The sub-Rs 30,000 smartphone market in India is buzzing with powerful options, and three devices stand out as performance beasts: the iQOO Neo 10R, Poco F6, and Poco X7 Pro. These phones promise top-notch performance, vibrant displays, and impressive battery life, all at budget-friendly prices. But choosing the right one can be tricky with so many similarities and a few key differences. In this article, we’ll dive deep into their design, display, performance, cameras, battery, and software to help you decide which phone is worth your money. By the end, you’ll know which one stands out and whether it’s the right pick for you.
Design and Build: Premium Features on a Budget
All three phones—iQOO Neo 10R, Poco F6, and Poco X7 Pro—use polycarbonate backs to keep costs low, but their design approaches differ. The Poco X7 Pro tries to mimic glass with its glossy finish, but it’s a fingerprint magnet, which can be annoying for daily use. In contrast, the iQOO Neo 10R and Poco F6 embrace matte plastic backs, which feel unapologetically practical and resist smudges. The Poco F6 takes a slight edge here as it’s the lightest, making it more comfortable to hold for long periods. The iQOO Neo 10R also has a subtle curve for better grip, adding to its ergonomic appeal.
When it comes to durability, the Poco F6 shines with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, offering better scratch resistance than the Poco X7 Pro’s Gorilla Glass 7i or the iQOO Neo 10R’s Schott Sensation Up glass. However, the Poco X7 Pro stands out with IP68 and IP69 ratings, making it highly resistant to water and dust. The iQOO Neo 10R offers IP65 protection, while the Poco F6 has IP64, meaning the X7 Pro is the best choice for those worried about accidental spills or rain.
All three phones include dual nano-SIM trays, infrared blasters for controlling appliances, and USB 2.0 ports. While USB 3.1 would’ve been nice for faster data transfer, it’s a reasonable compromise at this price. Overall, the Poco X7 Pro’s water resistance and the Poco F6’s premium glass protection give them an edge, but the iQOO Neo 10R’s practical matte finish makes it a strong contender for everyday use.
Display: Vibrant AMOLEDs with Subtle Differences
The iQOO Neo 10R, Poco F6, and Poco X7 Pro all feature 1.5K AMOLED displays, delivering sharp visuals and deep blacks. However, there are differences that could sway your decision. The iQOO Neo 10R has the largest 6.78-inch panel with a 144Hz refresh rate, making it the smoothest for gaming and scrolling. The Poco F6 and X7 Pro, with 6.67-inch displays and 120Hz refresh rates, are still smooth but slightly less fluid.
Brightness is another factor. The Poco X7 Pro leads with 1,400 nits of HBM (High Brightness Mode), compared to 1,200 nits on the iQOO Neo 10R and Poco F6. However, the iQOO Neo 10R claims a peak brightness of 4,500 nits for HDR content, which makes it stand out for watching Netflix or YouTube videos. In real-world tests, all three perform similarly under direct sunlight, but the iQOO’s HDR gradation is exceptional, offering flagship-like control over highlights and shadows.
The Poco F6 and X7 Pro support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, enhancing the multimedia experience, especially for streaming. The iQOO Neo 10R supports HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision, though its display still looks premium. For eye comfort, all three offer high PWM dimming to reduce flicker, with the iQOO Neo 10R leading at 3,840Hz. If you’re sensitive to screen flicker, this could be a deciding factor.
The iQOO Neo 10R’s larger, smoother display and superior HDR make it the best for media consumption, but the Poco phones’ Dolby Vision support is a bonus for streaming enthusiasts.
Performance: Power-Packed Processors for Gaming
Performance is where these phones truly shine, and each brings something unique to the table. The iQOO Neo 10R and Poco F6 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, while the Poco X7 Pro uses the MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra. All three pair their chipsets with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.0 storage (UFS 3.1 in the iQOO Neo 10R’s 128GB variant), ensuring fast app launches and multitasking.
