In June 2025, I got my hands on the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G, a budget smartphone priced at ₹9,499 for the 4GB/128GB variant, aiming to disrupt India’s sub-₹10,000 segment. Launched as part of iQOO’s Z10 series, this “lite” model packs a 6000mAh battery, Sony AI camera, MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor, and a 6.73-inch 90Hz display. After using it for a week in Bengaluru for calls, gaming, streaming, and photography, I’m sharing my unfiltered take on its design, performance, and quirks. Does it live up to the hype as a value-for-money 5G phone? Drawing from my experience, Gadgets360, TechRadar, and @iQOOIndia on X, here’s my detailed review of the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G.
Unboxing and First Impressions
Unboxing the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G was a delight, with a sleek matte-finish box that felt premium for a budget phone, per my experience. Inside, I found:
- The phone in Titanium Blue (also available in Cyber Green).
- A transparent TPU case, saving ~₹200, per Gadgets360.
- A Type-A to Type-C cable and 18W charger.
- Warranty card, quick guide, and SIM ejector tool.
The phone’s 8.1mm thickness and 203g weight (due to the 6000mAh battery) felt substantial but manageable, per my tests. Its military-grade shock resistance and IP64 water/dust resistance added durability, per @iQOOIndia. The polycarbonate back with a diamond-pattern design and matte finish resisted fingerprints, giving it a stylish look that belied its price.
Design and Build: Stylish Yet Practical
I found the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G’s design to be a standout in the sub-₹10,000 segment, offering a bold yet clean aesthetic.
- Back Panel: The matte polycarbonate back with a subtle diamond pattern looked premium, reminiscent of pricier phones, per TechRadar. It avoided smudges, unlike glossy budget phones.
- Frame and Ergonomics: The flat polycarbonate frame felt sturdy but slightly slippery without the included case, per my experience. At 203g, it’s hefty but balanced.
- Physical Layout: The right side houses a power button-cum-fingerprint scanner (fast and accurate) and volume rockers. The top has a 3.5mm headphone jack—a rare treat—and a speaker grille, while the bottom features a Type-C port and SIM tray, per Gadgets360.
- Triple SIM Slot: Supports two nano-SIMs and a microSD card, a must-have for budget users, per @iQOOIndia.
- Durability: IP64 rating and military-grade certification ensured peace of mind during Bengaluru’s rainy season, per my tests.
I rated the design 8.5/10 for its stylish yet practical approach, though a lighter build would’ve been ideal, per Digit.in.
Display: Decent but Not Stellar
The 6.73-inch HD+ IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate was a mixed bag, offering size and smoothness but lacking sharpness, per my experience.
- Screen Size and Quality: The large display was great for YouTube and Instagram Reels, but the 720p resolution showed pixelation in text, per TechRadar. Colors were vibrant with decent contrast for a budget phone.
- Brightness: Claimed 1000 nits handled outdoor use well, though not as bright as AMOLED panels, per my tests in Bengaluru’s sunlight.
- 90Hz Smoothness: Scrolling felt fluid compared to 60Hz budget phones, enhancing gaming and UI navigation, per @iQOOIndia.
- Waterdrop Notch: The dated notch housed a 5MP selfie camera and looked out of place in 2025, per Gadgets360. A punch-hole would’ve been modern.
- Screen-to-Body Ratio: At 90.4%, bezels were minimal, maximizing viewing area, per Digit.in.
I found the display adequate for casual use but wished for a Full HD+ panel, a rarity under ₹10,000, per my observations.
Performance: Reliable for Daily Tasks and Casual Gaming
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 (6nm, 2.4GHz), the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G delivered solid performance for its price, per my tests.
- Daily Usage: With 4GB LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, apps like WhatsApp, Chrome, and JioCinema opened quickly, per Gadgets360. Multitasking was smooth with minimal lag.
- Gaming: I played BGMI at HD High settings, achieving ~40fps with slight frame drops, acceptable for a budget phone, per my experience. The device warmed slightly but didn’t overheat, confirmed by a CPU throttle test showing stable performance, per @iQOOIndia.
- Benchmark Scores: An AnTuTu score of 434,000+ placed it ahead of rivals like the Redmi 13C 5G, per TechRadar.
- Variants: Available in 4GB/128GB and higher configs (6GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB), offering flexibility, per Digit.in.
- 5G Connectivity: Supports 9 5G bands, ensuring future-proof connectivity in India, per my Jio 5G tests.
