iQOO Z10x Review: Monster Battery, Budget Price – But Is It Really Worth It?

The budget smartphone game has changed a lot in recent years. Earlier, you could pick a great phone under ₹15,000 that gave you solid cameras, smooth performance, and even fast charging. But the arrival of 5G brought what many called the “5G tax”—phones with average designs, weak cameras, and just big batteries, all just to add 5G support.

Now, things are finally shifting again. Phones like the Poco M7 Pro and CMF Phone 1 have proved that budget devices can deliver more than just 5G. And with the new iQOO Z10x, the brand seems ready to move in the right direction. But is this just another big-battery phone, or does it actually stand out? Let’s find out.

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Design: Big Battery, Chunky Camera Bump

• Dimensions: 165.7 × 76.3 × 8.09mm
• Weight: 204g
• Durability: IP64 + MIL-STD-810H

The iQOO Z10x sticks to polycarbonate, but the fit and finish feel much better than last year’s Z9x. It’s heavy at 204g (thanks to that massive battery), but curved edges and flat sides make it comfortable to hold. The Ultramarine finish has a wave-like pattern that looks classy, and the frosted back doesn’t collect fingerprints.

The camera module, however, is misleading. It looks like a triple-camera setup, but only one lens actually works. The second is just a 2MP depth sensor, while the third is an IR blaster disguised as a camera lens. Odd placement too—you’ll need both hands to use it properly.

There’s also a Dynamic light feature borrowed from Vivo’s Y series, which works as a notification LED. It lights up for calls, charging, and messages, but settings are buried deep in the menu.

The phone is IP64-rated (dustproof and splash-resistant) and even MIL-STD-810H certified, meaning it can survive extreme weather conditions.

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Display: Smooth but Not AMOLED

• Size: 6.72-inch FHD+
• Type: LCD, 120Hz refresh rate
• Protection: Panda Glass

The LCD screen is decent—bright outdoors, sharp enough, and smooth with its 120Hz refresh rate. Colours look saturated by default, but the “Professional” mode makes them more natural. However, it doesn’t deliver the deep blacks of AMOLED rivals like Poco M7 Pro.

Surprisingly, there’s also an Always-On Display option, though it doesn’t make much sense on LCD (since it drains more power).

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Software: Funtouch OS 15 with AI Extras

• OS: Android 15
• Updates: 2 years OS + 3 years security

Funtouch OS 15 is feature-packed, with new AI tools for editing and productivity. Bloatware exists, but most of it can be uninstalled. Thankfully, spammy notifications were minimal during testing.

However, iQOO’s update policy is weak—only two major OS updates. Since the phone already ships with Android 15, you’ll only likely get Android 16 and 17 before support ends.

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Performance: Dimensity 7300 is Solid

• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (4nm)
• RAM/Storage: 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X, 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1

Performance is a mixed bag. The chipset is powerful, but the software feels under-optimised. Scrolling sometimes stutters, and apps occasionally lag even on the 8GB variant.

Gaming is smooth enough—you can play COD: Mobile on Very High graphics, but frame rates hover around 60fps. There’s no vapor chamber cooling, but graphite sheets handle heat decently well.

Benchmarks put it ahead of the Poco M7 Pro and CMF Phone 1 in some areas, though not consistently.

The stereo speakers are disappointing—tinny and not loud enough. Plus, no 3.5mm headphone jack this year, so you’re stuck with TWS earbuds.

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Cameras: Looks Better Than It Is

• Rear: 50MP main + 2MP depth
• Front: 8MP selfie

The main 50MP shooter captures average photos at best. They look fine on your phone screen, but zoom in and details vanish quickly. Dynamic range is okay, but noise is common, even in daylight.

Selfies are soft and often poorly exposed in bright light. Low-light performance is weak, and even with screen flash, selfies aren’t worth it.

Video recording is basic—shaky, cropped, and low detail in dim light. No OIS means jerky footage while walking.

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Battery: The Star of the Show

• Capacity: 6,500mAh
• Charging: 44W (charger included)

This is where the iQOO Z10x shines. In our video loop test, it lasted nearly 38 hours, beating last year’s Z9x. In real-world use, it easily delivers two days on casual use and a full day on heavy use.

Charging is decent but not blazing fast. It goes from 0 to 74% in an hour and takes about 1 hour 36 minutes to fully charge.

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Verdict: Great Battery, Average Elsewhere

The iQOO Z10x nails battery life and durability, making it a good pick for users who want a reliable budget phone that won’t die halfway through the day. But cameras are weak, performance feels unpolished, and the lack of AMOLED hurts against rivals.

If display and photography matter more, the Poco M7 Pro (with AMOLED + OIS camera) or CMF Phone 1 (modular design + better cameras) are better buys. But if all-day battery and solid durability are your top priorities, the iQOO Z10x is worth considering.

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👉 Bottom Line: If you’re tired of budget phones that die too soon, the iQOO Z10x is a true battery king. Just don’t expect it to wow you elsewhere.