iQOO Neo 10R First Impressions
A year separated the Neo 10R from the label “flagship killer” that iQOO had bestowed upon the Neo 9 Pro, said to be a massive step up in performance, camera, and charging speed, all while being the budget option. Now, Neo 10R steps into the ring carrying its crown-inherited legacy. But does it pack the power to hold down the crown? Initial impressions list this as more of an evolution and less of a revolution. Let’s break down what has changed and see if iQOO is in the safety zone or strategically crafting a winning formula.
The iQOO Neo 10R retains the familiar silhouette of its predecessor but loses the confounding dual-tone vegan leather. The big question: How does one describe something that is less loud but not-so-appealing visually?
The iQOO Neo 10R gets an IP65-rated design for dust and water resistance
The “Raging Blue” finish just screams “GAMER,” but then the phone’s rear panel spins an atypical curveball. Think of it: a pixelated gradient that drips from stark white into very soft lavender. It’s… unexpected. The iQOO brand logo gets consumed into this digital tide, almost invisible. And “NEO Power to Win” tagline? Just about small enough to accidentally trash-bin except if you do see it perfectly on an awkward angle. Honestly, the whole design is a beautiful mess. We second that reaction.
With a tough gamer exterior, the iQOO Neo 10R goes for a refined “MoonKnight Titanium” finish that is Titanium Grey-inspired, along the lines of the iPhone 15 Pro. A polycarbonate frame and back keep the build light, while inside is tucked away a gargantuan 6,400mAh battery within a fairly slim 7.9mm shell. Four hundred grams heavy and with a reputation as tough, the power bank is trying to top it, with an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance.
The iQOO Neo 10R’s display remains similar to the previous model, both in terms of size and capability
The screen is still singing the vibrant AMOLED tune, refreshed smoothly at 120Hz. Gamers will love the blistering 300Hz touch sampling rate, which keeps the players just a little bit ahead of the competition. Thank God for the panel being flat and usable – a refreshing denial to follow the curved-screen craze. What a win for practical thinking from iQOO!
The Neo 10R has to be given a serious boost this year. Leaving behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 of yesteryears, this one gives the chance to own a radically new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3! That already sounds exclusive. Ok, now you’ve got a choice-the speed could be an 8GB feel or the mighty 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Storage? Pick either 128GB UFS 3.1 for everyday speed or 256GB of UFS 4.1 if you want nothing but the fastest.
Both of the iQOO Neo 10R’s rear-facing cameras have received upgrades
But it really is the battery that is ice-breaking. This lithium-ion-wonder, packing in a gargantuan 6,400mAh, employs bleeding-edge silicon carbon technology. Just imagine stuffing more juice into the same sleek frame; that’s precisely what they accomplished. While the previous model went all the way with 120W charging, this one slows it down to a gentler 80W to maximize longevity without major speed sacrifice.
Charging speeds have dropped, but the battery’s capacity gets a massive upgrade
iQOO is releasing its latest flagship killer that now runs on Funtouch OS 15, built atop the Android 15 platform. So, go ahead and dive even deeper into customization. However, the game-changing factor here is native AI tools embedded in the user experience, begging to be explored and taken to the edges of possibility. Time to test these smart tools.
Charging into the mid-range arena from the gate with a starting price of Rs. 26,999, the iQOO Neo 10R is ready for the fight. But can it rise before all challengers? New challengers such as the Nothing Phone 3a are making their entrance into the ring, while some seasoned fighters, namely Poco F6 and OnePlus Nord CE 4, are throwing their punches already. Can the iQOO Neo 10R do justice to its “flagship killer” ambitions in this crowded arena? Stay tuned to our detailed review very soon for the verdict!
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