iQOO Neo 10 Review: India's First Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 Powerhouse

 iQOO Neo 10: Unleashing the Power of Snapdragon 8s Gen 4

In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, the iQOO Neo 10 has made a grand entrance as India's first device to feature the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor. As a tech enthusiast, I couldn't wait to put this device through its paces and see how it stacks up against its competitors. After extensive testing, I'm excited to share my findings in this comprehensive review.

Design: Familiar Yet Functional

The iQOO Neo 10 borrows its design language from its sibling, the iQOO 13, featuring a distinctive squircle camera module. While some may argue about originality, I believe there's nothing wrong with maintaining a consistent design across a brand's lineup.

Key design features:

Two color options: Titanium Chrome and Inferno Red

Polycarbonate build, including the side frame

Curved back for comfortable grip

Slim profile at 8.09mm, despite housing a 7,000 mAh battery

Weight: 208g (slightly bottom-heavy)

The use of polycarbonate might not scream premium, but it helps keep the weight manageable, especially considering the large battery capacity. The curved back ensures a comfortable grip, offsetting the slight bottom-heaviness.

Display: A Visual Treat

The 6.78-inch display on the iQOO Neo 10 is truly impressive, offering:

1.5K resolution

144Hz refresh rate (variable between 60, 90, 120, and 144Hz)

Slim bezels and a tiny punch-hole camera

Peak brightness of 5,500 nits for HDR content

HDR support on YouTube and Netflix

Excellent color accuracy in "Original" mode

360Hz touch sampling rate (up to 2,000Hz in gaming mode)

4,320Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain

The display's HDR performance is particularly noteworthy, with well-tuned shadows and highlights. Color accuracy is spot-on, making it suitable for photo and video editing tasks.

Performance: Gaming Powerhouse

At the heart of the iQOO Neo 10 lies the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, and it doesn't disappoint. Here's how it stacks up against competitors:

Synthetic benchmarks: Slightly behind the Dimensity 9400 in the Realme GT7

CPU stability: Best average stability among tested devices

GPU performance: Outperforms both Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Dimensity 9400

Gaming: On par with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in Genshin Impact at highest settings

The iQOO Neo 10 shines in GPU-intensive tasks, making it an excellent choice for mobile gamers. It manages heat well and offers consistent performance during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life and Charging

The 7,000 mAh battery in the iQOO Neo 10 provides excellent longevity:

Comparable battery life to the Realme GT7 (also 7,000 mAh)

Outperforms the OnePlus 13R's 6,000 mAh battery

120W fast charging (charger included in the box)

Full charge in about 35 minutes

USB-PD support for charging laptops

The inclusion of a 120W charger with USB-PD support adds versatility, allowing you to charge other devices like laptops.

Camera Performance: Surprisingly Capable

While the camera setup might seem basic on paper, iQOO has done an excellent job with software optimization:

50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor

8MP ultra-wide camera

32MP selfie camera

Strengths:

Excellent color reproduction in "Natural" mode

Impressive HDR performance

Good portrait mode with accurate edge detection

Decent low-light performance

Areas for improvement:

Main sensor can produce soft images in certain conditions

Ultra-wide camera is adequate but not exceptional

Video limited to 1080p/30fps on the ultra-wide lens

Overall, the camera system on the iQOO Neo 10 is more than capable for everyday use and social media sharing.

Software: FunTouch OS 15

The iQOO Neo 10 runs on FunTouch OS 15, based on Android 15. While it offers a stable experience, there are some considerations:

Promise of 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches

Improved over previous versions but still feels dated in some aspects

Pre-installed bloatware (removable)

Some ads and recommendations (can be disabled)

Basic AI features included

The software experience is generally smooth, with only minor bugs encountered during testing.

A Focused Gaming Powerhouse

The iQOO Neo 10 successfully targets mobile gaming enthusiasts by combining:

Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor

Excellent GPU performance

Large 7,000 mAh battery with fast charging

Impressive high-refresh-rate display

While the exact pricing wasn't available at the time of review, it's expected to range between ₹30,000 to ₹40,000, depending on the configuration. For the best experience, we recommend opting for at least the 12GB/256GB variant.

If you're a mobile gamer looking for top-tier performance without breaking the bank, the iQOO Neo 10 should definitely be on your radar. It offers a compelling package that balances power, battery life, and display quality, making it a strong contender in its price range.

FAQ
How does the iQOO Neo 10's gaming performance compare to other smartphones?  

The iQOO Neo 10, powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, offers top-tier gaming performance comparable to devices with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, outperforming many competitors in GPU-intensive tasks.

What is the battery life like on the iQOO Neo 10? 

With its large 7000mAh battery, the iQOO Neo 10 offers excellent battery life, comparable to other devices with similar capacity. It also supports 120W fast charging, fully charging in about 35 minutes.

Does the iQOO Neo 10 have a good camera? 

While not its primary focus, the iQOO Neo 10's camera system is surprisingly capable, featuring a 50MP main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, and 32MP selfie camera. It performs well in various lighting conditions and offers good HDR capabilities.

What are the standout features of the iQOO Neo 10's display? 

The iQOO Neo 10 boasts a 6.78-inch display with 1.5K resolution, 144Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 5,500 nits for HDR content. It also features excellent color accuracy and reduced eye strain with 4,320Hz PWM dimming.

Is the iQOO Neo 10 worth buying for non-gamers? 

While the iQOO Neo 10 is optimized for gaming, its powerful processor, excellent display, long battery life, and capable camera make it a solid choice for general users who want a high-performance device without breaking the bank.

iQOO Neo 10,Snapdragon 8s Gen 4,Gaming smartphone,144Hz display,7000mAh battery,120W fast charging, Fun Touch OS 15,Mobile gaming performance, Smartphone camera review, Budget flagship