iQOO Neo 10R 5G Full Review: The New Mid-Range & gaming performance

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G, launched in India on March 11, 2025, arrived with a singular mission: to dominate the performance-centric segment of the premium mid-range market.¹ Carrying the mantle of the Neo series, the 10R doesn’t just offer an upgrade; it introduces a blend of flagship hardware, a colossal battery, and features specifically tuned for mobile gamers, all packaged at a highly competitive price point.

This comprehensive review breaks down the device’s key specifications, assesses its raw performance, evaluates the camera system, and concludes on its overall value proposition in the Indian market.

Price and Key Specifications Snapshot

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G is available in three distinct variants, offering great flexibility for consumers.

Variant	RAM / Storage	India Launch Price	Effective Price (with offers)
Base	8GB LPDDR5X + 128GB UFS 3.1	₹26,999	~₹24,999
Mid	8GB LPDDR5X + 256GB UFS 4.1	₹28,999	~₹26,999
Top	12GB LPDDR5X + 256GB UFS 4.1	₹30,999	~₹28,999

Colorways: Raging Blue and MoonKnight Titanium.²

Feature	Specification	Key Takeaway
Processor	Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm)	Flagship-level architecture for top-tier performance and efficiency.
AnTuTu Score	~15,27,000+	One of the highest scores in its price segment.
Display	6.78″ 1.5K AMOLED	144Hz Refresh Rate and 4500 nits Peak Brightness.
Battery/Charging	6400mAh / 80W FlashCharge	Massive battery paired with fast charging (0-100% in ~67 minutes).
Camera	50MP Sony IMX882 (OIS) + 8MP UW	Reliable main shooter with Optical Image Stabilization.

Flagship Performance and Gaming Dominance

The Neo 10R’s commitment to performance is evident in its processor choice and thermal management.

Processor and Benchmarks

The heart of the Neo 10R is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm), utilizing the same cutting-edge core architecture as the flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

AnTuTu Score: The top variant consistently scores over 15,27,000+ on AnTuTu V10, placing it at the very top of the mid-range performance hierarchy and rivaling even high-end phones from the previous generation.
Memory Speed: The mid and top variants’ inclusion of UFS 4.1 storage is a huge differentiator, offering a theoretical $100\%$ higher read speed than UFS 3.1, translating to instant boot-ups and near-zero app loading times.

Sustained Gaming and Thermals

For gamers, sustained performance is key, and the Neo 10R excels here:

Cooling System: The device features a substantial $6043\text{mm}^2$ Vapor Chamber (VC) Cooling System. Real-world stress tests confirm that the phone maintains an average of 88-90 FPS in demanding titles like BGMI over long $5\text{hour}$ sessions with minimal frame drops or uncomfortable heating.
Gaming Features:
- 144Hz Refresh Rate: Available in optimized games like Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars.
- $2000\text{Hz}$ Instant Touch Sampling Rate: Ensures every tap and swipe is registered instantly, giving a competitive edge.
- Bypass Charging: Allows the charger to power the motherboard directly, reducing heat and preventing battery degradation during intense gaming.
- Ultra Game Mode: Includes 4D Game Vibration, an In-built FPS Meter for real-time monitoring, and an AI Game Voice Changer.

Battery and Charging: Setting a New Endurance Standard

The iQOO Neo 10R is one of the segment leaders in battery capacity, a crucial feature for heavy users and gamers.

Battery Capacity: A massive $6400\text{mAh}$ Si/C (Silicon-Carbon) battery. This is significantly larger than the $5000\text{mAh}$ standard, providing exceptional endurance.
Real-World Endurance: Users can expect up to 16 hours of continuous binge-watching or over 8 hours of heavy gaming. Moderate users will comfortably get 2 days of use on a single charge.
Charging: The $80\text{W}$ FlashCharge is included in the box. Despite the huge cell, it manages to charge from $0\%$ to $50\%$ in approximately 26 minutes, and a full $0\%$ to $100\%$ charge in around 67 minutes.

Gaming Performance: The Apex Predator

The iQOO Neo 10R’s primary identity is that of a performance beast, and its hardware is explicitly tuned for demanding mobile gaming.³

Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 & Thermals

The inclusion of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC is the star feature.⁴ Built on the flagship architecture, it delivers exceptional processing power that easily handles all current AAA mobile games.⁵

