A Strong Budget Option with Impressive Battery Life and Performance
The iQOO Z10x brings more than just a larger battery to the budget smartphone segment. With a price starting at Rs. 13,499 in India, this device offers solid performance, a durable design, and a noteworthy battery life—making it an appealing option for users on a tight budget.
In an age where budget smartphones often feature minimal upgrades, the Z10x stands out with several key improvements, particularly in battery longevity, performance, and overall build quality. But how does it hold up against its competitors, especially in a market crowded with options? Let’s break it down.
iQOO Z10x Design: A Step Up from the Z9x
The iQOO Z10x comes with a more refined design compared to its predecessor, the Z9x. While it still uses polycarbonate plastic for the rear panel and mid-frame, the overall look and feel are improved. The flat sides of the mid-frame, paired with bevelled edges, add a premium touch, while the curved edges on the back make the phone comfortable to hold. However, at 204 grams, the Z10x is on the heavier side for a budget device, a consideration to keep in mind for long-term usage.
The phone’s rear features a subtle wave-like pattern in the Ultramarine finish, which gives the device a bit of flair. However, the lavender color choice might not appeal to everyone, but it’s a unique attempt to differentiate the design from other budget smartphones in the market.
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Dimensions: 165.7 x 76.3 x 8.09mm
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Weight: 204 grams
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Durability: IP64 rating for water and dust resistance
iQOO Z10x Display: Gets the Job Done
When it comes to the display, the iQOO Z10x doesn’t reinvent the wheel but offers a functional experience that meets expectations. It comes with a standard LCD display, offering decent brightness and color reproduction for everyday use. While the resolution might not be the sharpest at this price point, it’s adequate for tasks like browsing, streaming, and casual gaming.
The bezels around the screen are slim, and the overall screen-to-body ratio is good for a budget phone. However, it lacks the punchy colors and deep blacks that AMOLED screens offer, but that’s to be expected from a device in this price category. Still, the display gets the job done without any glaring flaws.
iQOO Z10x Software: Nothing Too Fancy
The software experience on the Z10x is pretty standard for a budget smartphone. It runs on Android 13 with iQOO’s custom Funtouch OS skin. The interface is smooth enough for daily tasks, though it doesn’t offer the level of customization or polish found in more premium devices. You’ll find a handful of pre-installed apps, but most of them can be uninstalled, which is a nice touch.
Performance-wise, the device runs smoothly, but don’t expect heavy multitasking or resource-intensive apps to perform at their best. For the average user, however, it’s more than capable of handling everyday tasks like messaging, social media, and video streaming.
iQOO Z10x Performance: A Pleasant Surprise
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 SoC, the Z10x offers a decent performance boost over its predecessor, the Z9x. This chipset provides good value for money, offering smooth performance for most daily tasks and some light gaming. It’s not the most powerful processor in its class, but it performs admirably considering the budget price.
For everyday use, the device feels responsive, with apps opening quickly, and there’s minimal lag or stuttering during regular usage. However, if you’re into heavy gaming or multitasking with multiple demanding apps, you might notice a few slowdowns. Still, for the price, the performance is a solid offering.
iQOO Z10x Cameras: Same Old, Same Old
When it comes to the cameras, the iQOO Z10x doesn’t break any new ground. The rear camera setup includes a 50MP primary sensor, which delivers decent results in good lighting conditions. Low-light performance, however, is lackluster, and images tend to get noisy when the light dims. The 2MP depth sensor is serviceable but doesn’t add much to the overall camera experience.
On the front, the 16MP selfie camera does an adequate job for video calls and social media pictures, but it’s nothing to write home about. Overall, while the camera setup is competent for the price, it’s not a standout feature of the Z10x.
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Rear Camera: 50MP primary, 2MP depth sensor
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Front Camera: 16MP
iQOO Z10x Battery: Impressive!
The standout feature of the iQOO Z10x is undoubtedly its massive 6,000mAh battery. This phone is built for endurance, offering impressive battery life that can last more than a full day of moderate usage. Even with heavy use, you’ll find yourself charging it less often compared to other budget smartphones in this price range.
The large battery, combined with optimized software and hardware, ensures that you can get through long days of usage without reaching for the charger. While it doesn’t support the fastest charging speeds, the Z10x’s battery is more than sufficient to get you through the day.
iQOO Z10x Verdict: A Solid Choice for the Budget Shopper
The iQOO Z10x impresses with its combination of performance, design, and especially battery life. While the cameras and display might not be anything extraordinary, the phone’s longevity and overall user experience make it a solid choice in the budget smartphone category.
For anyone looking for a reliable device that doesn’t skimp on essential features—especially battery life—the Z10x is a solid option at its price point. It proves that budget smartphones don’t have to sacrifice performance and quality for affordability.
