The budget and mid-range smartphone segment has never been as exciting as it is now. With brands pushing boundaries in battery life, performance, and display technologies, consumers now expect high-end features at competitive prices. Enter the iQOO Z10 5G, a smartphone that not only delivers on core features but dares to challenge the boundaries of what's possible under the Rs. 20,000 price segment. As a tech reviewer, I've spent weeks with the device, using it as my daily driver to evaluate its real-world capabilities. Here's a comprehensive review of the iQOO Z10 5G—broken down across performance, battery, design, camera, software, and overall value.
Design & Build: Form Meets Function
At first glance, the iQOO Z10 5G doesn’t scream premium—but it does feel extremely solid. The back is made of high-quality polycarbonate with a smooth matte finish, which is fingerprint-resistant and grippy. Available in two colors—Stellar Blue and Graphite Black—the phone leans more toward practicality than fashion-forward design. It feels ergonomic in the hand, and despite packing a mammoth 7,300 mAh battery, it doesn’t feel absurdly heavy, which is a big win.
The buttons are tactile, with the power button doubling as a fingerprint sensor. The placement is intuitive, and during my testing, the fingerprint sensor was blazing fast and accurate. The USB-C port and headphone jack (yes, it still has one!) are at the bottom, alongside the single speaker. The frame may be plastic, but the build quality is consistent and offers a reassuring sturdiness that gives confidence during daily usage.
Even though the back doesn’t shimmer with glossy finishes, iQOO's decision to go for a minimal aesthetic pays off by ensuring the phone doesn’t turn into a smudge magnet. The camera module is slightly raised but not annoyingly so. In hand, the device feels secure, and its curved edges add to the overall ergonomics.
Verdict on Design: Sturdy, functional, and surprisingly lightweight for its battery size. It’s not a showstopper, but it won’t disappoint you either.
Display: Large, Smooth & Satisfying
The Z10 5G features a 6.77-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Now, while it doesn’t use an LTPO panel, the refresh rate switching is smart enough to conserve battery when needed. The display is bright enough for outdoor usage, with peak brightness around 900 nits.
Colors are vivid, blacks are deep (thanks to AMOLED), and the touch response is fluid. Watching YouTube, Netflix, and even playing games on this panel was a treat. The bezels are slim, and the punch-hole selfie camera is unobtrusive. The panel supports Widevine L1 certification, which means Full HD streaming is available from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
iQOO has also added software features like Eye Protection Mode and Color Mode adjustment, so you can fine-tune the display for reading or watching. While the color calibration out of the box leans toward saturated tones, it’s adjustable via the settings.
Verdict on Display: Impressive display with buttery-smooth visuals, sharp colors, and great outdoor readability.
Performance: Mid-Range Monster
Under the hood, the iQOO Z10 5G runs on the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, a mid-range chipset built on a 4nm process. Paired with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, the phone handles multitasking, light gaming, and day-to-day apps effortlessly.
I threw everything at it—from photo editing in Snapseed to 30-minute sessions in Call of Duty: Mobile—and it barely stuttered. Thermals are well-controlled, thanks to an extended vapor chamber cooling system. Benchmarks are one thing, but real-life usage is where the Z10 5G shines. The app launch times are quick, RAM management is solid, and background apps don’t frequently reload.
Gaming on high settings is possible, but the phone smartly defaults to medium settings for most demanding titles to preserve battery and performance. Thanks to iQOO Game Boost mode, frame rates remained consistent. Titles like BGMI, Asphalt 9, and Genshin Impact run without any significant frame drops.
Additionally, iQOO includes virtual RAM expansion up to 8GB, which can give you a temporary boost when multitasking with multiple heavy apps. While it’s not a replacement for physical RAM, the feature certainly helps in daily use.
Verdict on Performance: Outstanding for its price. Whether it’s gaming, productivity, or day-to-day tasks, the Z10 5G handles it all with finesse.
Battery: The Standout Hero
Here’s where the Z10 5G truly becomes a beast. 7,300 mAh—yes, you read that right. That’s bigger than most power banks people carry! On moderate usage, this phone lasted me close to two full days. Streaming videos, calling, texting, emails, social media, and light gaming barely made a dent.
Even with heavy use, including hours of gaming, video recording, and 5G data usage, the battery still got me through a full day and a half. It’s a reliable performer, and for anyone who hates battery anxiety, this phone is practically a dream.
Charging is fast too—90W FlashCharge can juice up the battery from 0 to 50% in just under 30 minutes. A full charge takes just over an hour. iQOO includes the fast charger in the box, a rarity nowadays, and the charger is also BIS-certified for safety.
