iQOO Z10x Review: A Budget 5G Powerhouse That Overdelivers for ₹15,000

Packed with a Dimensity 7300 chip, massive battery, and UFS 3.1 storage, the iQOO Z10x challenges expectations in the sub-₹15,000 smartphone segment.

Design and Build: Premium Looks, Practical Durability

The iQOO Z10x punches above its weight in terms of design, especially in its Ultramarine Blue finish. The combination of a glossy camera island and matte-glitter back lends a premium vibe. The IP64 rating and military-grade durability are rare inclusions at this price, boosting everyday usability.

Despite slightly thicker bezels and a central punch-hole camera, the phone’s symmetrical layout and sleek aesthetics make it visually appealing.

Display: Vibrant and Fast

Sporting a 6.72-inch FHD+ LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, the Z10x delivers smooth scrolling and vibrant visuals, albeit without the deep blacks of OLED. Peak brightness at 904 nits ensures excellent outdoor visibility, and a DeltaE score of 1.7 confirms impressive color accuracy. Though viewing angles are typical of LCD panels, the display stands out for its price.

Performance: More Than Meets the Eye

Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 SoC, the Z10x delivers top-tier performance in its category. Benchmarks back it up:

• AnTuTu: 688,475

• Geekbench (Single/Multi-core): 1,028 / 2,816

• CPU Throttling Test: 91% stability

What truly sets it apart is UFS 3.1 storage, enabling fast app loading and seamless multitasking—a rare feature at this price point.

Software: Smooth but Bloated

The device runs FunTouch OS 15 based on Android, offering AI features like Smart Eraser, Screen Translation, and Document Scanner. However, bloatware and spam notifications detract from the user experience. On the bright side, 2 years of Android updates and 3 years of security patches provide long-term software support.

Battery and Charging: Endurance Champion

With a 6,500mAh battery—a notable 500mAh boost over its predecessor—the Z10x excels in battery life. It clocked:

• 28 hours, 7 minutes in the PCMark test at 50% brightness.

Real-world usage confirms 2-day battery life on moderate use. It supports 44W fast charging, but a full charge takes 1 hour and 40 minutes, which is decent for its size.

Camera: Capable but Not Class-Leading

The phone features a 50MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and an 8MP selfie shooter. Daylight photography is decent with accurate colors and good detail, but portrait mode struggles with edge detection and over-processing.

Low-light images are surprisingly usable, and selfies are passable for social media. While the camera isn’t the device’s strongest suit, it’s serviceable for casual photography.

Verdict: Value That Exceeds Expectations

If you’re hunting for a budget 5G smartphone under ₹15,000, the iQOO Z10x should be on your radar. Key strengths include:

• Excellent performance with Dimensity 7300

• UFS 3.1 storage

• Massive 6,500mAh battery

• Bright, color-accurate display

• IP64 durability

Weaknesses? The camera is average, and bloatware affects the software experience. But overall, the Z10x is a performance-first phone that’s more powerful than its price suggests.