The Dimensity 6300 proved reliable for students and casual users, though heavy gamers might notice occasional stutters, per my observations.
Battery: A Marathon Runner
The 6000mAh battery was a highlight, offering exceptional endurance, per my experience.
- Battery Life: As a medium user (4–5 hours of screen-on time with calls, streaming, and gaming), I got 1.5–2 days of usage on a single charge, per my tests.
- Charging Speed: The 18W charger took ~2 hours to fully charge, slow compared to 33W budget phones, per Gadgets360. A 10-minute charge gave ~15% juice.
- Efficiency: The 6nm Dimensity 6300 optimized power consumption, per @iQOOIndia.
- Use Cases: Ideal for students or parents needing a long-lasting phone, per my experience.
- No Reverse Charging: A minor omission, as some rivals offer it, per TechRadar.
I found the battery life phenomenal, though faster charging would’ve sealed the deal, per Digit.in.
Camera: Sony Sensor Shines
The 50MP Sony AI main camera (f/1.8) and 2MP secondary sensor impressed me for a sub-₹10,000 phone, per my tests.
- Main Camera: Daylight shots were sharp with accurate colors and good dynamic range, per Gadgets360. The AI enhancements improved skin tones and edge detection in portraits.
- Portrait Mode: At 1x and 2x, portraits had excellent subject separation, outperforming rivals like the Poco M6, per my experience.
- Low-Light Performance: Night mode brightened shots but introduced noise, acceptable for the price, per @iQOOIndia.
- Selfie Camera: The 5MP front camera took decent selfies with soft details, per TechRadar. Not ideal for social media enthusiasts.
- Video Recording: Both rear and front cameras recorded 1080p at 30fps, with stable but average quality, per Digit.in.
The dual flashlight system (standard and high-brightness) was a segment-first, enhancing low-light photography, per my tests. I rated the camera 8/10 for its price.
Software: Clean but with Bloatware
Running Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G offered a smooth yet slightly cluttered experience, per my experience.
- UI Performance: The 90Hz-optimized UI felt snappy, with customizable themes and gestures, per Gadgets360.
- AI Features: AI Eraser, AI Photo Enhance, AI Document Mode, and AI Screen Translation added utility, especially for students, per @iQOOIndia.
- Bloatware: Pre-installed apps like games and third-party tools were removable, but their presence was annoying, per TechRadar.
- Updates: Promises 2 years of OS updates and 3 years of security patches, future-proofing the device, per Digit.in.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.4, and dual-band Wi-Fi ensured reliable connections, per my tests.
I appreciated the modern Android 15 base but wished for a cleaner software experience, per my observations.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Stylish design with IP64 rating and military-grade durability.
- Massive 6000mAh battery with 1.5–2 days of life.
- Impressive 50MP Sony AI camera for the price.
- Smooth 90Hz 6.73-inch display and reliable Dimensity 6300.
- Future-proof with Android 15 and 9 5G bands.
- Cons:
- HD+ display lacks sharpness; waterdrop notch feels dated.
- Slow 18W charging for a 6000mAh battery.
- Bloatware in Funtouch OS 15.
- Average 5MP selfie camera.
Global Market Context
India’s sub-₹10,000 smartphone market, with ~50 million units sold in 2024 (Statista), is fiercely competitive. The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G (₹9,499) rivals the Redmi 13C 5G (~₹9,999) and Poco M6 5G (~₹9,499), per Gadgets360. Its 6000mAh battery, Sony camera, and 9 5G bands give it an edge, but the HD+ display lags behind some Full HD+ competitors, per TechRadar. Globally, it appeals to budget-conscious buyers in India, Southeast Asia, and Africa, per @iQOOIndia.
Top 10 Reasons to Buy iQOO Z10 Lite 5G
Top 5 Reasons to Avoid iQOO Z10 Lite 5G
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
I purchased the 4GB/128GB variant for ₹9,499, a steal for its features.
About the Author
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Sources
- Gadgets360: https://www.gadgets360.com
- TechRadar: https://www.techradar.com
- Digit.in: https://www.digit.in
- Statista: https://www.statista.com
- X post by @iQOOIndia: https://x.com/iQOOIndia
[…] a tech enthusiast who’s tested over 50 smartphones, I’m sharing the top 5 reasons to avoid the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G, based on my experience, Gadgets360, GSMArena, @iQOOIndia on X, and user feedback like Reddit’s […]