Benchmark Domination: The device’s AnTuTu score of over 1.5 million places it on par with older-generation flagship phones, giving it a commanding lead over rivals using Dimensity 7-series or older Snapdragon 7-series chips.⁶
Sustained Performance: Critically, the phone features a large 6043mm² Vapor Chamber (VC) Cooling System.⁷ In stress tests, the Neo 10R showed minimal CPU throttling, successfully maintaining high frame rates over extended gaming sessions.⁸
Gaming Experience:
- BGMI/CoD Mobile: Easily runs at a stable 90 FPS on high graphics settings.⁹ While the 144Hz mode is present, performance is generally more stable and recommended at 90 FPS for competitive play.
- Genshin Impact: Manages a steady 60 FPS on High graphics settings, though pushing to Very High can introduce minor instability, which is common across all but the most expensive flagships.¹⁰

Gaming-Specific Enhancements

The phone integrates features that enhance the gaming experience beyond raw power:¹¹

Ultra Game Mode: Includes features like 4D Game Vibration for tactile feedback and an AI Game Voice Changer.¹²
Bypass Charging: This crucial feature allows the phone to directly power the system, bypassing the battery during long gaming sessions, reducing heat generation and preserving battery health.¹³
High Touch Sampling Rate: The display boasts a 2000Hz Instant Touch Sampling Rate (in game mode) for lightning-fast responsiveness.¹⁴

Display and Battery: A Visual and Endurance Powerhouse

Display Quality

The 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display is a vibrant, bright panel optimized for both media consumption and gaming.¹⁵

144Hz Refresh Rate: Provides an incredibly smooth experience, though the 144Hz rate is limited to a few supported games.¹⁶
Peak Brightness: At up to 4,500 nits, outdoor visibility is excellent.¹⁷
Eye Care: Features 3840Hz High-Frequency PWM Dimming for reduced eye strain during low-light use.¹⁸

Battery and Charging

The 6400mAh battery is one of the largest in this performance segment, setting a new benchmark for endurance.¹⁹

Battery Life: Review tests show the phone comfortably delivers 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use and over 8 hours of screen-on-time even with heavy tasks like gaming and video streaming.²⁰
80W FlashCharge: The bundled 80W charger is quick, juicing up the massive cell from ²¹$0\%$ to ²²$100\%$ in just about 67 minutes, a respectable time considering the battery size.²³

Camera Performance: Decent but Not the Focus

Optics are where the Neo 10R shows its prioritization of performance over photography. While the system is competent, it is not its primary selling point.

Sensor	Specification	Real-World Performance
Primary Rear	50MP Sony IMX882 ($f/1.79$)	Delivers detailed, vibrant shots in ample daylight. OIS provides good stability for both photos and $4\text{K}@60\text{fps}$ video.
Ultra-Wide	8MP ($f/2.2$)	Usable for group shots and landscapes, but detail is noticeably softer than the main sensor.
Front Camera	32MP ($f/2.45$)	Good for social media; selfies are generally bright but can sometimes struggle with accurate skin tones and fine detail.

Verdict: The camera is a decent, practical setup for casual users.²⁴ The 50MP main sensor with OIS performs reliably, but serious photography enthusiasts may find the results lack the consistency and low-light prowess of camera-focused rivals.²⁵

Video Capability: The main camera supports $4\text{K}$ video recording at a smooth $60\text{fps}$, with the added benefit of OIS for stability. The 32MP front camera also supports up to $4\text{K}$ video, making it excellent for content creators.

Software and Long-Term Value

The phone runs on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15. While the OS has evolved to be cleaner than past versions, some pre-installed apps exist (though most are uninstallable).

Software Commitment: iQOO promises an excellent software lifecycle: 3 years of major Android OS updates and 4 years of security patches, ensuring the phone stays current and secure for years to come.
AI Integration: Includes new AI-powered features such as Circle to Search and an AI Eraser within the gallery for quick photo editing.

Final Verdict: A Champion for Gamers

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G is an exceptional device for those who prioritize speed, battery life, and sustained gaming performance in the sub-₹30,000 price segment. It successfully bridges the gap between mid-range and true flagship power.

Pros	Cons
Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers best-in-class performance.	Plasticky build quality is basic for the price point.
6400mAh Battery delivers outstanding endurance.	Funtouch OS still contains some bloatware and feels less refined than rivals.
1.5K 144Hz AMOLED is superb for media and gaming.	Secondary cameras (Ultra-Wide) are mediocre.
UFS 4.1 storage speed (in higher variants) is rapid.

The iQOO Neo 10R is a powerful, endurance-focused mobile gaming champion, offering immense value for its price.²⁶

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G solidifies its position as the ultimate choice for the performance-focused buyer in the sub-₹30,000 segment. It brilliantly balances a flagship-grade processor (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3), unmatched battery life ($6400\text{mAh}$), and ultra-fast storage (UFS 4.1) against minor compromises in design materials and secondary camera performance.

For anyone seeking a phone that can handle the most graphically intense games for hours on end without throttling, while simultaneously offering multi-day battery life, the iQOO Neo 10R is simply the new performance king