The mid-range smartphone market in India is buzzing with options, and two strong contenders in the sub-₹25,000 segment are the iQOO Neo 10R and the OnePlus Nord 4. Both phones offer impressive features, making it tough to choose between them. If you’re wondering which one is worth your money, this detailed comparison will break down their design, display, performance, camera, battery, and software to help you decide. By the end, you’ll know which phone suits your needs best and whether it’s the right time to buy, especially with rumors of the OnePlus Nord 5 possibly launching soon. Let’s dive in and see how these two phones stack up against each other.
Design and Build Quality
When it comes to design, both the iQOO Neo 10R and OnePlus Nord 4 have their strengths, but they cater to slightly different tastes. The OnePlus Nord 4 stands out with its premium metal unibody design, combining glass and aluminum for a sleek, dual-tone look. Available in Obsidian Midnight, Oasis Green, and Mercurial Silver, it feels classy and sturdy in hand. The aluminum frame gives it a premium edge, making it a favorite for those who value aesthetics and durability. However, after extensive use, the Nord 4’s metal body can show dents and scratches if dropped, so a good case is recommended.
On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 10R opts for a plastic frame and back, which feels less premium compared to the Nord 4. It comes in Raging Blue and MoonKnight Titanium colors, offering a modern and sporty vibe. While plastic is less durable than metal, the Neo 10R is slightly lighter at 196 grams compared to the Nord 4’s 199.5 grams. The difference is negligible, but it might matter to users who prefer a lighter phone.
Both phones are about 8mm thick and come with an IP65 rating for dust and water resistance, meaning they can handle light splashes or dust exposure. The iQOO Neo 10R has a slight advantage in display protection with Schott Xensation Up glass, which offers better tensile strength than the Nord 4’s Panda Glass. If you’re prone to dropping your phone, the Neo 10R might hold up better against scratches.
Verdict: The OnePlus Nord 4 wins for its premium metal build and stylish design, but the iQOO Neo 10R’s lighter weight and better glass protection make it a practical choice for some users.
Display Quality
The display is a crucial factor when choosing a smartphone, especially for gaming, streaming, or everyday use. The iQOO Neo 10R features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (1260 x 2800 pixels) and a 144Hz refresh rate. It supports HDR10+ and boasts a peak brightness of 4,500 nits (1,200 nits HBM), making it incredibly vibrant and visible even in bright sunlight. The higher refresh rate is a boon for gamers, as it ensures smoother animations in games like Brawl Stars.
The OnePlus Nord 4, in contrast, has a slightly smaller 6.74-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution (1240 x 2772 pixels) and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its peak brightness is lower at 2,150 nits (1,100 nits HBM), which is still good but not as impressive as the Neo 10R. Both phones support HDR video playback on platforms like YouTube and Netflix, but the iQOO’s brighter panel delivers a more vivid experience, especially for HDR content.
Another point in the Neo 10R’s favor is its 3,840Hz PWM dimming, which reduces screen flicker in low-light conditions, making it easier on the eyes compared to the Nord 4’s 250Hz PWM dimming. However, both displays are flicker-free enough for most users, thanks to their high refresh rates. When it comes to haptic feedback, the Nord 4 offers a slightly better vibration experience, which feels more refined than the Neo 10R’s.
For audio, the iQOO Neo 10R has louder stereo speakers, but neither phone delivers deep bass. The Nord 4 supports advanced Bluetooth codecs like LDAC and LDC, making it a better choice for audiophiles using high-end wireless earphones. The Neo 10R, however, lacks these codecs, which might disappoint users who prioritize audio quality over Bluetooth.
Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R takes the lead with its brighter, faster, and larger display, ideal for gaming and media consumption. The Nord 4 is still excellent but falls slightly short in brightness and refresh rate.
Performance and Gaming
Performance is where both phones shine, thanks to their powerful Snapdragon chipsets. The iQOO Neo 10R is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm), with an octa-core CPU (1×3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, 4×2.8 GHz Cortex-A720, 3×2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) and an Adreno 735 GPU. It comes in three configurations: 8GB/128GB (UFS 3.1), 8GB/256GB, and 12GB/256GB (both UFS 4.1). The Neo 10R is tailored for gamers, offering features like a built-in FPS meter, VC cooling system, e-sports mode, bypass charging, and a 2,000Hz touch sampling rate for responsive gameplay.
The OnePlus Nord 4 uses the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4nm), with an octa-core CPU (1×2.8 GHz Cortex-X4, 4×2.6 GHz Cortex-A720, 3×1.9 GHz Cortex-A520) and an Adreno 732 GPU. It offers similar storage options: 8GB/256GB and 12GB/256GB (UFS 4.0), with the 128GB variant using UFS 3.1. While the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is slightly more powerful, real-world performance differences are minimal. The Nord 4 opens apps slightly faster and has smoother animations, but the Neo 10R excels in synthetic benchmarks like AnTuTu and offers better CPU stability.
For gaming, the Neo 10R is the clear winner. It supports ray tracing and delivers 120 FPS in games like BGMI, compared to 90 FPS on the Nord 4. It also maintains higher average FPS in demanding titles like Genshin Impact and loses less battery life during gaming sessions. The Neo 10R’s cooling system keeps temperatures in check, while the Nord 4 can heat up slightly during extended gaming.
Both phones offer excellent network performance with Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6 support. However, the Nord 4 includes NFC, which the Neo 10R lacks, making it better for contactless payments.
Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R is the better choice for gamers due to its superior chipset, gaming features, and thermal management. The Nord 4 is still great for everyday tasks and casual gaming.
