If you go out in the market today looking for a phone with a budget of Rs 20,000, chances are you’ll face smartphone manufacturers who promise you the world: large screens, powerful performance and long battery life. And while there are many value for money options with a good feature set, there are only a few that live up to the expectations. The iQOO Z10R is the latest phone in this highly competitive segment, featuring a large 6.77-inch AMOLED screen, MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor, a 50-megapixel main camera with OIS, and a big 5,700mAh battery supporting 44W fast charging, all at a starting price of Rs 19,499. But does it justify the price, especially when phones such as the CMF Phone 2 Pro and Moto G96 exist in the segment? That’s what I hope for you to find out by the end of this review.
iQOO Z10R: Design
iQOO Z10R comes in two colour options: Aquamarine and Moonstone. I received the Aquamarine variant for review, and it’s undeniably striking. The glossy finish on the back panel has a subtle shine that doesn’t look too flashy. It has a modern, youthful vibe that should appeal to a wide range of users, especially those who like their phones to stand out visually. iQOO has opted for a large circular camera ring, which is housed inside a pill-shaped vertical island. The camera is neatly placed on the rear panel and adds a touch of personality to the device.
The iQOO Z10R is 7.39mm thick and weighs 183.5 grams, making it comfortable to hold. Despite the glossy back, it doesn’t feel slippery in hand, and the curved edges help with a secure grip. Also, the phone is IP68 and IP69 certified, providing protection against dust and water.
In short, the iQOO Z10R feels well-built, looks distinctive and maintains a slim, lightweight profile. Its design is eye-catching without being over the top, making it a great fit for both minimalists and those who like a bit of flair.
iQOO Z10R: Display
The iQOO Z10R comes with a 6.77-inch quad-curved AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz refresh rate and FHD+ resolution. It supports HDR10+ and is protected by Diamond Shield Glass. In our brightness tests, the screen reached 1135 nits in manual mode and peaked at 2300 nits in auto mode, offering excellent visibility even in bright sunlight.
We also used Calman and the SpectraCal C6 Colorimeter to test the display’s color accuracy. The Z10R recorded an average Delta E of 1.8 in the professional color profile, meaning that you get accurate colours while watching content online. The phone is well-equipped to display a wide range of colors, with gamut coverage of almost 90% in the sRGB colour space. Whether you’re watching YouTube or bingeing your favourite shows, the viewing experience is smooth and immersive.
iQOO Z10R: Performance
Now, let’s talk about performance. The iQOO Z10R is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 5G chip, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB UFS 2.2 storage. In day-to-day use, the phone performs well.
It scored 6,68,878 on AnTuTu, and on Geekbench, it delivered 1,037 in single-core and 2,990 in multi-core tests. These numbers position the iQOO Z10R as a strong contender among the recently launched smartphones priced under Rs 20,000. For instance, the CMF Phone 2 Pro scored slightly higher on AnTuTu with 6,98,906 points, but its Geekbench scores were comparable: 1,012 in single-core and 2,945 in multi-core tests. Meanwhile, the Moto G96 scored 6,28,570 on AnTuTu, and 1,018 on Geekbench single-core test and 2,939 on Geekbench multi-core test.
Whether you’re scrolling endlessly on Instagram or streaming videos on YouTube or switching between multiple apps, the phone handles it all with ease. It’s also well-suited for light gaming titles like Temple Run. In short, the iQOO Z10R stands out as a capable device under Rs 20,000.
iQOO Z10R: Camera
The iQOO Z10R comes with a dual camera setup on the back, consisting of a 50-megapixel Sony IMX882 main camera with OIS and a 2-megapixel bokeh camera. On the front, the device has a 32-megapixel selfie camera with 4K recording support.
In everyday use, the main camera delivers decent results under good lighting conditions. There’s a noticeable tendency towards deeper shadows, which gives images a punchier contrast. This might appeal to those who like a more dramatic look, but if you lean toward natural, balanced visuals, it could feel slightly overprocessed.
The front camera also performs satisfactorily for selfies, rendering skin tones quite naturally, but it lacks a bit of clarity. So, while the camera setup is serviceable for casual photography, it leaves room for improvement, especially if you’re someone who prioritises camera quality.
iQOO Z10R: Battery
The iQOO Z10R packs a 5,700mAh battery with support for 44W wired charging. In real-world use, the battery performance is impressive, easily lasting up to 1.5 days on a single charge with moderate usage.
In our battery drain tests, the phone showed satisfactory results: 30 minutes of HDR video streaming consumed 6% battery, while an hour of Google Maps navigation, which is typically power-intensive, also drained 6%. A quick 15-minute round of BGMI gaming dropped the battery by around 5%, which is quite efficient. When it comes to charging, the included 44W adapter took about 77 minutes to power up the phone from 0 to 100%.
Verdict
The iQOO Z10R offers an all-round package for its sub-Rs 20,000 price tag. It combines a bold and eye-catching design with a vibrant and bright AMOLED display that’s great for content consumption. Performance is smooth for everyday tasks and casual gaming, backed by good benchmark scores. While it’s not a photography champ, it strikes the right balance for the price.
If you’re looking for a stylish 5G phone under Rs 20,000 with a great display, dependable performance and satisfactory battery life, the iQOO Z10R is definitely worth considering.
iQOO Z10 R Key Specs, Price and Launch Date
| Release Date: | 24 Jul, 2025 |
| Market Status: | Launched |
Key Specifications
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
