iQOO has been quietly reshaping the budget phone game in India, and the Z10x is its latest attempt to raise the bar under ₹15,000. It replaces the Z9x with a refreshed design, a newer Dimensity 7300 chip, a bigger battery, and a few subtle but smart upgrades—like UFS 3.1 storage and IP64 dust and water resistance.
On paper, it sounds like a solid all-rounder. But in a segment where brands are constantly cutting corners to hit aggressive price points, how much of that promise actually holds up in real-world use? We spent some time with the iQOO Z10x to find out.
iQOO Z10x: Price & Variants
The iQOO Z10x is available in three configurations:
- 6GB RAM + 128GB storage – ₹13,499
- 8GB RAM + 128GB storage – ₹14,999
- 8GB RAM + 256GB storage – ₹16,499
It’s important to note that there’s no option for expandable storage on the Z10x. That makes the 256GB variant more appealing for users who store a lot of media or apps, even if it pushes the price above the ₹15K mark.
The 8GB + 128GB version remains the sweet spot for most users, offering enough memory and internal storage for daily use without stretching the budget.
iQOO Z10x: Design & Display
The iQOO Z10x makes a strong first impression. Compared to the iQOO Z9X, this feels like a more refined device, especially in terms of design. iQOO has stuck with a polycarbonate build, but it doesn’t come across as cheap.
The flat mid-frame gives it structure, while the slightly curved rear panel makes it easier to grip. What really stands out, though, is the matte plastic back with a subtle, wave-like shimmer. It reflects light in a pleasing way and does a good job at hiding fingerprints.
The camera module has been redesigned, too. Gone is the circular bump; in its place is a rectangular unit tucked into the top-left corner. It has a glossy finish, which does tend to attract smudges, but it’s well-integrated into the overall look.
Inside, you’ll find two camera lenses and a ring light—not for photography, but for notifications, calls, and charging status. It’s a functional addition that adds some personality to the phone without being overbearing.
Even with a large battery inside, the Z10x stays relatively slim and lightweight. The rounded corners help with comfort, and it’s a phone that’s easy to hold for long periods.
An IP64 rating and a claim of military-grade toughness are both rare at this price but it's also not the best. The Realme P3X for instance offers IP68/69 dust and water resistance rating.
The improvements are clear on the back of the phone, but the front still feels like an area where compromises were made. The LCD panel retains the same specs—FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 6.72-inch diagonal—but the bezels are noticeably thick.
They’re slightly slimmer on the sides, thicker at the top, and fairly chunky at the bottom. Compared to the iQOO Z9x, the design feels like a step back here. It doesn’t ruin the experience, but it does pull you out of the otherwise modern look.
The display offers punchy colours, decent outdoor visibility, and the touch response feels responsive enough for both casual gaming and everyday tasks. It’s a display that does its job well, without aiming too high. Of course, it’s not OLED, so you won’t get the deep blacks or the same level of contrast.
iQOO Z10x: Camera Performance
The iQOO Z10x features a 50MP main camera on the rear, paired with a basic 2MP depth sensor. Up front, there’s an 8MP selfie camera. On paper, this setup is fairly typical for the segment, and in practice, it performs about as expected—with a few surprises.
In good lighting, the main camera delivers decent shots. There’s fair detail, and the colours are mostly accurate, if slightly on the cooler side at times. Where it stumbles is portrait mode. Edge detection is hit-or-miss, and images often look over-processed.
Low-light performance, surprisingly, holds up better than expected. Shots retain a reasonable amount of detail and exposure is handled fairly well, though noise does creep in. .
Selfies are usable, too—not overly sharp or detailed, but good enough for video calls or social media with some basic tuning. That said, the overall camera package leaves you wanting more.
iQOO Z10x: Performance & Software
Under the hood, the Z10x runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chip, clocked at up to 2.5GHz. It’s a solid performer for the price. In everyday use, the iQOO Z10x feels fast and responsive—apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and the overall experience rarely misses a beat.
A big reason behind that is the inclusion of UFS 3.1 storage, which translates to faster app load times and less lag when switching between tasks.
Benchmmark scores are very reasonable too - AnTuTu scores came in at 689,221, just ahead of close competitors like the Vivo T4x. On Geekbench, it managed 1,029 in single-core and 2,813 in multi-core tests
The phone ships with FunTouch OS 15, layered over Android 14. There are some genuinely helpful features here—AI Eraser, screen translation, and a few neat AI-powered tools.
But like other FunTouch devices, the experience is marred by bloatware and constant push notifications from preinstalled apps. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it definitely takes some shine off the otherwise solid performance package.
iQOO also promises two years of Android updates and three years of security patches.
iQOO Z10x: Battery & Charging
The iQOO Z10x comes with a 6,500 mAh battery—a noticeable upgrade from the previous model’s 6,000 mAh unit. It’s a meaningful bump, and it shows in day-to-day use.
With moderate usage—messaging, social apps, some video streaming, and light gaming—the phone easily stretches across two full days on a single charge. Battery anxiety isn’t something you’ll have to worry about here.
Charging, however, is a bit of a mixed bag. iQOO retains the same 44W fast charging support from the previous model. It’s not slow, but it’s also not keeping up with the increasingly aggressive fast-charging speeds we’re seeing in this segment.
In our testing, a full charge from 0 to 100% took about 1 hour and 42 minutes. That’s acceptable for overnight top-ups or casual users, but if you're used to 65W or 80W systems, the wait might feel a little long.
Still, the battery endurance more than makes up for it. For users who prioritize longevity over speed, the Z10x delivers where it matters.
Verdict: iQOO Z10x Review
At under ₹15,000, the iQOO Z10x offers more than what you’d typically expect from a budget phone. It brings a sharp design, solid everyday performance thanks to the Dimensity 7300 chip, and a battery that easily lasts two days.
There are trade-offs, of course. The LCD screen has chunky bezels and lacks the richness of OLED. The cameras are functional but not standout, especially when it comes to portraits. And the software experience still suffers from bloatware and notification spam, even though it comes with some useful AI tricks.
Still, if you’re after a phone under ₹15,000 that delivers where it counts—battery life, build, and reliable performance—the iQOO Z10x is hard to ignore. It’s not flashy, but it’s smartly specced and thoughtfully balanced for its price.
