Introduction
Launched in early 2025, the iQOO Z10x 5G enters India’s competitive mid-range 5G phone market with a promise of solid performance, long battery life, and capable cameras at a starting price of around ₹13,999. It targets value-conscious students, mobile gamers, and everyday users who need reliability without crossing the ₹15,000 mark.
Quick Verdict: iQOO Z10x 5G delivers powerful Snapdragon performance, a fluid display, and all-day battery life, making it a strong mid-range contender.
Unboxing & First Impressions
Inside the iQOO-branded box:
- iQOO Z10x 5G handset
- 44W fast charger
- USB Type-C to A cable
- SIM ejector tool
- Soft TPU case
- Quick start guide & warranty card
The first touch feels reassuring. The phone is lightweight, sleek, and has a subtle gradient finish on the back. The inclusion of a quality case and fast charger is a plus.
Design & Build Quality
- Back: Glossy polycarbonate finish
- Frame: Plastic
- Colors: Sonic Blue, Midnight Black
- Weight: ~190g
- Thickness: 8.3mm
- IP Rating: None officially, but has water-repellent design
The design is modern and appealing. Fingerprint smudges are visible but manageable. The phone feels balanced and sturdy enough for daily use, though the all-plastic build might feel less premium to some.
Display
- Size: 6.64 inches
- Resolution: Full HD+ (2388 x 1080)
- Panel: IPS LCD
- Refresh Rate: 120Hz
- Touch Sampling Rate: 240Hz
- Brightness: ~650 nits peak
- HDR: No HDR certification
Though not AMOLED, the LCD is one of the better ones in this range. Color reproduction is natural, the 120Hz refresh rate feels smooth, and touch response is crisp. Sunlight readability is adequate but not flagship-grade.
Performance & Benchmarks
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 (4nm)
- CPU: Octa-core (4x Cortex-A78 @ 2.2GHz + 4x Cortex-A55 @ 1.8GHz)
- GPU: Adreno 710
- RAM: 6GB / 8GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2
- AnTuTu v10: ~470,000
- Geekbench 6: ~880 single-core, ~2200 multi-core
- CPU Throttling Test: Maintained ~88% sustained performance after 15 minutes
Real-world usage: Apps launch quickly, and multitasking is fluid. You can switch between 8–10 apps without reloads. UFS 2.2 isn’t the fastest, but performance is still snappy.
Gaming Experience
We tested it with popular titles:
- BGMI / PUBG New State: Smooth + Ultra (40-45 FPS stable)
- Call of Duty: Mobile: High graphics + Max frame rate (55-60 FPS)
- Asphalt 9: Smooth, minimal stutter
- Genshin Impact: Low-medium settings, 30-35 FPS
Thermal management is solid. The device maxed at ~41.5°C after an hour of gaming. The Ultra Game Mode optimizes performance, blocks calls, and shows system metrics in-game.
Software & UI
- OS: Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14
- Bloatware: ~8 pre-installed apps (Hot Apps, EasyShare, etc.)
- Ads: None intrusive
- Notable Features: RAM expansion (up to 8GB), Smart Motion, App Clone
- Updates: 2 Android OS + 3 years security patch (iQOO commitment)
Funtouch OS has matured, and animations are smoother. Multitasking and background app retention are efficient. UI can feel slightly heavy for minimalists.
Camera System
- Rear:
- 50MP primary (Samsung JN1 sensor, f/1.8, PDAF)
- 2MP depth sensor
- Front: 8MP selfie, f/2.0
- Video:
- Rear: 1080p @ 30fps (no 4K)
- Front: 1080p @ 30fps
- EIS: Yes (basic stabilization)
Camera Samples & Analysis
- Daylight: Sharp, well-detailed shots with good dynamic range
- Portraits: Excellent subject separation; depth sensor helps
- Night Mode: Usable, but softens textures
- Selfies: Acceptable in good light; soft in low light
- Video: Stable and natural in daylight; average in low light
No ultra-wide is a drawback, but the main sensor delivers consistent results.
Battery Life & Charging
- Capacity: 5000mAh
- Charging: 44W FlashCharge
- 0–50%: ~28 minutes
- 0–100%: ~65 minutes
- Screen-on-time (SOT):
- Light use: 9–10 hours
- Gaming/mixed: 6–7 hours
Charging remains cool; the AI-based charging adapts over time to reduce battery wear. Battery easily lasts a full day for moderate to heavy users.
