iQOO Z10 5G series.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Last week, iQOO launched the company's new Android-powered phone Z10 series in India.
It comes with two variants-- Z10 and Z10x-- with prices ranging between Rs 13,499 and Rs 25,999.
The Z10 is the top-end model among the two. It features an all-new design, a big display, and to keep the device running for long hours, the company has incorporated a mammoth battery.
I used the iQOO Z10 for a week, and here are my thoughts on the latest Android phone.
Design, build quality and display:
As noted earlier, the latest iQOO Z10 flaunts a new attractive design language. It features a giant circular module on the back with a dual-camera module and an LED flash. It protrudes a bit, and the space, as you can see in the cover photo below, gets accumulated with dust in no time.
However, the rest of the back panel, which comes matte finish does a fine job with repelling the fingerprint smudges.
iQOO Z10 5G series.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Our review unit is stellar black and looks lovely in the sunlight. The company also offers another variant in glacier silver. The latter is said to be even better looking than the stellar black.
The device's back cover is made of sturdy polycarbonate composite materials. It has MIL-STD-810H military-grade durability and an IP65 dust-and-water splash resistant rating. It can survive accidental water splashes and moderate rain.
On the front, it sports a beautiful curved display and comes with a pre-fitted screen guard for protection against scratches when the device is kept in the close confines of a pocket with coins and keys.
iQOO Z10 5G series.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Further, the company offers free silicone-based transpare cover-case, which protects the device from cracking during accidental fall on a hard surface,
The Z10 also features a type-C port, and a speaker at the bottom. The latter works amazingly good. With volume put to the max, it can liven up the living room with good music.
iQOO Z10 5G series.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It also features an infrared blaster sensor, which can come in handy to operate Internet-of-Things (IoT) gadgets such as smart TV. Owners can operate the TV to turn on volume or change channels with just the phone.
The Z10 sports a 6.77-inch full HD (2392 x 1080p) AMOLED display. It supports 120Hz refresh rate, and offers up to 5,000 nits peak brightness.
I had great time with watching vlogs on YouTube. With pixel density of 388 ppi (pixels per inch), the colours of the objects and the background in the scene, be it a TV series or a movie, appear more vibrant and make it a delightful experience to watch on the phone.
With a massive battery (7,300mAh) as back-up and beautiful big display, user can binge watch an entire season of any regular TV series without any anxiety of running out of juice anytime soon.
The device also features an in-display fingerprint sensor. It works amazingly fast in terms of recognising the fingerprint impression and unlocking the home screen.
Performance
The Z10 is powered by a 4nm class Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 octa-core processor with Adreno 720 GPU, 8GB / 12GB RAM and 128GB / 256GB UFS 2.2 storage.
The device is available in three configurations- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage. Our review unit is the latter.
iQOO Z10's CPU and GPU performance score on Geekbench performance testing app.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It does a fine job with day-to-day tasks such as switching between multiple apps or operating camera without any sign of lag-ness at all. Also, it supports all major games and manages to work smoothly.
Further, it supports generative Artificial Intelligence features, including Gemini AI app, language translations, circle to search in addition to AI eraser photography tools.
iQOO Z10 supports Gemini AI and Circle to search and other Gen AI features.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
The new iQOO phone runs Android 15-based FuntouchOS 15, and comes with a lot of pre-loaded third-party apps. But, thanks to generous storage, there is no worry for lack space.
The device can support hundred more apps and also, users can store movies or even capture thousands of photos for at least another two-three years without any anxiety of running out of storage space.
Besides the reliable Qualcomm Chipset, the most notable aspect of the iQOO Z10 is its massive 7,300mAh battery. As advertised, it delivers a long battery life. It can easily last two full days under normal usage.
iQOO Z10 5G series.
Even if you are binge watching TV series or view two-three movies on a stretch, it can stretch up to the dinner time and still have more than 30 per cent juice in its tank.
Also, the company offers a 90W SuperVOOC charger with the retail box of the device. It takes around 100-120 minutes to fully charge from zero to the 100 per cent mark.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Photography
The new Z10 houses a dual-camera module-- main 50MP (with Sony IMX882 sensor, f/1.79 aperture) with a 2MP (f.24) depth sensor with Aura light LED on the back.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
As you can see from the photo samples, the iQOO Z10 takes very good photos in the sunlight. The images come off sharp and clear.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
At night, too, it takes good sharp photos with near-accurate colours and less noise.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Though the device does not support ultra wide angle mode, the normal 1X photo can accomodate a vast area in the scene.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
At close-up range too, the Z10 does a fine job with capturing minute details of the subject, particularly the flowers.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
It also supports portrait mode. The Z10 manages to take nice photos with an artfully blurred background.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Like other premium mid-range phones, it also supports AI eraser. It can easily clear unwanted objects from the frame without leaving much trace in the background.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
On the front, it features a 32MP (f/2.0) camera. It takes really good selfies in the sunlight. Even the portrait images are decent.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
The primary camera on the back can record up to 4K at 30 frames per second (fps). Thanks to gyro-Electronic Image Stabiliser (EIS), the videos come out stable even if the hands shake while recording a video.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
On the front, the camera can record full HD (1080p) videos at 30 fps. It is also of decent quality, on par with rival branded phones in its class.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Final thoughts
For the last few years, emerging player iQOO has grown big in India. It offers ultra-top end phones like iQOO 13 for less than half the price of the competitors in its class.
Now, with the new Z10, it is offering a feature-rich mid-range phone with massive battery and reliable Qualcomm chipset and doesn't cost much compared to the rival brands.
Even the camera is really good. It takes stunning images in the daylight and supports several gen AI-based tools such as AI Eraser to enhance photography experience.
iQOO Z10 5G's camera sample.
Credit: DH Photo/KVN Rohit
Considering the overall aspects, iQOO Z10 is a really good value-for-money phone for college students and also senior citizens who want to spend time watching videos on social media platforms and movies/ TV series on OTT apps.
It comes in --glacier silver and stellar black -- colours. It is available in three configurations-- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, 8GB RAM + 256GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage--for Rs 21,999, Rs 23,999 and Rs 25,999, respectively.
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