iQOO Z10 Lite 5G: Let’s face it — trying to purchase a budget smartphone these days is like trying to find your way through a maze. There are a countless number of options, each touting big specs at a small cost.

And in this cacophonous space, iQOO — a sub-brand of Vivo — is in the process of making its name heard for offering performance-first products, without making your bank balance blow up.

Which brings us neatly to the iQOO Z10 Lite 5G – the new entry-level warrior that promises speed, in a stylish package, with a 5G tick, and without needing to flog a kidney.

But is it that good that it deserves all the attention, or is it yet another addition to the list of “Almost there” phones? Let’s dig in.

Design & Display: Clean and Swipey Goodness

First things first, the design isn’t going to steal the show, as a flagship would, but it’s not all that shabby either.

A transparent plastic back sports a polish gradient finish with a touch of flair, and the curved edges makes it comfortable to hold. It’s light and grippy, and it won’t bulge out of your pocket.

Flip to the front and you have a 6.67-inch FHD+ IPS LCD display that has a refresh rate of 120Hz. It’s not AMOLED, but the colors are punchy and scrolling through apps and documents feels snappy.

Whethere you’re doom-scrolling social media or going on a YouTube shorts binge, the screen is good enough.

Performance: Quick When It Matters Most

Now let’s talk power. iQOO Z10 Lite 5G is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 SoC, up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. This arrangement is more than acceptable given that this is a budget phone.

It runs multiple apps well — you can flip between them with no lag — and even demanding games such as BGMI and Asphalt 9 install and play reasonably well on medium settings.

What’s even better? It’s future-proofed with 5G support, so you won’t be left in the dust when the high-speed network becomes the new standard across the country.

Software: Smooth and Snappy

The Z10 Lite 5G is out of the box with Funtouch OS 13 which is based on Android 13. Funtouch OS can take some getting used to though, and might be a love-it-or-hate-it interface for some.

It has loads of features and plenty of customization options, but yes, there is some bloatware to sift through. The good news? Most of that can be uninstalled.

The fluid nature and snappy performance of the UI is also something to be appreciated. Animations are smooth and the 120Hz refresh rate no doubt helps everything feel snappier than you’d expect at this price.

Cameras: Okay in the Day, Meh at Night

On the rear, it features a 50MP primary sensor alongside a 2MP depth sensor. It takes decent shots for daylight photos — colors are natural, and it affords you good enough detail for your social media posts.

Portrait mode does a decent enough job, though edge detection can be hit or miss.

At night or in very low light, it flags. The images are noisy and lacking in detail, but we’d expect that given the price. The 8MP selfie camera does the job, if you’re into selfies and video calls, but it won’t knock your socks off.

Battery Life: A Long, Consistent Charge

The Z10 Lite is backed by a 5000mAh battery, which is one of its strengths. If you’re a light or moderate user of your phone, it should carry you through a day with ease.

And when you do need to give it some juice, the 18W fast charging does the job — though not blow-your-hair-back fast, it’s good for overnight or mid-day top-ups.

Pros

Smooth 120Hz display

Performance you can count on Snapdragon 4 Gen 2

Solid all-day battery life

Clean design with good build

5G support at a budget price

Cons

LCD instead of AMOLED display

Camera performance in low light is not great

Bloatware in Funtouch OS

18W charging seems slow in 2025 terms

No ultra-wide or macro lens

iQOO Z10 Lite 5G: Final Thoughts: A Sensible Purchase for the Sensible Shopper

The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G isn’t attempting to rewrite the rulebook; it’s just making sure the fundamental stuff is in order.

A good performance, a smooth screen, a reliable battery and a dash of style precisely is what you’ve got here.

Not great, but also, not bad for under ₹13,000, making it a decent pick for students, working professionals, and everyone in between who wants 5G on the cheap without sacrificing too much.

So if you’re getting jaded of flashy but shallow phones, this Lite might just pack the punch you’ve been waiting for.

Also read this –