Verdict on Battery: Unmatched endurance in its class. Easily one of the biggest USPs of the Z10.
Camera: Surprisingly Capable
The camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor with OIS and a 2MP depth sensor. There’s no ultra-wide or telephoto, but for the basics, the Z10 performs better than expected.
In daylight, images are crisp, color-accurate, and detailed. The dynamic range is decent, and the OIS helps in stabilizing shots, especially in low-light conditions. Night mode does an acceptable job, though there’s some noise. The AI scene recognition works quietly in the background, adjusting white balance and contrast without making the photo look artificial.
Portrait mode is surprisingly decent. Edge detection isn’t flawless but manages to blur backgrounds well enough for social media-worthy shots. Video recording maxes out at 1080p 60fps with decent stabilization. The lack of 4K might disappoint some, but it's not a dealbreaker at this price.
The 16MP front camera delivers sharp selfies, with natural skin tones. It also supports Full HD video at 30fps, which is decent for video calls and vlogging.
Verdict on Camera: Good primary shooter, average night performance, but gets the job done for most users. Not a camera phone, but definitely not a poor performer.
Software & UI: Clean and Fast
iQOO Z10 5G runs on Funtouch OS 15, based on Android 15. The UI is simple, clean, and snappy. There are a few pre-installed apps, but most can be uninstalled. You get features like extended RAM, App Clone, Ultra Game Mode, and dynamic theming.
Funtouch OS has come a long way from its earlier iterations, with smoother animations and better battery optimization. The UI remains highly customizable—you can change the icon styles, transition animations, and even tweak the always-on display. Dark Mode and Focus Mode add to the usability.
Software updates are promised for 2 years of Android upgrades and 3 years of security patches, which is fair in this segment. The UI doesn’t feel bloated, and animations are smooth. During my review period, I received two minor updates, indicating active support from iQOO.
Verdict on Software: Clean UI with useful features and regular updates. Not as polished as Pixel UI, but far from frustrating.
Connectivity & Audio: 5G Ready and Reliable
Call quality was crystal clear on both Jio and Airtel networks. It supports dual 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and has all essential sensors including a gyroscope and compass. GPS locking is fast, and navigation is accurate. There's also VoNR (Voice over 5G) support, which future-proofs the phone further.
There’s a single bottom-firing speaker, which gets adequately loud. It's not stereo, but clarity is decent. For content consumption, it works fine, though audiophiles might miss richer sound output. Thankfully, the inclusion of a headphone jack is a win for wired audio fans.
The vibration motor is average—not flagship-level, but serviceable for typing and notifications. Haptics could have been slightly stronger, especially for gaming.
Verdict on Connectivity: Fully equipped for future-proof use. Stable 5G, good Wi-Fi reception, and no major compromises.
Who Should Buy the iQOO Z10 5G?
Students who want great performance and long battery for classes, notes, and YouTube.
Budget Gamers looking for smooth gameplay and decent thermal management.
Working professionals who prioritize battery life and fast performance.
Frequent travelers who don’t want to carry power banks everywhere.
First-time smartphone users or seniors, due to its simple UI and massive endurance.
What Could Be Better?
Lack of ultra-wide or macro camera
No stereo speakers
No official IP rating (some water resistance would be great)
Plastic build may not appeal to everyone
Conclusion: Should You Buy It?
Absolutely—if you’re looking for a phone that prioritizes performance and battery life, the iQOO Z10 5G is an outstanding choice. It may not have the fanciest design or a triple-camera setup, but what it offers is reliability, speed, and value.
This phone isn’t trying to be everything for everyone—it’s focused, polished, and incredibly dependable. In a segment flooded with gimmicks, the Z10 offers core features that actually matter. Whether it’s the blazing-fast charging, fluid AMOLED display, or the sheer convenience of going two days without plugging in, the Z10 5G delivers beyond expectations.
It may not turn heads in a crowd, but it’ll serve you reliably every day—and that’s what makes it one of the best-value smartphones in 2025.
Final Ratings:
Design: 8/10
Display: 9/10
Performance: 9/10
Battery Life: 10/10
Camera: 7.5/10
Software: 8.5/10
Value for Money: 9.5/10
Overall Score: 8.8/10
Visit official Website for more information:-
Note:- Information given can change in respective of time so cross check it from official website
Any Budget realme phone under 20-25k
ReplyDeleteyes , there are many we will definitely write about it shortly
Delete