iQOO Neo 10R: The Best Budget Gaming Smartphone for Gamers?
If you’re a competitive mobile gamer or looking for a high-performance gaming phone within a budget, this review will help you determine whether the iQOO Neo 10R is the right choice for you.
iQOO Neo 10R Specifications
At the core of the iQOO Neo 10R lies the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 4nm flagship chipset that ensures high frame rates and exceptional power efficiency. This is complemented by LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage, delivering lag-free gaming, faster app loading, and consistent frame rates in demanding titles like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact.
With an AnTuTu score of approximately 1.7 million and Geekbench scores of 1500 (single-core) and 4800 (multi-core), it surpasses rivals like the Nothing Phone 3a and OnePlus 10R, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers.
iQOO Neo 10R Display
A high refresh rate is crucial for gamers, and the iQOO Neo 10R impresses with its 6.78-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, featuring a 144Hz refresh rate for ultra-smooth visuals and a 2000Hz instant touch sampling rate for lightning-fast responsiveness. HDR10+ support enhances colors and contrasts, ensuring stunning visuals whether you’re sniping in COD Mobile or racing in Asphalt 9.
Advanced Cooling System for Extended Gaming Sessions
Overheating is a common issue in gaming smartphones, but the iQOO Neo 10R effectively tackles this with its Ultra Large VC Cooling System. It includes a 5,000mm² vapor chamber, a graphene cooling layer, and AI-based temperature control, keeping thermals in check even during intense gaming.
In real-world tests, it delivers stable 60 FPS in Genshin Impact for 30 minutes with minimal heating and maintains 90 FPS in BGMI Ultra HD settings without performance throttling. This ensures longer, uninterrupted gaming sessions without frame drops.
Iqoo neo 10R Camera
Rear Camera: 50MP Sony IMX primary sensor + 8MP ultra-wide
Front Camera: 16MP selfie camera
The 50MP main sensor captures sharp and detailed images, while the 8MP ultra-wide lens ensures versatility. The 16MP front camera delivers decent selfies, though not at a flagship level.
Camera Features:
- 4K 60FPS video recording
- EIS stabilization for smooth videos
- Super Night Mode for low-light photography
While it's not a camera-centric phone, it still performs well for casual photography and social media content creation.
iQOO Neo 10R battery
A 6400mAh battery powers the iQOO Neo 10R, providing up to 7 hours of gaming on medium settings. More impressively, it supports 80W fast charging, which can recharge 50% of the battery in just 10 minutes.
This is significantly faster than competitors like the OnePlus 10R (80W) and the Nothing Phone 3a (45W), ensuring minimal downtime between gaming sessions.
iQOO Neo 10RPerformance
iQOO has integrated several gaming-focused features into the Neo 10R, making it a true gaming machine. The Monster Touch Triggers act as shoulder buttons for FPS games, enhancing reaction speed. The 4D Game Vibration adds an immersive experience to racing and shooting games, while Game Frame Interpolation boosts frame rates in demanding titles.
These pro-level gaming features are rarely found in budget smartphones, making the iQOO Neo 10R a standout choice for serious mobile gamers.
Iqoo neo 10R Price & Launch (Expected Variants & Pricing)
8GB RAM + 128GB Storage = 29,999
12GB RAM + 256GB Storage = 32,999
With these price points, the iQOO Neo 10R competes directly with the OnePlus Nord 3, Nothing Phone 3a, and POCO F5, while delivering a better gaming experience.
What’s Not So Great? (Cons & Drawbacks)
While the iQOO Neo 10R delivers outstanding performance, there are a few downsides. It lacks wireless charging, which some users might expect in a gaming phone. There is also no official IP rating for water and dust resistance, making it less durable in extreme conditions. Additionally, iQOO’s UI optimization needs improvement, as some users have reported minor software glitches. However, these drawbacks are not deal-breakers if gaming performance is your top priority.
Final Verdict: Is iQOO Neo 10R the Best Budget Gaming Phone?
For gamers looking for flagship-level performance at a budget-friendly price, the iQOO Neo 10R is undoubtedly one of the best choices in 2024. With its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 144Hz AMOLED display, advanced cooling system, and 100W fast charging, it outperforms competitors like the Nothing Phone 3a and OnePlus 10R.
Who Should Buy It?
The iQOO Neo 10R is ideal for hardcore gamers who need high FPS and smooth gameplay, content creators looking for a powerful phone, and users who want flagship-level performance without spending a fortune.
Who Should Skip It?
If you require wireless charging or an official IP rating, or if you prefer a clean, bloat-free UI like stock Android, this phone may not be the best choice for you.
Final Thoughts: Worth the Hype?
The iQOO Neo 10R delivers flagship gaming performance at an unbeatable price, making it one of the best budget gaming smartphones in 2025. While it lacks some premium features like wireless charging, its powerful chipset, immersive display, and superior cooling system make it a must-buy for mobile gamers.
👉 Would you buy the iQOO Neo 10R? Let us know in the comments