Camera Performance
The iQOO Neo 10R and OnePlus Nord 4 have similar camera setups, but their performance varies slightly. Both phones feature a 50MP primary sensor (Sony IMX882 on the Neo 10R, LYT600 on the Nord 4, which are essentially the same) with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. The Neo 10R has a 32MP front camera, while the Nord 4 has a 16MP selfie camera.
In daylight, the Neo 10R’s primary camera tends to oversharpen images, giving them a slightly artificial look. The Nord 4 captures more natural details, especially at 2x, 5x, and 10x zoom levels. In low light, the Neo 10R produces brighter images, which some users might prefer, but the Nord 4 retains better detail. The Neo 10R’s natural mode improves color accuracy for reds and greens, but it struggles with lighter skin tones, while both phones perform poorly with darker skin tones.
For HDR, the Neo 10R handles highlights and shadows better, but it adds a bloom effect around faces in harsh backlighting, a common issue in mid-range phones. The Nord 4 avoids this problem, delivering cleaner HDR shots. Portrait shots are excellent on both, with accurate bokeh and semantic segmentation at 1x and 2x.
The ultra-wide cameras on both phones lack detail due to their 8MP sensors, but the Neo 10R maintains better color consistency between the primary and ultra-wide lenses. For selfies, the Nord 4 offers better detail in daylight and low light, but the Neo 10R excels in HDR selfies and supports 4K video recording, compared to 1080p on the Nord 4. Video stabilization is average on both, but the Neo 10R captures slightly sharper videos, especially with the ultra-wide lens.
Verdict: The cameras are well-balanced, but the Neo 10R is better for selfies and videos, while the Nord 4 excels in primary camera shots and zoom performance.
Battery and Charging
Battery life is a strong point for both phones, but the iQOO Neo 10R takes the lead. It has a massive 6,400mAh battery, delivering 10-12 hours of screen-on time, depending on usage. This makes it ideal for heavy users who game, stream, or browse extensively. The OnePlus Nord 4 has a 5,500mAh battery, offering 8.5-9 hours of screen-on time, which is still impressive but not as long-lasting as the Neo 10R.
Charging speeds are where the Nord 4 shines. Its 100W fast charging can fully charge the phone in about 28 minutes, compared to the Neo 10R’s 80W charging, which takes around 55 minutes. Neither phone supports wireless charging, which is expected in this price range.
Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R is better for battery life, while the OnePlus Nord 4 charges faster, making it ideal for users who need quick top-ups.
Software and Updates
Software can make or break a smartphone experience. The iQOO Neo 10R runs Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15, promising 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches. Funtouch OS is functional but often criticized for bloatware and a less polished interface. It includes features like Circle to Search, which the Nord 4 lacks.
The OnePlus Nord 4 runs Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 (upgraded from Android 14 at launch), offering 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches. OxygenOS is widely praised for its clean, fast, and customizable interface, making it a favorite among Android enthusiasts. It also includes more AI features, though it misses Circle to Search.
Verdict: The OnePlus Nord 4 wins for its superior software experience and longer security update support, making it a better long-term investment.
Specification Table
| Feature | iQOO Neo 10R | OnePlus Nord 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Starting) | ₹26,999 (8GB/128GB) | ₹26,999 (8GB/128GB) |
| Display | 6.78-inch AMOLED, 1.5K (1260 x 2800), 144Hz, 4,500 nits, HDR10+ | 6.74-inch Fluid AMOLED, 1.5K (1240 x 2772), 120Hz, 2,150 nits, HDR10+ |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB/128GB (UFS 3.1), 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB (UFS 4.1) | 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB (UFS 4.0) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (f/1.8, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) | 50MP (f/1.8, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2) |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 6,400mAh, 80W fast charging | 5,500mAh, 100W fast charging |
| Software | Android 15, Funtouch OS 15 (3 years OS, 4 years security updates) | Android 15, OxygenOS 15 (3 years OS, 5 years security updates) |
| Build | Plastic frame and back, Schott Xensation Up glass | Aluminum frame and back, Panda Glass |
| Weight | 196g | 199.5g |
| IP Rating | IP65 | IP65 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6, no NFC | Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi 6, NFC |
| Colors | Raging Blue, MoonKnight Titanium | Obsidian Midnight, Oasis Green, Mercurial Silver |
Should You Buy the iQOO Neo 10R or OnePlus Nord 4?
Both the iQOO Neo 10R and OnePlus Nord 4 are excellent choices under ₹25,000, but they cater to slightly different users. The iQOO Neo 10R is the better pick for gamers and heavy users who prioritize performance, battery life, and a vibrant display. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, 144Hz refresh rate, and 6,400mAh battery make it a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking. The camera is great for selfies and videos, and the brighter display enhances media consumption.
The OnePlus Nord 4, however, is ideal for users who value premium design and software. Its metal unibody feels more luxurious, and OxygenOS 15 offers a smoother, bloat-free experience with longer security updates. It’s also better for primary camera shots and zoom, and its faster charging is a bonus for those always on the go.
Is It Worth It?
At ₹26,999, both phones offer great value for money. The iQOO Neo 10R is worth it if you’re a gamer or need a phone that lasts longer on a single charge. The OnePlus Nord 4 is worth it if you prefer a premium build, cleaner software, and faster charging. However, with rumors of the OnePlus Nord 5 launching soon, it might be worth waiting a few months if you’re not in a hurry. The Nord 4 has held up well since its launch, but a newer model could bring additional improvements.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities. If gaming and battery life are key, go for the iQOO Neo 10R. If design and software matter more, the OnePlus Nord 4 is the way to go. Let us know in the comments which phone you’d pick and why.
