The mid-range smartphone market is heating up in 2025, with two standout contenders—the iQoo Neo 10R and the Nothing Phone 3a—offering impressive features at competitive prices. Both devices are priced starting at ₹24,999 in India, making them accessible to a wide audience. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct differences that cater to different user preferences. Let’s dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one suits your needs better.
The iQoo Neo 10R boasts a sleek and modern design with dimensions of 163.7 x 75.9 x 8 mm and a weight of 196 grams. It features a glass front protected by Schott Xensation Up glass and a plastic back and frame, ensuring durability without compromising on aesthetics. The device is IP65-rated, making it dust-tight and resistant to low-pressure water jets, which adds a layer of practicality for everyday use.
The Nothing Phone 3a, on the other hand, has a slightly thicker and heavier build at 163.5 x 77.5 x 8.4 mm and 201 grams. It retains Nothing’s signature transparent design with three LED light strips on the back, which serve as notification indicators, camera fill lights, and customizable lighting zones. The phone is IP64-rated, offering protection against dust and water splashes. While both devices are sturdy, the Nothing Phone 3a’s unique design and LED features give it an edge in terms of visual appeal.
The iQoo Neo 10R features a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 4500 nits. The resolution of 1260 x 2800 pixels ensures sharp visuals with a pixel density of 452 ppi. The display is protected by Schott Xensation Up glass and supports an always-on display feature, making it ideal for gamers and multimedia enthusiasts.
The Nothing Phone 3a comes with a slightly smaller 6.77-inch AMOLED display but with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. It has a peak brightness of 3000 nits and a resolution of 1080 x 2392 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 387 ppi. The display is protected by Panda Glass and supports Ultra HDR image rendering. While it doesn’t match the Neo 10R’s refresh rate or peak brightness, it still delivers a vibrant and smooth viewing experience.
Under the hood, the iQoo Neo 10R is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process. It features an octa-core CPU (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) and an Adreno 735 GPU, ensuring top-tier performance for gaming and multitasking. The device runs on Android 15 with iQoo’s Funtouch 15 skin and promises up to three major Android upgrades.
The Nothing Phone 3a is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, also built on a 4nm process. Its octa-core CPU (1x2.5 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A720, and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A520) and Adreno 710 GPU deliver solid performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. It runs on Android 15 with Nothing OS 3.1, offering a clean and bloatware-free experience. While it’s not as powerful as the Neo 10R, it’s more than capable for most users.
The iQoo Neo 10R sports a dual-camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor (f/1.8, OIS) and an 8 MP ultrawide sensor (f/2.2). It supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps and features like LED flash, panorama, and HDR. The 32 MP front camera ensures high-quality selfies and video calls.
The Nothing Phone 3a steps up with a triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP primary sensor (f/1.9, OIS), a 50 MP telephoto sensor (2x optical zoom), and an 8 MP ultrawide sensor (f/2.2). It also supports 4K video recording and offers additional features like Circle to Search. The 32 MP front camera is comparable to the Neo 10R’s, making it a better choice for photography enthusiasts.
The iQoo Neo 10R packs a massive 6400 mAh battery with 80W wired charging, capable of charging the device to 50% in just 26 minutes. It also supports 7.5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging for gaming.
The Nothing Phone 3a has a 5000 mAh battery with 50W wired charging, reaching 50% in 19 minutes. While it lacks reverse charging, it still offers reliable battery life for most users.
iQoo Neo 10R: Includes an infrared port, 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res audio, and bypass charging for gamers.
Nothing Phone 3a: Features NFC support, customizable LED light strips, and a cleaner software experience with Nothing OS 3.1.
The iQoo Neo 10R is a powerhouse designed for gamers and heavy users, offering superior performance, a high-refresh-rate display, and a massive battery. On the other hand, the Nothing Phone 3a excels in design, camera versatility, and software experience, making it a great choice for those who prioritize aesthetics and photography.
Ultimately, your choice depends on your priorities. If raw performance and gaming are your focus, the iQoo Neo 10R is the way to go. But if you value design, camera quality, and a clean user interface, the Nothing Phone 3a won’t disappoint. Both devices offer excellent value for money, making them strong contenders in the mid-range segment.
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