The Indian smartphone market is evolving rapidly, and every new launch triggers curiosity among tech enthusiasts and everyday users alike. iQOO, a brand known for delivering powerful, performance-driven devices at competitive pricing, has made another bold statement with its latest release — the iQOO Z10x. Is it truly worth the hype? Does it justify the attention it’s receiving from both tech reviewers and users? Let’s dive deep and uncover everything you need to know in this detailed first impression review of the iQOO Z10x.
Unveiling the iQOO Z10x: Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the iQOO Z10x appears every bit as premium as its predecessors, if not more. It boasts a sleek, ergonomic design with a refined aesthetic that stands out in its segment. The device features a polycarbonate back with a glossy gradient finish, lending it a sophisticated vibe. Available in several striking colors like Electric Blue, Graphite Black, and Frosted Silver, the device is tailored to appeal to both style-conscious and minimalistic users.
The curved edges and lightweight profile (around 185 grams) make it extremely comfortable to hold, while the side-mounted fingerprint scanner ensures easy access and improved security. The power button and volume rockers are tactile, providing a satisfying click when pressed.
Display: A Smooth Visual Treat
The display is one of the major highlights of the iQOO Z10x. It sports a 6.72-inch FHD+ IPS LCD panel with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. The screen offers a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring buttery-smooth scrolling, gaming, and overall navigation experience.
The peak brightness of 680 nits ensures decent outdoor visibility, while the HDR10 support delivers vibrant colors and enhanced contrast, making binge-watching sessions on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and YouTube an absolute delight. Even though it’s not an AMOLED, the IPS LCD here punches way above its weight class, offering crisp visuals with minimal color shifting.
Performance: Powered by a Reliable Processor
Under the hood, the iQOO Z10x is driven by the MediaTek Dimensity 8100 processor, an octa-core chipset built on a 6nm architecture. This SoC is renowned for delivering stellar performance and energy efficiency. Paired with up to 12GB LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage options ranging from 128GB to 256GB, multitasking and gaming on this device are seamless.
Whether you’re switching between heavy apps, editing videos, or engaging in graphically intense games like BGMI, Call of Duty Mobile, or Asphalt 9, the device maintains consistent frame rates and responsive performance. The inclusion of Virtual RAM Expansion up to 8GB further ensures there’s little to no lag, even with multiple apps running in the background.
Gaming Experience: Made for Mobile Gamers
If you’re a mobile gaming enthusiast, the iQOO Z10x won’t disappoint. Thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate, in-game actions feel instant and ultra-responsive. The Ultra Game Mode 2.0 enhances performance by optimizing CPU and GPU usage during gameplay, minimizing background distractions, and maintaining thermals with an advanced 5-layer liquid cooling system. Extended gaming sessions are smooth and relatively heat-free, positioning this device as one of the best gaming-centric smartphones in its price bracket.
Camera Setup: Capable and Versatile
On the photography front, the iQOO Z10x sports a dual-camera setup on the rear:
- 64MP primary sensor with OIS
- 2MP depth sensor
The 64MP shooter captures detailed, sharp, and color-accurate photos in good lighting conditions. The Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) ensures steady shots, especially during night photography or handheld videography. The 2MP depth sensor aids in achieving decent portrait shots with natural background blur.
On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera, which produces vibrant selfies and supports features like AI Beautification, Portrait Mode, and Night Selfie. Video recording capabilities max out at 4K 30fps on the rear and 1080p 60fps on the front, offering plenty for vloggers and casual video creators.
Battery and Charging: Reliable All-Day Performer
The iQOO Z10x is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, more than sufficient to comfortably last a full day of moderate to heavy use. The device supports 44W FlashCharge technology, capable of charging the phone from 0 to 50% in about 25 minutes.
In real-world usage, the battery backup is impressive, with screen-on time averaging around 7 hours with mixed usage, including gaming, video streaming, and social media browsing.
Software Experience: Clean and Functional
Running on Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14, the user interface is clean, responsive, and feature-rich. While there are a few pre-installed apps (which can be uninstalled), the overall software experience feels polished and lag-free.
Notable software features include:
- Dynamic RAM Expansion
- Ultra Game Mode
- App Clone
- Dark Mode
- Digital Wellbeing tools
Additionally, iQOO has committed to providing 2 years of Android updates and 3 years of security patches, a reassuring promise for buyers concerned about long-term support.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The iQOO Z10x covers all essential connectivity features:
- Dual 5G support
- Wi-Fi 6
- Bluetooth 5.3
- USB Type-C port
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Dual SIM support
- MicroSD card slot (up to 1TB)
It also includes a Z-axis linear motor for haptics, providing enhanced tactile feedback during gaming and typing. The dual stereo speakers offer immersive audio quality, further enhancing the entertainment and gaming experience.
Price and Variants
The iQOO Z10x is competitively priced, targeting budget-conscious yet performance-driven consumers:
- 6GB + 128GB – ₹13,999
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹14,999
- 12GB + 256GB – ₹16,999
Considering its features and performance, this pricing positions the Z10x as one of the most value-for-money options in the current mid-range market.
Final Verdict: Is the iQOO Z10x Worth the Buzz?
After spending quality time with the device, it’s evident that the iQOO Z10x punches well above its weight. It successfully delivers a balanced mix of style, performance, gaming prowess, battery life, and camera capabilities. Whether you’re a casual user, a gamer, or a content creator on a budget, the Z10x caters to all with minimal compromise.
Sure, it misses out on an AMOLED display, but the high refresh rate IPS LCD more than makes up for it. The presence of a Dimensity 8100 chipset, 64MP OIS camera, 5G support, and 5000mAh battery with fast charging makes it an irresistible proposition in the under ₹17,000 segment.
Yes — it’s worth the buzz! If you’re considering a reliable, feature-packed smartphone without stretching your budget, the iQOO Z10x deserves to be at the top of your list.