In an increasingly crowded smartphone market with a variety of options, the iQOO Neo10 has emerged as a serious contender in the premium mid-range device category. Introduced in early June, the device comes with high-performance specifications such as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip, a large 7000mAh battery, 120W fast charging, and a smooth 120Hz AMOLED display.
However, the question is, is the iQOO Neo10 really worth it for everyday use? This review will take a closer look at the experience of using the iQOO Neo10 from various aspects.
Specifications And Usage Experience
IQOO Neo10
6.78″ AMOLED screen, 144Hz, 4400 nits
1260 x 2800 pixels, 20:9 (~453 ppi)
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor (4 nm)
1 x 3.21 GHz Cortex-X4 chip
3 x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A720
2 x 2.8 GHz Cortex-A720
2 x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A720
Adreno 825 Graphics Chip
RAM 12GB RAM
512GB Internal Storage
(no microSD card)
Main Camera 50 MP (wide), PDAF, OIS
8 MP (ultra-wide)
Front Camera 32 MP (wide)
Si / C Li-Ion 7000 mAh battery
Wired 120W
Dual SIM Nano SIM/Telephony
NFC Yes
Infrared Yes
Resistant IP65 Water
Scanning System Fingerprint Scan
Face Scan
Selling Price RM1999 (12/256GB)
RM2199 (16/512GB)
Holding the iQOO Neo10 feels like using several previous iQOO models because of its recycled design without significant changes. The back panel is slightly curved while the front uses a flat screen. However, this flat screen is not the boxy type that some users like, but rather it is a regular flat screen flanked by curved side frames.
This type of design still offers comfort when held, without causing discomfort even after long periods of use. Throughout the review period, this device provided a fairly pleasant user experience. The back panel comes with a glossy finish that not only does not look dull but also makes the device quite slippery and easy to slip out of the grip.
Physically, the iQOO Neo10 still maintains a premium feel. Despite being equipped with a large battery, the thickness of this device is only around 8.09mm with a weight of around 206 grams. At first glance, it may seem heavy but in fact this device offers a balanced body and is comfortable to hold. It also does not feel empty, making it a suitable choice for users who want a solid and balanced device.
I received the Desert Gold variant inspired by the shades of the desert. This charming yellowish color looks luxurious, with clearly visible golden elements, in line with the model name. Indeed, no negative comments can be given to this kind of design because the iQOO Neo10 is quite modern and ergonomic. The experience of holding the device to take pictures also feels satisfying, although the shape is a little wide and tall.
One aspect that deserves attention is the iQOO Neo10's camera bump is quite large and prominent. This kind of design may not suit the taste of all users. Some do not mind but some also feel disturbed especially when the device is placed on a table because it is uneven and easily sways.
Therefore, the use of a protective frame is highly recommended to provide a more comfortable use experience and additional protection for the camera module. For users who value looks and comfort, this frame can help stabilize the device when placed while maintaining the original design.
The power button and audio rocker are located on the right side while the left side is left empty to maintain a minimalist design touch. The device supports a stereo audio system with two speakers, one on the top which also houses the infrared emitter and the other on the bottom with the USB-C port and SIM slot.
The audio quality produced is clear, but unbalanced. This is because the speaker on the bottom produces louder sound than the top. This is expected given the different size of the speakers and the audio grille on the bottom is designed to support maximum volume levels. The audio of this device can also reach up to 300% volume which makes the listening experience more immersive and exciting.
The in-screen fingerprint scanner works quickly, as expected. This is because iQOO is under the vivo umbrella, and is believed to share the same fingerprint scanning technology. In addition, this device also comes with an IP65 water and dust resistance rating.
The 6.78-inch screen uses a 1.5K resolution AMOLED panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. This allows users to enjoy extremely smooth and responsive visuals whether watching videos, scrolling through social media or playing mobile games. The colors displayed appear bright and sharp, while the maximum brightness level ensures that the screen remains clear even under bright sunlight.
Processor and Software
The iQOO Neo10 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip with the Q1 additional graphics chip, which makes its performance almost comparable to that of flagship devices. In daily use such as opening various applications, editing videos or playing intensive mobile games, there are no noticeable lag issues. Equipped with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 internal storage, the multi-tasking experience feels very smooth.
For games like Honor of Kings (HOK), the iQOO Neo10 supports stable frame rates at 60FPS and 120FPS, depending on the settings and system stability. The sharp graphics and smooth animations without any lag make for a very satisfying gaming experience.
Not only does this device support high frame rates, but the gaming experience is also enhanced by fast screen response and an efficient cooling system to prevent overheating. Every movement and attack feels smooth, allowing me to focus fully and enjoy the game without interruption.
