As the smartphone market continues to evolve, two strong contenders have emerged in the mid-range segment in 2025: the iQOO Neo 10R and the Nothing Phone (3a). Both devices promise premium features at affordable prices, but which one offers better value for your needs? Here’s a breakdown of their strengths in various categories to help you decide.
🖥️ Display & Design
iQOO Neo 10R
The Neo 10R sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 4,500 nits. This makes it one of the brightest displays in its class, excellent for outdoor use. The display is protected by Schott Xensation Up glass and supports HDR10+, ensuring rich colors and contrast.
Nothing Phone (3a)
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The Nothing Phone (3a) opts for a 6.77-inch flexible AMOLED panel, combining a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate with 3,000 nits of peak brightness for a vibrant, responsive display experience.
✅ Verdict: The iQOO Neo 10R edges ahead with a higher refresh rate and much brighter display—ideal for gamers and outdoor users.
⚙️ Performance
iQOO Neo 10R
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At its core, the iQOO Neo 10R runs on the powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and ultra-fast UFS 4.1 storage. With features like Monster Mode, bypass charging, and a 2000Hz touch sampling rate, it’s clearly designed with gamers and performance-heavy users in mind.
Nothing Phone (3a)
The Nothing Phone (3a) is equipped with a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, up to 12GB RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage. It introduces a unique AI-driven feature called Essential Space, which intelligently organizes content and apps to boost productivity.
✅ Verdict: For sheer raw performance, especially gaming and multitasking, the iQOO Neo 10R is the better performer.
📸 Camera
iQOO Neo 10R
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The iQOO Neo 10R is equipped with a dual-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, it houses a 32MP selfie camera capable of capturing sharp, detailed images.
Nothing Phone (3a)
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Taking things up a notch, the Phone (3a) features a sophisticated triple-camera array: a 50MP main sensor, a 50MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide lens—plus a sharp 32MP front camera for standout selfies.
✅ Verdict: The Nothing Phone (3a) offers a more versatile and powerful camera setup, catering to photography enthusiasts.
🔋 Battery & Charging
iQOO Neo 10R
This phone boasts a 6,400mAh battery, one of the largest in the segment. It supports 80W wired fast charging, which can reach 50% in just 26 minutes.
Nothing Phone (3a)
Powering the Phone (3a) is a 5,000mAh battery, backed by 50W fast charging that gets you to 50% in just 19 minutes—perfect for users on the go.
✅ Verdict: While the Nothing Phone (3a) charges slightly faster, the iQOO Neo 10R wins with a much larger battery, making it better for power users.
💰 Pricing in India (May 2025)
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iQOO Neo 10R: ₹26,998 (8GB + 128GB)
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Nothing Phone (3a): ₹26,999 (8GB + 256GB)
✅ Verdict: Both phones are nearly identical in price. However, the Nothing Phone (3a) offers double the storage at the base variant, making it the more cost-effective option for media-heavy users.
🏁 Final Recommendation
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Choose the iQOO Neo 10R if you:
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Prioritize high-performance gaming
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Need longer battery life
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Want a super-bright, high-refresh display
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Choose the Nothing Phone (3a) if you:
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Prefer a better camera system
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Like a unique design and AI features
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Want more storage at the same price
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Both are excellent picks in their own right—your decision depends on whether you value performance or photography and design more.