In benchmark tests, the Poco X7 Pro’s Dimensity 8400 Ultra takes the lead in multi-core performance, making it ideal for heavy tasks like video editing or gaming. However, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the iQOO Neo 10R and Poco F6 excels in single-core tasks, which benefits apps like social media and browsers. In CPU throttle tests, the Poco F6 shows better stability, retaining performance during prolonged use, while the iQOO Neo 10R follows closely. The Poco X7 Pro, despite its raw power, throttles slightly more under stress.
For gaming, the iQOO Neo 10R stands out. In Genshin Impact at max settings, it delivered a near-perfect 59.8 FPS, outperforming both Poco phones. The iQOO’s Ultra Game Mode, with features like a 90fps mode for BGMI, a 2,000Hz touch sampling rate, and a 4D vibration motor, makes it a gamer’s delight. The Poco X7 Pro also performs well but runs hotter (up to 51°C) and lacks 90fps support in BGMI. The Poco F6, while stable, drains the battery faster during gaming.
The iQOO Neo 10R’s gaming performance, combined with better thermal management, makes it the top choice for gamers, though the Poco X7 Pro is a close second for raw power.
Camera: iQOO Takes the Lead
All three phones feature similar camera setups: a 50MP primary sensor (Sony IMX882 or LYT600), an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and front cameras with varying resolutions (32MP on iQOO Neo 10R, 20MP on Poco F6, and 20MP on Poco X7 Pro). Despite the similarities, the iQOO Neo 10R’s superior algorithms make it the best for photography.
In daylight, the iQOO Neo 10R captures sharper details and more natural colors, thanks to its Natural Color Mode. The Poco X7 Pro tends to oversharpen images, while both Poco phones struggle with greens and reds, making their colors less accurate. For HDR, the iQOO Neo 10R excels, balancing highlights and shadows better than the Poco F6 and X7 Pro.
Portrait shots are another win for the iQOO Neo 10R, with more natural bokeh and better edge detection. The Poco phones’ portraits look slightly artificial. For selfies, the iQOO’s 32MP front camera delivers brighter, more detailed shots, especially in low light, while the Poco X7 Pro’s 20MP sensor lacks detail.
In low-light conditions, the iQOO Neo 10R outperforms the Poco X7 Pro, capturing better visibility and details, though the X7 Pro is slightly better than the Poco F6. The ultra-wide cameras on all three are average, with soft details and distortion, but the iQOO Neo 10R’s colors are more social media-ready.
For videos, the iQOO Neo 10R supports 4K 60fps recording with excellent stabilization and audio quality, outshining the Poco phones. It also offers 4K 30fps selfie videos, while the Poco F6 and X7 Pro are limited to 1080p.
If photography and videography are priorities, the iQOO Neo 10R is the clear winner, offering better colors, details, and versatility.
Battery Life and Charging: iQOO’s Endurance Edge
Battery life is a crucial factor, and these phones don’t disappoint. The Poco X7 Pro has the largest battery at 6,550mAh, followed by the iQOO Neo 10R with 6,400mAh, and the Poco F6 with 5,000mAh. However, real-world tests tell a different story.
The iQOO Neo 10R lasts the longest, offering 11-12 hours of screen-on time, making it ideal for heavy users. In PCMark battery tests, it clocked 23 hours and 17 minutes, outlasting the Poco X7 Pro (under 20 hours) and Poco F6. For gaming, the iQOO Neo 10R is more efficient, losing only 17% battery after a 90-minute session, compared to 20% for the Poco X7 Pro.
Charging speeds vary slightly. The Poco X7 Pro’s 90W charger is the fastest, fully charging in about 45 minutes. The iQOO Neo 10R’s 80W charger takes around 56 minutes, while the Poco F6’s 90W charger is quick but limited by its smaller battery. For most users, the charging speed difference is negligible, but the iQOO Neo 10R’s superior battery life makes it the best overall.
