Brightness: While iQOO claims a peak HDR brightness of 4500 nits, real-world testing shows 1150 nits in auto mode, making it excellent for outdoor usage.
4. PWM Dimming: The display supports 2592Hz PWM dimming by default, with an option for 4320Hz under developer mode, reducing eye strain in low light.

This display excels in multimedia consumption and gaming, further enhanced by stereo speakers for a rich audio-visual experience.

Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

At its core, the iQOO Neo 10 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, last year’s flagship processor that continues to impress with its robust performance.

Hardware Specifications:

• RAM and Storage:
  • Base variant: 12GB LPDDR5X RAM with 256GB UFS 4.1 storage.
  • Top variant: 16GB RAM and up to 1TB storage.
• Battery:
  • A 6,100mAh battery, enhanced by silicon-carbon nano technology, offers excellent endurance.
  • Charging: With the bundled 120W charger, the device charges from 0-50% in 15 minutes and reaches full capacity in just 35 minutes.

Gaming and Thermal Performance:

The Neo 10’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 delivers seamless gaming experiences with titles running at high settings. While extended gaming sessions did result in a temperature rise to 47°C, this is manageable compared to the 50°C+ temperatures seen on some Snapdragon 8 Elite devices. Cooling is average but sufficient for most users.

Software: OriginOS Based on Android 15

The Neo 10 ships with OriginOS 5 atop Android 15, providing a clean and feature-rich interface. Global variants are expected to launch with FunTouch OS, which offers similar functionality. Software updates and security patches have been reliable in past iQOO devices, and the Neo 10 is expected to follow suit.

Camera: A Mixed Bag

The camera setup on the iQOO Neo 10 is minimalistic, focusing on essentials rather than gimmicks.

Rear Cameras:

1. Primary Camera:
   • Sony IMX921 sensor with 50MP resolution and optical image stabilization (OIS).
   • Performs admirably in good lighting, delivering accurate colors, sharp details, and excellent dynamic range.
   • Low-light performance is solid, with well-controlled highlights and minimal noise.
2. Ultra-Wide Camera:
   • An 8MP OmniVision sensor with fixed focus.
   • Offers wider perspectives but suffers from inconsistent color reproduction and lack of macro functionality.

Front Camera:

• A 16MP shooter in a punch-hole design.
• Selfies are decent with good skin tones, though video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps and suffers from stability issues.

Video Recording:
While the primary camera supports 8K 30fps, the lack of proper stabilization renders the footage almost unusable. Even 4K video shows some jitter, making this phone less suitable for videography.

Connectivity and Features

The iQOO Neo 10 doesn’t skimp on essential connectivity features:

• IR Blaster: A rarity in this price range.
• NFC Support: Convenient for contactless payments.
• Ports: USB Type-C 2.0, though faster USB 3.0 would have been welcome.

Competitor Comparison

To provide a better perspective, here’s how the iQOO Neo 10 stacks up against its competitors:

The Neo 10 offers a unique balance of performance and pricing, outshining many in battery life and display features.

Verdict: Who Should Buy the iQOO Neo 10?

The iQOO Neo 10 is a solid choice for users who:

• Seek flagship-level performance without spending a premium.
• Prioritize display quality, battery life, and gaming performance over camera capabilities.
• Want a distinctive design and fast charging capabilities.

However, if camera performance or videography is a priority, other options might serve you better.

At its starting price of ₹27,000 (or $315), the iQOO Neo 10 delivers exceptional value for money. While it makes a few compromises, they’re reasonable for the price. The Neo 10 is a testament to how brands like iQOO are redefining the mid-range segment by offering near-flagship experiences at accessible prices.

What are your thoughts on the iQOO Neo 10? Let us know in the comments below!