“Many smartphone manufacturers today have adopted standardized designs, leaving little room for innovation. However, iQOO distinguishes itself from these brands, as evident in their recent release, the Neo 7 Pro smartphone. This device not only boasts an appealing design but also delivers remarkable performance, particularly for gaming enthusiasts.
Priced at Rs 34,999, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro falls within the mid-range category. Whether you’re interested in night photography, gaming, or daily use, this phone appears to offer an enticing package for those seeking a smartphone under Rs 35,000. It’s essential to note, though, that its IP52 rating might raise concerns, especially when compared to other smartphones in the same price range, such as the Motorola Edge 40, which offers up to an IP68 rating.
So, is the iQOO Neo 7 Pro a worthy investment? Let’s dive into an in-depth review to find out.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro: Design and Display
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro features a sleek and ergonomic design that comfortably fits in one hand. Its back panel boasts a leather finish with prominent yet tasteful iQOO branding. Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice a metallic copper accent to the branding, adding to the overall aesthetics.
The leather finish enhances grip, ensuring a secure hold without the need for an additional case. The model we’re reviewing here comes in a striking orange color, known as Fearless Flame, which is hard to ignore. Surprisingly, it manages to exude bold charm without appearing ostentatious. For those who prefer subtler options, there’s a Dark Storm color variant with a dark blue panel and no faux leather.
A metallic copper frame surrounds the camera module, providing a subtle touch of elegance. The camera lenses sit flush within the module, creating a polished look.
Turning to the front, you’ll find a 6.78-inch flat AMOLED display with minimal bezels and a punch-hole notch. The display impresses with vibrant colors and sharp visuals, offering a premium viewing experience. The 120 Hz refresh rate further enhances the display’s appeal, ensuring smooth interactions, whether you’re streaming content or gaming outdoors under bright sunlight.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro: Performance and Battery
After a month of using the iQOO Neo 7 Pro, performance remains consistently smooth. Apps load swiftly, and multitasking is a breeze, even with numerous apps running in the background. This phone is an excellent choice for those accustomed to managing multiple tasks.
It’s worth mentioning that the device comes with some pre-installed apps, which may not suit everyone’s preferences.
Streaming content on various OTT platforms offers an enjoyable experience, although the single set of speakers at the bottom might leave some users wishing for louder volume. Additionally, the absence of a 3.5mm headphone jack may disappoint those who prefer wired headsets for extended gaming sessions.
However, the phone’s screen is prone to scratches and dust accumulation with prolonged use, so investing in a screen guard is advisable. It’s also worth noting that the phone offers up to 2 years of Android OS upgrades and 3 years of security patch updates, which may be a consideration for those comparing it to competitors like OnePlus, which offers 3 years of OS upgrades in a similar price range.
In terms of battery life, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro impresses with the ability to last over a day and a half with moderate use. Light users can expect up to two days of battery life. The included 120W charger ensures fast charging, taking the battery from 0 to 100 percent in under 40 minutes. Even while streaming OTT content, the battery drain remains minimal, making it a suitable companion for entertainment on the go.
However, intensive gaming sessions can impact battery life differently, as we’ll explore in the next section.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro: Gaming Experience
For mobile gamers, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro stands out as a top choice in its price segment. Powered by the Snapdragon 8+ Gen1 Chipset, it handles even demanding games with ease.
Testing the device with Genshin Impact, it offered a smooth gaming experience on default settings. While the phone did warm up during gameplay, it didn’t reach uncomfortable levels. However, it’s worth noting that the battery saw a 3 percent drop in just 10 minutes of playing the game.
In the case of BGMI (Battlegrounds Mobile India), a 20-minute gaming session resulted in a 3 percent battery drop. Impressively, there were no heating issues even after 2 hours of continuous gaming, and the performance remained consistent.
The device offers a Game Assistant feature that allows users to enhance their gameplay by adjusting frame rates, graphics, and even enabling a voice changer. The voice changer, in particular, can be a fun and practical feature, especially for female gamers looking to communicate with strangers without revealing their identity.
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro also handles less demanding games like Asphalt Nitro, Subway Surfers, and Among Us with ease.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro: Camera
The camera setup on the iQOO Neo 7 Pro exceeds expectations. It boasts a 50-megapixel primary camera, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). The front camera offers 16 megapixels.
Testing the camera in various modes and lighting conditions, it performed admirably. Both outdoor and indoor selfies were impressive, with the option to adjust image beautification levels to your preference.
The 50-megapixel mode captures intricate details effectively, whether it’s the texture of a pet’s fur or the scenery outside a car window during travel. The OIS feature contributes to stable and clear shots.
In low-light conditions, the camera may exhibit some noise in normal mode, but this can be mitigated by using the night mode, which requires a brief period of stillness but delivers worthwhile results.
The phone supports 4K video recording at 60 FPS, making it suitable for capturing high-quality content. Features like slow-motion, time-lapse, and dual-view recording work seamlessly.
Additionally, the device includes a supermoon mode, which, while not on par with flagship devices, allows for decent moon shots when used correctly.
iQOO Neo 7 Pro: Should You Buy?
If you’re an enthusiastic gamer and photographer seeking a smartphone under Rs 35,000, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro presents a solid option. While it may heat up slightly during demanding gaming sessions, this doesn’t significantly detract from the overall experience. Moreover, the phone offers a versatile camera with various shooting modes for capturing impressive shots.
In summary, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is a compelling choice for individuals who prioritize gaming and photography in a mid-range smartphone.”