The iQOO Neo10: A Speed Demon With Compromises You Might Actually Like
Let’s get one thing straight: This phone isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. The iQOO Neo10 is like that friend who shows up to a party wearing sneakers with a suit – a little quirky, but you know exactly what they’re here for. In this case? Raw performance and battery life that laughs in the face of your charger.
The Engine Under the Hood
That Snapdragon 8 Gen3 chipset isn’t just a spec sheet flex. Picture this: You’re switching between Google Maps, Spotify, and a YouTube tutorial while rushing to a meeting. The Neo10 handles it like you’re flipping through a magazine – no stutters, no “please wait” prayers. Gaming? Let’s just say Genshin Impact at max settings feels like butter on a hot knife. The active cooling system (a rare find at this price) means you won’t get third-degree burns after an hour-long session.
The 144Hz AMOLED display is where things get interesting. Scrolling through TikTok feels like dragging your finger through liquid mercury – but here’s the kicker. That 2160Hz PWM dimming? It’s like having night mode actually work. I binged three episodes of The Last of Us in bed without feeling like I’d stared into the Ark of the Covenant.
The Battery That Refuses to Die
6100mAh. Let that number sink in. I unplugged at 7AM, streamed music during my commute, took 63 photos at a client site, and still had 30% left by midnight. When you do need juice, the 120W charger takes you from “oh crap” to 50% in 12 minutes. It’s so fast I started timing it against my microwave – the phone won.
Camera: Good Enough Isn’t Great
Here’s where the tradeoffs show. The main 50MP Sony sensor takes daylight shots that’ll make your Instagram followers think you hired a photographer. But that 8MP ultrawide? It’s like they forgot to finish developing it. Low-light shots get grainy faster than a 90s home video. The selfie cam’s fine for Zoom calls, but don’t expect TikTok glamor shots without some serious ring light help.
The Quirks You’ll Either Love or Hate
- Design: The leather back variant feels like a luxury wallet, but at 206g, it’s got some heft. IP64 means it’ll survive a coffee spill, not a pool party.
- Software: OriginOS 5 on Android 15 is… different. The app drawer’s hidden by default, and the notification shade has more steps than a Broadway dance routine. Great for tinkerers, annoying for minimalists.
- Missing Pieces: No Google Services out of the box (big deal outside China), no wireless charging, and that notification LED? Gone. You’ll be picking up the phone to check messages like it’s 2012.
Who’s This For?
Buy it if: You’re a power user who needs a phone that won’t quit during back-to-back meetings, commutes, and gaming sessions. It’s the Swiss Army knife for people who prioritize endurance over elegance.
Skip it if: You’re a photography buff or want a “pure” Android experience. The camera setup’s uneven, and OriginOS has a learning curve steeper than a Black Diamond ski run.
The Bottom Line
At around €425, the Neo10 punches way above its weight class in performance and battery life. It’s like getting a gaming PC stuffed into a phone body – rough around the edges, but thrilling where it counts.
Would I Use It?
Honestly? I’m torn. As someone who lives on their phone during travel days, that battery and Snapdragon combo is irresistible. But I’d miss wireless charging during airport layovers, and I’d need to sideload Google apps every time I reset the device. If you can live with those quirks (and maybe keep a power bank for emergencies), it’s a steal. For everyone else? Wait for the global version – if it ever comes.
