As Poco gears up to launch its F7 smartphone on June 24 in India, the battle in the mid-range smartphone market intensifies, especially with the iQOO Neo 10 already making headlines. Both devices are powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and are priced under Rs 35,000, positioning them in direct competition for buyers seeking high performance on a reasonable budget.
Design and display: striking aesthetics with distinct approaches
Poco F7 arrives with a standout dual-tone finish and RGB lighting around its pill-shaped camera bump — clearly aimed at gaming enthusiasts. Its semi-transparent upper body takes cues from other unique designs like the Nothing Phone, and it comes with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, offering stronger protection than its rival.
In contrast, the iQOO Neo 10 opts for a more motorsport-inspired aesthetic, with a race track-themed rear and a squircle camera layout. While it looks bold, the device only gets an IP65 rating — a slightly lower protection level against water and dust.
Display-wise, Poco F7 is expected to feature a 6.83-inch OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 3200 nits. Meanwhile, the iQOO Neo 10 offers a smaller 6.78-inch AMOLED screen but boasts a higher 144Hz refresh rate and an impressive 5000 nits brightness, delivering a more vibrant viewing experience on paper.
Performance and battery: neck-to-neck on hardware
Both devices draw power from the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset, but their configurations vary slightly. The Poco F7 is expected to offer up to 12GB LPDDR5x RAM and 24GB of virtual Turbo RAM, along with UFS 4.1 storage. On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 10 tops out at 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage.
Battery capacity is where the Poco F7 could have an edge — with a massive 7550mAh battery paired with 90W charging. The iQOO Neo 10 comes close with a 7000mAh battery but supports faster 120W charging. The choice here boils down to whether a larger battery or faster recharge matters more.
Camera comparison: similar sensors, sharper selfies
On the camera front, both smartphones feature a dual-lens rear setup. The Poco F7 is likely to carry a 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens. The iQOO Neo 10 offers a similar setup with a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor and 8MP ultrawide lens.
For selfie lovers, the iQOO Neo 10 might appeal more with a 32MP front camera compared to the Poco F7’s 20MP shooter.
Verdict: performance-focused Poco or display-centric iQOO?
Both phones bring competitive specs to the table. The Poco F7 leans into durability, battery life, and gaming-centric aesthetics, while the iQOO Neo 10 delivers a smoother display, higher storage options, and sharper selfies. Buyers will need to weigh their daily needs — be it content consumption, gaming, or camera use — to pick the right fit in this tightly contested segment.