Software: A Mixed Bag
Software can make or break a phone’s experience, and these devices have their strengths and weaknesses. The iQOO Neo 10R runs Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, promising 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. The Poco X7 Pro also runs HyperOS 2.0 on Android 15 with the same update promise, while the Poco F6, being older, offers 2 OS updates and 3 years of security patches.
Funtouch OS 15 on the iQOO Neo 10R is cleaner, with less bloatware and useful AI features like Circle to Search, AI Note Assist, and AI Object Eraser. HyperOS 2.0 on the Poco phones offers more customization and smoother animations but comes with noticeable bloatware. For a polished experience, Funtouch OS feels more practical, but HyperOS appeals to those who love tweaking their phone’s look.
None of these phones offer the premium software experience of Nothing or OnePlus, but the iQOO Neo 10R’s cleaner UI and longer update support give it a slight edge.
Specification Comparison Table
| Feature | iQOO Neo 10R | Poco F6 | Poco X7 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1.5K, 144Hz, HDR10+ | 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1.5K, 120Hz, Dolby Vision | 6.67-inch AMOLED, 1.5K, 120Hz, Dolby Vision |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | MediaTek Dimensity 8400 Ultra |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X, 128GB (UFS 3.1)/256GB (UFS 4.1) | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X, 256GB/512GB UFS 4.0 | 8GB/12GB LPDDR5X, 256GB UFS 4.0 |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (IMX882, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide | 50MP (LYT600, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 20MP | 20MP |
| Battery | 6,400mAh, 80W fast charging | 5,000mAh, 90W fast charging | 6,550mAh, 90W fast charging |
| Software | Funtouch OS 15 (Android 15) | HyperOS 2.0 (Android 15) | HyperOS 2.0 (Android 15) |
| Build | Polycarbonate, IP65 | Polycarbonate, IP64 | Polycarbonate, IP68/IP69 |
| Weight | 196g | 179g | 190g |
| Price (Starting) | Rs 26,999 | Rs 22,999 | Rs 27,999 |
Should You Buy the iQOO Neo 10R, Poco F6, or Poco X7 Pro?
The iQOO Neo 10R emerges as the best all-rounder among the three. Its stellar battery life, vibrant 144Hz display, and superior camera performance make it ideal for gamers, media consumers, and photography enthusiasts. At Rs 26,999, it offers excellent value, especially with discounts bringing it under Rs 25,000. If you want a phone that balances performance, battery, and cameras, the iQOO Neo 10R is the one to pick.
The Poco X7 Pro, priced at Rs 27,999, is a great choice for those prioritizing raw performance and water resistance. Its Dimensity 8400 Ultra chipset excels in multitasking, and the IP68/IP69 rating adds durability. However, its camera and battery life lag slightly behind the iQOO Neo 10R.
The Poco F6, at Rs 22,999, is the most affordable but feels dated compared to the newer models. Its lightweight design and Gorilla Glass Victus are pluses, but the smaller battery and average cameras make it less compelling unless you’re on a tight budget.
Is the iQOO Neo 10R Worth It?
For most users, the iQOO Neo 10R is worth every penny. It nails the essentials—long battery life, a smooth display, and a capable camera—while delivering flagship-level gaming performance. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or a casual gamer, this phone offers a premium experience without breaking the bank. If camera quality and battery life are your top priorities, the iQOO Neo 10R is the best phone under Rs 30,000 in 2025.
Conclusion
The iQOO Neo 10R, Poco F6, and Poco X7 Pro are all excellent choices in the sub-Rs 30,000 segment, but the iQOO Neo 10R stands out for its versatility. It combines a fantastic display, unmatched battery life, and a surprisingly good camera, making it the top pick for most users. The Poco X7 Pro is a strong alternative for performance enthusiasts, while the Poco F6 suits budget-conscious buyers. Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities, but the iQOO Neo 10R is the safest bet for a well-rounded experience.
