iQOO Neo 10 (iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro) Review: India’s First Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Beast

The smartphone market in India is about to get a major shakeup with the launch of the iQOO Neo 10, also known globally as the iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro. This upcoming flagship is set to be the first smartphone in India powered by the brand-new Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, following the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro, which debuted this chip globally.

From its cutting-edge processor and massive battery to its vibrant design and lightning-fast charging, the iQOO Neo 10 promises a lot for tech enthusiasts. In this in-depth article, we explore the device’s unboxing experience, design, display, performance, gaming chops, camera capabilities, and more—giving you everything you need to know before its launch in India.

Unboxing the iQOO Neo 10

The iQOO Neo 10 arrives in a sleek black box, consistent with iQOO’s signature packaging style. On the box, you’ll find the phone’s RAM and storage details prominently displayed; the base variant offers 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of UFS 4.0 storage—impressive specs at this price point.

Inside the box, you get:

• The iQOO Z10 Turbo Pro smartphone

• A black silicone protective case

• A standout charger using GaN technology with 120W fast charging

• A USB Type-A to Type-C cable (yes, still Type-A, while many rivals have moved to Type-C on both ends)

The charger deserves special mention—it’s lightweight yet powerful, thanks to GaN technology, making fast charging a breeze without bulk.

Pricing and Availability

In China, the iQOO Neo 10 is priced at 2000 Yuan, roughly translating to ₹25,000 in India or AED 150 in Dubai. However, considering shipping and duties, expect the Indian pricing to land around ₹35,000 for the 12GB + 256GB variant.

This pricing is aggressive, especially considering the cutting-edge hardware packed inside. It will directly compete with phones like the Poco F7 and other mid-premium offerings.

Design and Build Quality

The first thing you notice about the iQOO Neo 10 is its vibrant and glamorous design. While the phone boasts an eye-catching aesthetic, it opts for a plastic back and plastic frame, a practical choice that keeps weight and cost in check.

• Weight: 206 grams

• Thickness: 8.1mm

What’s remarkable is how slim and light the phone feels despite packing a massive 7000mAh silicon carbon battery—a feat worth applauding.

On the hardware side:

• USB Type-C port (USB 2.0 standard)

• Dual nano-SIM tray

• Stereo speakers

• IR blaster (lets you control devices like TVs and ACs)

• Volume rocker and power button on the right

• Under-display optical fingerprint scanner, fast and responsive

The phone is rated IP65 for water and dust resistance—good, though some rivals like the Poco F7 offer IP68 and a metal-and-glass build.

Display Experience

If you’re a display snob, the iQOO Neo 10 will impress.

• Size: 6.78 inches

• Refresh Rate: 144Hz

• Resolution: Full HD+

• Peak Brightness: 4400 nits (yes, you read that right—among the brightest panels in this segment)

• Always-On Display support

The display offers an ultra-smooth experience thanks to the high refresh rate, while visual enhancement options like MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) make animations and videos even more fluid. The minimal bezels give it a near edge-to-edge look, making multimedia consumption a delight.

Performance Powerhouse

Under the hood, the iQOO Neo 10 is a beast.

• Processor: Snapdragon 8s Gen 3

• RAM: 12GB LPDDR5X

• Storage: 256GB UFS 4.0

• GPU: Adreno 825

In daily use, the performance is butter smooth—apps open instantly, animations flow seamlessly, and multitasking is effortless. Benchmarks back this up:

• AnTuTu score: ~2 million, on par with the Redmi Turbo 4 Pro and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 devices

• Geekbench multi-core score: ~6939, slightly outperforming Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 phones

• N2 storage test: ~1.5-1.6 lakh score, although slightly behind the Poco F7 (~2.5 lakh)

While the CPU performance shines, the GPU lags slightly compared to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s Adreno 750, scoring around 14,200 in GPU tests—about 7–8% slower.

Thermal and Throttle Performance

Performance is one thing, but can it hold under pressure?

The iQOO Neo 10 impressed here too:

• CPU throttle test: 84%

• GIPS performance: ~3 lakh, with consistent green graphs (no major dips)

Translation? The phone barely heats up under heavy load and maintains top-tier performance during sustained tasks like gaming or video editing.

Gaming Capabilities

For mobile gamers, this phone checks nearly every box.

In PUBG, the device supports:

• Smooth + Extreme settings

• 90fps gameplay

Even though it ships with China’s Origin OS 5.0 (India gets FunTouch OS), the phone handles demanding games smoothly. With software updates, we might see even higher settings unlocked globally.

It also packs the latest Wi-Fi standards, NFC, and Bluetooth 6.0—ahead of some flagship phones still using older Bluetooth versions.

Massive Battery, Blazing-Fast Charging

One of the biggest selling points is the 7000mAh silicon carbon battery, paired with 120W fast charging.

• 0 to 100% charge time: ~30-35 minutes

• Real-life battery life: ~1.5 to 2 days of moderate use

This combination sets the iQOO Neo 10 apart. While many phones with large batteries skimp on charging speed, this one delivers the best of both worlds.

Camera System

Here’s where things get a bit mixed.

• Main camera: 50MP Sony LYT600 sensor, f/1.8, OIS

• Ultra-wide camera: 8MP

• Front camera: 16MP, f/2.5

The main sensor offers:

• Crisp daytime shots

• Good low-light performance thanks to OIS

• Decent zoom (1x, 5x, 10x) with solid post-processing

However, colors can sometimes look off, especially in portrait mode, where skin tones may appear unnatural. The ultra-wide lens is usable but nothing extraordinary, and the 16MP selfie camera’s f/2.5 aperture is a bit narrow, which affects low-light selfies.

Final Verdict

The iQOO Neo 10 is shaping up to be a blockbuster launch in India, combining:

• A cutting-edge Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip

• A huge 7000mAh battery with 120W fast charging

• A 144Hz, ultra-bright display

• Premium design with practical choices

It’s not perfect—the camera system could use some tuning, and the GPU performance is slightly behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 rivals—but overall, it’s one of the best-balanced smartphones in its price range.

For tech enthusiasts, gamers, and power users, this phone deserves a top spot on your 2025 wishlist.

FAQs

Q: What is the expected India price of the iQOO Neo 10?
A: Around ₹35,000 for the base 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variant.

Q: Does it have a headphone jack?
A: No, it uses USB Type-C and supports wireless audio.

Q: How is the software experience?
A: The Chinese version runs Origin OS 5.0; the Indian version will come with FunTouch OS.

Q: Is it good for gaming?
A: Absolutely—Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, Adreno 825 GPU, 144Hz display, and game modes make it a gaming powerhouse.