iQOO Z10x: iQOO Z10x is the update to last year’s Z9x and brings some easily noticeable improvements in design, hardware, and battery life. It is priced starting at Rs. 13,499, and it aims to be a reliable budget 5G phone for everyday use. But does it offer enough of an upgrade over the previous generation to be worth a purchase? Here is a brief rundown of our first impressions.

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Design: A New Look with Subtle Touches

Right out of the box, the iQOO Z10x is a better-built phone than the Z9x. The phone features a polycarbonate rear with a matte finish that is resistant to fingerprints and dust. The curved rear makes it easier to hold, and the Ultramarine color option has a soft lavender hue with a wave pattern that reflects light at certain angles. Compared to the flashy-looking Neo 10R, this design is older and understated.

Display: Still Flat, but With Thick Bezels

While the back design is better, the front is still a sign of cost-cutting. The 6.72-inch LCD screen uses the same FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate as before, but there are noticeable bezels, especially the bottom one. That could detract from the immersive experience a bit. The screen itself is flat, unlike more costly versions that feature curved screens, which can be appealing to some for enhanced ruggedness.

Build and Ports: Robust but Lacks Headphone Jack

The Z10x keeps the IP64 rating for dust and water resistance, which is not typical at this price point. It does weigh in at a hefty 204 grams and sacrifices the 3.5mm headphone jack of the Z9x. This could be a drawback for those who still use wired earbuds.

Camera: Same Old Configuration, No Significant Upgrades

The camera setup hasn’t evolved much. There is a 50MP primary camera and a depth sensor with 2MP, accompanied by an 8MP front camera, the same as the Z9x. Without optical stabilization and a simple setup, the camera is probably not going to be a strength this year, either.

Performance and Software: Say hello to Power Boost

Under the hood, the iQOO Z10x runs on the new MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, which boasts a faster CPU and GPU performance than the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 in the Z9x. You also now get a base model with 6GB of RAM, an improvement over the older 4GB. The phone runs Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, though bloatware and spammy notifications remain problems.

Battery and Connectivity: Larger and Improved

The battery has been increased to 6,500 mAh, fast charging at 44W is still present, while the more efficient processor should deliver better battery life. Connectivity options are Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual 5G standby, but there is no NFC.

Verdict: A Strong Budget Option with Drawbacks

iQOO Z10x feels like a good improvement in some aspects, such as design, battery, and performance. However, the camera setup and software experience still have some areas to improve. If you need a budget phone with good battery life and acceptable performance, the Z10x could be worth considering, though we recommend waiting for the full review before purchasing.