AnTuTu 3D
Chip Score
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 2,012,925
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2,341,598
Mediatek Dimensity 9400e 2,131,975
Dimensity 9400 2,629,017
Apple A18 Pro 1,720,751
Tensor G4 1,016,712
Geekbench 6
Single Core Multi Core Chip
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 2109 6858
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2918 8917
Mediatek Dimensity 9400e Not possible 9435
Can't be done9435
Dimensity 9400 2663 8959
Apple A18 Pro 3359 8129
Tensor G4 1916 4644
Geekbench AI
Chip Single Accuracy Score Half Accuracy Score Quantized Score
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 2124 2131 3099
Snapdragon 8 Elite 2514 2478 3637
Mediatek Dimensity 9400e 1850 1861 2629
Dimensity 9400 1728 1740 2147
Apple A18 Pro 3975 7744 6204
Tensor G4 2058 2017 3129
3DMark Wildlife Extreme
Chip Score
Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 3480
Snapdragon 8 Elite Can't
Mediatek Dimensity 9400e 5377
Dimensity 9400 6251
Apple A18 Pro 4560
Tensor G4 2567
The iQOO Neo10 runs Android 15 with the interface FuntouchOS 15 is simple, fast and user-friendly. It is not only beautiful to look at, but also comes with various interesting features. One of the most prominent is the Video Wallpaper and Screen Animation function, which allows me to set a video as the background on the home screen and lock screen.
In addition, I am also given full freedom to customize the icon style including the shape, size and application labels according to my own taste. Various clock widget options and Always-On Display also allow the screen to look more personalized. FuntouchOS 15 also offers an enhanced game mode to ensure more stable performance while optimizing the processing power of background applications for a more immersive gaming experience.
AI Image Lab comes with intelligent functions that allow users to remove unwanted objects in pictures, in addition to improving the quality of scanned documents. In terms of privacy, this system includes the Smart Privacy feature as well as more detailed application sharing controls to allow users to clearly specify the data they want to share.
Finally, iQOO Neo10 also offers various artificial intelligence-based features such as AI Translation, AI Gemini and AI Screen Translation. These features not only facilitate daily interactions, but also enhance the device's capabilities in language-related tasks such as real-time translation, text recognition and visual context understanding.
Camera and Image Quality
The iQOO Neo10's main camera only includes two basic types of filters, which some users may find a bit limited. However, for those who want more options, the portrait mode section provides a variety of interesting filters to produce more stylish images. One of them is Panning Mode, a special recording mode that works almost like using a professional camera, suitable for creating a movement effect with a stylish background.
Through this technique, I can get images with an interesting movement effect as if the camera is moved in the direction of the subject while the image is being recorded. Although it is challenging to get a neat bokeh effect in some situations, in general the subject can still be clearly separated from the background. Sometimes there is a slight shake effect that can affect the sharpness of the subject, but it is rare and does not interfere too much with the overall shot.
Overall, the image quality produced by the iQOO Neo10 is considered to meet expectations. Every shot looks sharp with clear details. Interestingly, there are three different color profiles, namely Textured, Vivid and Natural, which allow me to choose a color style according to my taste.
For example, the Textured mode offers slightly darker color tones with an emphasis on sharpness, suitable for those who like a dramatic style. On the other hand, the Vivid mode highlights the colors to look brighter and more vibrant with a slight yellowish tint, making it an ideal choice for photos that you want to highlight.
Meanwhile, the Natural mode provides a more natural color balance, suitable for users who want to do their own editing after the photo is taken. However, the final result is still greatly influenced by the lighting level. Adequate lighting will make the photo more attractive and satisfying.
Moving on to portrait performance, this camera is able to separate the subject from the background quite well. The edges of the subject look neat and clear, and even when zoomed in, the results still maintain satisfactory edge accuracy. However, in certain situations, especially when there are other objects too close to the subject, the camera may experience confusion in determining the actual focus point.
Even if the aperture is left at the default setting, the bokeh effect produced still looks beautiful with a balanced level of blur and not excessive. The post-processing process also runs quickly and does not affect the overall smoothness of use.
Battery And Charging
The 7000mAh battery used is one of the largest in its class. In daily use such as browsing social media, using camera applications and a few gaming sessions, this phone can last up to two days. In some situations, this phone can be used for 15 hours with SOT almost 4 hours and the battery remaining is still at 64%.
In other uses, it can last up to 23 hours with SOT 8 hours 12 minutes, and the battery remaining is 31%. This clearly shows excellent battery life for various types of daily use. The included 120W fast charging allows the device to be charged from 0 to 50% in just 15 minutes, while a full charge takes around 40 minutes.
What's in the Box
Here's what we received in the box:
1 x iQOO Neo10 5G.
1 x 120W Charger Head.
1 x USB-C to USB-A Cable.
1 x Black Silicone Case.
1 x User Manual.
1 x SIM Ejector.
Conclusion
Is the iQOO Neo10 worth owning? The answer is yes. It's a smartphone that balances performance, durability, camera system, and value. It's perfect for hardcore gamers who prioritize high performance, active users who need long-lasting battery life and fast charging, content creators who want a solid camera with 4K recording support, and everyday users who want a responsive device. Priced at RM1999 in Malaysia, the iQOO Neo10 is not only powerful, but also practical and fun to use every day
Pros
Leading performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.
Large 7000mAh battery with 120w charging.
Beautiful and responsive 144Hz AMOLED display.
Versatile camera with OIS
Affordable price for the specs on offer
Cons
No wireless charging.
No microSD slot
No 3.5mm audio jack