Audio & Haptics
- Speakers: Mono (bottom-firing)
- 3.5mm Jack: Yes
- Bluetooth: v5.2; supports AAC, SBC
- Loudness: ~89dB peak
- Vibration Motor: Standard linear motor (average feedback)
Audio clarity is decent for video and casual gaming. A stereo setup would’ve been better. Wired headphone users will appreciate the 3.5mm jack.
Connectivity & Network
- 5G Bands (India): N1, N3, N5, N8, N28, N38, N40, N41, N77, N78
- Carrier Aggregation: Yes
- Dual SIM: Yes (5G + 5G standby)
- Wi-Fi: Dual-band Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth: 5.2
- NFC: No
- GPS: Lock is fast and accurate
We had no issues with 4G+/5G speeds or call quality on Jio and Airtel.
Security
- Fingerprint Sensor: Side-mounted, capacitive
- Face Unlock: Reliable, quick under good lighting
The fingerprint scanner is fast and responsive. Face unlock is decent but struggles in low light.
Durability & Extras
- Screen Protection: Panda Glass
- Frame Strength: Durable plastic
- IR Blaster: No
- Water Resistance: Splash-resistant (unofficial)
- Sensors: Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity, ambient light
- Warranty: 1 year standard; iQOO has expanding service centers in Tier 2/3 cities
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Smooth 120Hz display | No AMOLED display |
| Solid Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC | No ultra-wide camera |
| Excellent battery life | Mono speaker |
| Clean, near bloat-free UI | No NFC, No 4K video recording |
| Competitive pricing | Plastic build |
Competitor Comparison
| Feature | iQOO Z10x 5G | Redmi 13 5G | Narzo 70 5G | Samsung M36 5G | Poco M7 Pro |
| Display | LCD 120Hz | LCD 90Hz | AMOLED 120Hz | AMOLED 90Hz | LCD 120Hz |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 | Dimensity 6100+ | Dimensity 7050 | Exynos 1330 | Dimensity 6100+ |
| Camera | 50MP + 2MP | 50MP + 2MP | 64MP + 2MP | 50MP + 2MP | 64MP + 2MP |
| Battery + Charging | 5000mAh + 44W | 5000mAh + 18W | 5000mAh + 45W | 6000mAh + 25W | 5000mAh + 33W |
| Audio | Mono + jack | Mono + jack | Stereo + jack | Stereo + no jack | Stereo + no jack |
Category Winners:
- Display: Narzo 70 (AMOLED), Samsung M36
- Performance: iQOO Z10x > Poco M7/Redmi 13
- Battery: Samsung M36 (6000mAh)
- Camera: Narzo 70
- Charging: Narzo 70 / iQOO Z10x
Who Should Buy / Who Should Skip
Buy if you are:
- A student or young gamer looking for a reliable performer
- A user needing 5G with long battery life
- Someone who values clean UI, charging speed, and display fluidity
Skip if you are:
- A content creator or vlogger (no 4K recording or ultra-wide)
- An AMOLED lover who can’t compromise on contrast
- Someone needing NFC or stereo audio
Final Verdict
Rating: 8.3/10
The iQOO Z10x 5G stands out in its class with the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset, smooth 120Hz display, and all-day battery. While it lacks some bells and whistles like AMOLED or stereo sound, it delivers where it matters.
Verdict: Buy if you want a no-nonsense, performance-focused 5G phone under ₹15,000.
FAQs
1. Does iQOO Z10x support carrier aggregation?
Yes, it supports CA for enhanced mobile data speeds.
2. How many 5G bands does the Z10x support?
It supports over 10 5G bands including n1, n3, n5, n28, n78, etc.
3. What is the gaming performance like?
Smooth 50-60 FPS in most titles like COD Mobile and BGMI.
4. Is a charger included in the box?
Yes, a 44W FlashCharge adapter is included.
5. Does the camera have OIS or 4K video?
No, it supports EIS and maxes out at 1080p @ 30fps.
6. Is there an AMOLED display?
No, it features a high-quality LCD panel with 120Hz refresh rate.
7. How long does the battery last?
Easily a full day with 6–10 hours of screen-on-time depending on usage.
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