The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G does not try to pretend it is something it is not, and that’s exactly why it works. It’s a solid performer with standout battery life and enough daily reliability to make it worth the price. Yes, it has its flaws, slow charging, average selfies, and minor stutters, but for Rs 9,999, this phone does more than enough, and then some.
Lately, I have been reviewing phones that usually fall somewhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000. This is the sweet spot where brands are making solid progress day by day. But every time I looked below Rs 10,000, it felt like this segment still hasn’t had its moment to shine, no? You either had to compromise on performance, display quality, or basic features that should have been a given by now. So when the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G landed on my desk, priced at Rs 9,999, I didn’t expect much. Now, after testing it, I know that it wants to shake things up in this budget space, but can it? Let’s find out.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Review: Design
I have been using the Titanium Blue variant, which looks quite classy, but the back panel catches smudges and fingerprints easily. Especially since it’s a lighter shade, those marks are hard to miss.
Still, the form factor works. It is not too wide, sits nicely in the pocket, and even though it feels a little bulky, it never feels too uncomfortable to use, unless you are trying to scroll through Instagram one-handedly. So if you are worried about accidental drops, definitely hold it with both hands.
Speaking of drops, it is impressive that at Rs 9,999, this phone offers IP64 water/dust resistance and even military-grade durability. The plastic build helps here too, less chance of cracking if it takes a fall. It’s a solid design choice for the budget-conscious buyer.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Review: Display
The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G comes with a 6.74-inch HD+ IPS LCD panel, and while it’s not the most pixel-packed screen out there, it does its job without trying too hard. The colours are surprisingly natural, which I actually prefer. No oversaturation, no weird warm tones. Just clean, decent visuals.
We clocked the peak brightness at 836 nits on Auto Mode. Indoors or in shade, you’re good. Outdoors in direct sunlight, though? It becomes a mirror. The reflections take over, and you’ll find yourself squinting or cranking up the brightness manually.
But here’s where I felt a little let down: it only supports 90Hz refresh rate. And while it feels smooth enough in daily use, you notice the difference when you are gaming or switching back and forth between apps. Once you have experienced 120Hz, going back is like switching from an expressway to a bumpy flyover. It’s not a dealbreaker, but yeah, 120Hz should be the new normal.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Review: Performance
The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 and comes with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. In our benchmark testing, it scored over 4.3 lakh points on AnTuTu, which is an impressive number if we look at its price tag. Geekbench scores were also on par with what you would expect at this price point.
Even in our 15-minute stress test, the performance remained fairly stable. There were neither wild drops nor weird heating issues. Budget phones usually don’t throttle heavily, and this one held up as well.
Real-world use was solid, too. I used this as my secondary phone for a few days, switching between WhatsApp, Instagram, BGMI (on basic settings), snapping photos, streaming videos, and it held up fine. Sure, a few stutters popped up when I had too many apps open, but nothing deal-breaking.
At this price, I was honestly expecting it to crawl under pressure. But it didn’t and kept up pace.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Review: Camera
The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G is equipped with a dual camera setup, consisting of a 50-megapixel main camera and a 2-megapixel depth sensor.
If we talk about pictures, it delivers a decent camera performance for a phone at this price point. In well-lit conditions, the primary camera captures sharp and balanced shots with natural colours. Whether it’s buildings, greenery, or objects like bikes and logos, the images show respectable detail with minimal noise. However, the dynamic range could have been better.
Portrait mode also does a fairly good job for this segment. Edge detection is clean in most shots, and the background blur feels subtle. Skin tones, though, do not look very natural, and finer elements like hair or fingers can sometimes blur into the background.
The 5-megapixel selfie shooter, I think, works average. The selfies are neither pleasing nor too bad. I would say, making use of its front camera for meetings and video calls seems like a more practical choice than relying on it for nice selfies.
One major gripe though – the shutter lag. After tapping the shutter button, I often had to keep the phone still for 2–3 seconds, or it would capture something completely different, like the sky, ground, or a blurry mess. Not ideal if you’re clicking moments quickly.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Review: Battery
Here’s where the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G shines. It packs a massive 6000mAh battery, and during testing, it easily lasted me over a day and a half with moderate to heavy use. That’s with casual gaming, camera testing, video streaming, and of course, a shameful amount of reels.
But then, reality hits when you plug it in. The phone only supports 15-watt charging, and a full charge from 0 to 100% took me around 2.5 hours. That’s slow. If you forget to plug it in before bed, you’re in for a long wait the next morning.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Review: Verdict
The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G is not trying to be a fake midrange or flagship phone. It knows what it is, and within those limits, it delivers where you need it to. It performs well, it lasts long, it looks decent, and it doesn’t overpromise.
Sure, I wish it charged faster. I wish the selfie camera were a bit better. I wish the shutter speed were not so slow. But at Rs 9,999, how much can I ask for? So if you’re looking for a budget phone that doesn’t give you waves of frustrations after a few months, this one is worth your time.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G Key Specs, Price and Launch Date
| Release Date: | |
| Market Status: | Launched |
Key Specifications
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Mustafa Khan
Mustafa is a young tech journalist who tells it like it is, cutting through buzzwords to deliver straightforward smartphone reviews. He’s the office go-to for insider tips and quick demos, and his video content doesn’t waste anyone’s time. When he’s off the clock, he geeks out over cars, photography, and hunting down the best spot for Indian food. View Full Profile
