The iQOO Neo 7 5G isn’t a phone that tries to be everything; But it does one thing very well. That is, being a smartphone designed for gaming, the iQOO Neo 7 delivers on multiple fronts, and makes for a sensible trade-off – especially considering its affordable price tag.
After using the phone for over a month, I can say with confidence, if you want a gaming phone under Rs 30,000 with reliable performance and functional design, then iQOO Neo 7 could be a worthy option .
That’s our review of the iQOO Neo 7 5G.
Performance: Does not sweat
The display of the iQOO Neo 7 is its main selling point. The phone is pretty snappy with the Dimensity 8200 SoC and 12GB of RAM. I never experienced lag – whether gaming or doing regular tasks.
For gaming, in particular, the phone is a great option! You can enjoy smooth speeds of 90fps in games like Call of Duty Mobile and the phone can handle heavy workloads for long periods of time. I played COD Mobile for about 45 minutes at a time, and I didn’t notice many frame drops.
The Dimensity 8200, which powers the device, is a 4nm chip, and based on my testing, it sits somewhere between the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and the mighty 8 Gen 2 in terms of gaming.
Sure, it gets a little hot, but what phone doesn’t, right?
Display, speakers and media consumption
The display of the iQOO Neo 7 might not be the best in its category, but it is good nonetheless. The display is pretty decent, with rich blacks thanks to the 120Hz AMOLED panel, and great viewing angles. The outdoor brightness, which the brand says is up to 1300 nits, was sufficient for me to see the display under the scorching Rajasthan sun. What I really appreciate is the thin bezel and flat display. As a gaming-focused device, the flat display avoids the accidental touch problem of some high-end flagships of a certain *Galaxy*, ahem.
However, the speakers need some improvement. Even though they have stereo speakers – one in the ear piece and another on the bottom, the stereo separation, mids and lows aren’t great. The speakers are loud but lack crispness. For gaming, I didn’t pay much attention to the speakers as I could clearly hear the footsteps in games. Call quality was also excellent. I could hear the other person very well, and he said I sounded fine too. So, no problem here.
Camera: Potential, but could be better
The iQOO Neo 7 sports a dual camera setup at the back – a 64MP main sensor and a secondary ‘bokeh’ sensor. Even though this setup has fewer lenses than the iQOO Neo 6 (which had both wide and ultrawide angle lenses), the image quality from the iQOO Neo 7’s main camera is good for the price.
Dynamic range is accurate in most cases, with balanced HDR, and highlight roll off is well done. I compared it to the Samsung Galaxy S23, a much more expensive device, and was surprised to find I could barely notice any difference in terms of detail.
Photos come sharp even in indoor artificial lighting. Although 4k30 video is not very impressive. It lacks detail, overexposes highlights and is quite shaky.
The front camera, which is 16MP, will suit casual selfie takers, but if you like natural shots, without the added beautification and skin softening and reshaping, then iQOO Neo 7 is not the phone for you.
In portrait mode, it adds an extra layer of sharpness, which isn’t very appealing. But considering that the average user doesn’t mind smooth skin, or even likes it, I’d say the phone is fine for that.
Here are some more camera samples:
Battery life and charging experience are top notch
iQOO Neo 7 performed well in terms of battery. The phone’s standby time is great, and lasts a long time—about a day and a half—even for heavy users. And, the best part—you can charge it super fast if your battery gets low by using the 120W fast charger that comes with the phone.
I could easily charge it from 10% to full in less than 30 minutes. As far as screen-on time is concerned, I got about 7.5 hours when kept off the charger for about a day and a half. I think, the way iQOO has optimized the Dimensity 8200 plays a vital role in ensuring good battery life.
Design: Plastic, but should you care?
The build is mostly plastic, and it doesn’t feel very premium for a Rs 30,000 phone but does it really matter? I mean, if you are looking for a good gaming phone which is functional, then the design should not deter you from buying the device. But, if you prefer premium materials like glass and metal, then avoid the iQOO Neo 7.
The plastic build doesn’t feel low quality, though, and it actually looks like glass, and resists fingerprints, thanks to the matte finish. Also, it does not spoil easily. I didn’t see any deep scratches on the back or even the display glass for that matter.
Software: A ‘Funtouch’ That Will Grow On You
As a Pixel user, I love my stock Android, and stock-like UIs from other OEMs like Motorola, and even though I started the review period with a bias against iQOO’s FunTouch OS, which is based on Android 13 Yes – my opinion has changed. I really like the ‘fun’ touches added by iQOO – especially the gaming features.
Features like Ultra Game Mode, which allows for things like frame-rate priority, minimized disturbances, and various other customization features like where you can change touch screen animations, ambient lighting effects, and even the charging animation. are – make the iQOO Neo 7 a dream for Android power users.
So yeah, while I may not need all the features, I’m sure enthusiasts will enjoy them.
However, one thing I hate about the software experience is the pre-installed apps, including apps like Byju’s, etc. Hot Apps is also troubling personally. Thankfully, you can uninstall apps if you want, which you definitely should. iQOO, please remove these apps.
Verdict: A reflection of pragmatism
iQOO Neo 7 is a phone that focuses on gaming performance, and it does it very well. With a fast and reliable processor, a smooth and functional display, a decent main camera and a long-lasting and quick-charging battery, the phone delivers on its promise. It might not have the most premium design or the best speakers or the most versatile camera setup, but it makes a sensible compromise for its price. If you are looking for a gaming phone under Rs 30,000, then the iQOO Neo 7 is a worthy option.
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