iQOO Neo 10R Goes on Sale in India: 4 Reasons to Buy and 1 Big Reason to Skip It

iQOO’s latest offering, the Neo 10R, has officially gone on sale in India, priced starting at Rs 26,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. As the newest member of iQOO’s Neo series, the Neo 10R brings some impressive specifications and features, hoping to carve a niche in the mid-range smartphone market. Available now through iQOO's official e-store and Amazon India, the phone promises to deliver a blend of performance, battery life, and display quality at an attractive price. But does it live up to the hype? Here are four reasons to consider buying the iQOO Neo 10R and one reason you might want to skip it.

4 Reasons to Buy the iQOO Neo 10R

1. A Stunning Display for an Immersive Experience

One of the standout features of the iQOO Neo 10R is its gorgeous 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display. With a buttery-smooth 144Hz refresh rate and an impressive 2,000Hz touch sampling rate, this phone is tailor-made for users who love to game, watch videos, or scroll through social media. The AMOLED panel produces vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, providing a viewing experience that’s hard to beat in this price range.

Another significant advantage is its peak brightness of 4,500 nits, which means you can enjoy clear visuals even in bright sunlight. In real-world scenarios, the High Brightness Mode (HBM) offers a peak of 1,800 nits, making it readable even under the harshest conditions. For mobile gamers, the combination of high refresh rate and touch sampling rate ensures smooth gameplay and quick response times, elevating your gaming experience to a new level.

2. Impressive Battery Life and Fast Charging Capabilities

Battery life is a key factor for most smartphone buyers, and the iQOO Neo 10R excels in this area. Equipped with a massive 6,400mAh battery, this phone can easily last a full day, even with heavy use. Whether you're binge-watching content, scrolling through social media, or playing games, the Neo 10R has you covered.

And when the battery does need a recharge, the 80W fast charging technology ensures you're back in action quickly. In just 25 minutes, you can charge the phone to 50%, and a full charge takes around 60 minutes. This combination of large battery capacity and super-fast charging makes the Neo 10R an appealing choice for those who need a reliable device throughout the day.

3. Top-Notch Performance for Gaming and Multitasking

Under the hood, the iQOO Neo 10R packs a powerful punch with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.1 storage. This hardware setup ensures smooth performance even with demanding apps, multitasking, and gaming.

Mobile gamers will appreciate the phone’s ability to handle high-performance games like Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI with ease. The Neo 10R delivers impressive frame rates of 120fps and 90fps, respectively, offering a seamless and lag-free gaming experience. The 144Hz refresh rate enhances gameplay, while the 6K vapour-chamber cooling system ensures the device doesn’t overheat during extended sessions. Plus, the inclusion of haptic feedback and dual stereo speakers adds an extra level of immersion, making it a fantastic option for gaming enthusiasts.

4. Solid Camera Performance for Everyday Use

While the iQOO Neo 10R isn’t marketed as a camera-centric device, it still offers solid performance in photography. The rear camera setup includes a 50-megapixel main sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 32-megapixel selfie camera. In well-lit conditions, the main camera captures vibrant, detailed photos with excellent dynamic range.

The OIS ensures steady shots even in low light, minimizing blur and noise. The ultra-wide lens is a handy addition for landscape or group shots, though it may suffer from slight edge distortion. The front-facing 32-megapixel selfie camera produces sharp, natural-looking photos, making it ideal for social media enthusiasts who love sharing pictures online.

1 Reason to Skip the iQOO Neo 10R

Limited Water Resistance with IP65 Rating

Despite its many strengths, the iQOO Neo 10R does have one notable drawback: it lacks an IP68 or IP69 rating for dust and water resistance. Instead, the phone comes with an IP65 rating, which offers basic protection against dust and splashes of water. This may be a dealbreaker for users who frequently use their phones near water, whether for outdoor activities or simply using it in the rain.

While the IP65 rating is sufficient for everyday use and light splashes, the absence of a higher water resistance rating means that the Neo 10R isn't the best option for those seeking a phone that can withstand more extreme environments. If you tend to use your phone around water often, you might want to look at alternatives with better water protection.

Should You Buy the iQOO Neo 10R?

The iQOO Neo 10R packs a lot of punch for its price, offering a stunning display, excellent battery life, top-tier performance, and solid camera capabilities. For anyone looking for a reliable mid-range smartphone, this phone offers a compelling package that checks off many essential features. However, if water resistance is a top priority for you, you might want to skip this one.

That said, with a starting price of Rs 26,999, the iQOO Neo 10R stands as a strong contender in the competitive mid-range smartphone market, especially for users who prioritize gaming, display quality, and battery performance.