Poco F7 vs iQOO Neo 10: Which phone is a better buy under₹35,000?

The mid-range smartphone market is heating up, featuring strong contenders such as the Poco F7 and iQOO Neo 10, both vying for the same audience. If you're in the market for a new device, which one should you choose? Let's explore the details. The Poco F7 boasts a 6.83-inch 1.5K OLED display that offers a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive touch sampling rate of 2560Hz. With a peak brightness of 3200 nits and protection from Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, it's designed for durability and visibility. Notably, the F7 is rated IP68 and IP69, implying it can withstand submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes and resist hot or cold jets of water from any direction. On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 10 features a slightly smaller 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a higher refresh rate of 144Hz and a peak brightness of 5,500 nits. While it has an IP65 rating for water and dust resistance, it’s not as robust as the Poco F7, being suitable only for light splashes and rainfall. Both smartphones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 processor and Adreno 825 GPU, ensuring top-tier performance. They share similar LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 4.1 storage configurations. However, the base variant of the iQOO Neo 10 offers 8GB of RAM, compared to the 12GB on the Poco F7, although the Neo 10 supports UFS 4.1 only in its higher storage options. In terms of camera capabilities, the specifications provide some differentiation. The Poco F7 features a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera with Optical and Electronic Image Stabilization, alongside an 8MP ultra-wide lens. It also includes a 20MP front camera capable of recording video at 1080p and 60fps. The iQOO Neo 10, while it has the same primary shooter, upgrades the front camera to 32MP, also supporting 4K video recording at 60fps. For those seeking a streamlined software experience, both devices might not meet expectations, as they come with a range of pre-installed apps and advertisements. The Poco F7 operates on HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15, promising four years of OS updates and six years of security patches. Conversely, the iQOO Neo 10 runs on Funtouch OS 15, with three years of OS updates and four years of security support. Battery life is another crucial factor; the Poco F7 has a robust 7,550mAh battery with 90W fast charging support, while the iQOO Neo 10 features a slightly smaller 7,000mAh battery, also with 90W fast charging. Neither device supports wireless charging, but the substantial battery capacities suggest that users can expect over a day's usage under regular conditions. Price-wise, the iQOO Neo 10 starts at ₹31,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB storage version, escalating to ₹40,999 for the high-end 16GB RAM/512GB model. Meanwhile, the Poco F7 is priced at ₹31,999 for its 12GB RAM/256GB variant and ₹33,999 for the 12GB RAM/512GB option. In conclusion, the Poco F7 stands out as an appealing option within the sub-₹35,000 range, offering comparable features to the iQOO Neo 10 at a more attractive price point. However, the Neo 10's superior front camera may appeal to social media enthusiasts. As always, your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences in a smartphone.