iQOO Neo 10R vs. Poco F6 vs. Poco X7 Pro: Which Performance Beast Under ₹30,000 Reigns Supreme?
In the bustling mid-range smartphone market of 2025, three contenders—the iQOO Neo 10R, Poco F6, and Poco X7 Pro—stand tall as performance juggernauts, all priced under ₹30,000 in India. These devices promise raw power, sleek designs, and cutting-edge features, making it a tough call for buyers seeking the ultimate bang for their buck. But fear not—after diving deep into their specs, design, performance, and real-world usability, one phone emerges as the clear champion. Curious to find out which one it is? Let’s break it down.
Design and Build: Style Meets Substance
All three phones sport polycarbonate builds to keep costs in check, but they each bring a distinct flavor to the table. The Poco X7 Pro mimics a glass-like finish, though it’s a fingerprint magnet—a downside for those who value a pristine look. In contrast, the iQOO Neo 10R and Poco F6 embrace matte plastic finishes that feel unapologetically authentic and resist smudges. The F6 takes the lead in ergonomics, being the lightest of the trio with a subtle curve for a comfy grip—ideal for long gaming sessions. However, its smaller battery might explain that featherweight feel, which we’ll explore later.
For durability, the Poco F6 shines with Gorilla Glass Victus, outclassing the Gorilla Glass 7i on the X7 Pro and the Schott Xensation Up on the Neo 10R. Meanwhile, the X7 Pro boasts IP68 and IP69 ratings for top-tier water and dust resistance, followed by the Neo 10R’s IP65 and the F6’s IP64. Add in dual nano-SIM trays, infrared blasters, and USB 2.0 ports across all three, and you’ve got a solid foundation—though USB 3.1 would’ve been a nice perk for these performance-driven devices.
Display: A Visual Feast for Every User
The trio shares AMOLED displays with 1.5K resolution, but they’re not created equal. The iQOO Neo 10R flaunts the largest panel and a blazing 144Hz refresh rate—perfect for buttery-smooth scrolling and gaming, though it comes with a slight catch we’ll address shortly. The Poco X7 Pro counters with a peak HBM brightness of 1,400 nits, edging out the 1,200 nits on the Neo 10R and F6 for better visibility in sunlight. Poco phones also bring Dolby Vision and Atmos support, giving them a multimedia edge, while the Neo 10R impresses with superior HDR gradation, delivering flagship-grade highlights and shadows.
For flicker-sensitive users, all three offer high PWM dimming, with the Neo 10R leading the pack—a surprising win over many pricier flagships. Touch response is snappy across the board, with the Neo 10R’s 240Hz default sampling rate (up to 480Hz in game mode) rivaling the Poco duo’s 480Hz. Haptic feedback, however, is where iQOO steals the show—its tight, crisp vibrations outshine the softer feedback on the Poco models.
Also Check: Xiaomi 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S25 - Which Compact Phone Should You Buy in 2025 in India?
Performance: Powerhouses Face Off
Under the hood, the iQOO Neo 10R and Poco F6 pack the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, while the Poco X7 Pro flexes the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra. The X7 Pro dominates multi-core benchmarks and 3D Mark GPU stability, hitting 51°C under load, but the F6’s 8s Gen 3 offers better single-core grunt and CPU throttle stability. The Neo 10R strikes a balance with efficient thermal management and minimal battery drain.
Gaming tells a compelling story: the Neo 10R and F6 support 90 FPS in BGMI (with 120 FPS on the horizon), while the X7 Pro lags at 60 FPS despite its capable chip. In Genshin Impact at max settings, the Neo 10R shines with a near-perfect 59.8 FPS average, leaving the Poco duo in the dust. Ray tracing tests favor the Dimensity 8400 Ultra, but for most gamers, the Neo 10R’s tuning delivers a standout experience.
Battery and Charging: Endurance Meets Speed
Battery life is a game-changer here. The X7 Pro’s 6,550mAh pack promises longevity but delivers 7.5–8 hours of screen-on time (SoT). The F6’s 5,000mAh battery manages 6 hours with its 90W fast charging as a saving grace. Then there’s the Neo 10R—its 6,400mAh battery defies expectations, offering 11–12 hours of SoT, making it the endurance king. Its 80W charging isn’t the fastest, but a full charge in under an hour paired with that stamina is hard to beat.
Camera: Capturing the Moment
All three wield similar camera setups: a 50MP Sony IMX882 (or rebranded Leia 600) primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and varying selfie cams. The Neo 10R’s algorithms shine brightest, delivering natural colors, stellar HDR, and better portrait segmentation. The Poco duo oversharpens images, with the F6 and X7 Pro struggling with greens, reds, and skin tones—especially darker shades. Selfies and 4K 60 FPS video also favor the Neo 10R for detail and audio quality, though its ultrawide softens under scrutiny like its rivals.
Software: A Mixed Bag
Running Android 15, the Neo 10R’s Funtouch OS 15 offers 3+4 years of updates with handy AI tools like Circle to Search and image editing. The Poco pair’s HyperOS 2.0 (F6: 2+3 years; X7 Pro: 3+4 years) leans into customization and slick animations but carries more bloat. Neither matches the polish of Nothing or OnePlus, so your pick depends on whether you prioritize utility or flair.
Specs at a Glance
Feature | iQOO Neo 10R | Poco F6 | Poco X7 Pro |
---|---|---|---|
Build | Matte plastic, Schott Xensation Up | Matte plastic, Gorilla Glass Victus | Plastic (glass-like), Gorilla Glass 7i |
IP Rating | IP65 | IP64 | IP68/IP69 |
Display | 6.78" AMOLED, 144Hz, 1.5K, 1,200 nits | 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, 1.5K, 1,200 nits | 6.67" AMOLED, 120Hz, 1.5K, 1,400 nits |
Processor | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra |
Gaming | 59.8 FPS (Genshin), 90 FPS (BGMI) | 90 FPS (BGMI) | 60 FPS (BGMI) |
Battery | 6,400mAh, 80W charging | 5,000mAh, 90W charging | 6,550mAh, 90W charging |
Screen-on Time | 11–12 hours | 6 hours | 7.5–8 hours |
Camera | 50MP (IMX882) + 8MP, 32MP selfie | 50MP (IMX882) + 8MP, 20MP selfie | 50MP (Leia 600) + 8MP, 20MP selfie |
Software | Funtouch OS 15, 3+4 years | HyperOS 2.0, 2+3 years | HyperOS 2.0, 3+4 years |
Price Range | ₹25,000–₹30,000 | Cheapest (est. ₹22,000–₹25,000) | ₹27,000–₹30,000 |
Verdict: The King of the Mid-Range Jungle
Price seals the deal. The Poco F6 is the cheapest but feels dated with the F7 looming. The X7 Pro, while feature-rich, falls short in battery and camera finesse. At under ₹25,000–₹30,000 (depending on variant), the iQOO Neo 10R nails it with exceptional battery life, gaming prowess, and camera versatility—making it the standout choice for performance enthusiasts on a budget. iQOO has crafted a winner that’s tough to ignore.
So, ready to snag the ultimate mid-range marvel? The iQOO Neo 10R awaits.
Poco F6 is better.
ReplyDelete