The mobile gaming community in India is seeing massive growth. With that, the demand for good gaming phones is also increasing, and as the demand increases, the supply does too. Today, we have so many great gaming smartphones in India, which come at a price that doesn’t break your bank. Among them, the iQOO Neo 10R and the Realme P3 Ultra hold the top position for gaming phones under Rs 30,000. But which one suits you better? Read along to find out, as I dig into the details of both of these smartphones to help you decide which one is a better fit.
Design and Build
The first difference that you will notice between the two smartphones is that the Realme P3 Ultra is noticeably sleeker, with a 7.38mm thickness, compared to the 8mm of the iQOO Neo 10R. While both phones feature plastic backs, Realme has acrylic elements that give it a more premium, glossy look.
Another standout design feature is the quad-curved edges on the P3 Ultra, which not only enhance grip but also add to the overall aesthetic. And let’s not forget the unique moon print on the back that glows in the dark. Although I did not find myself using the feature so much it adds a fun and stylish touch.
As far as durability is concerned, the Realme P3 Ultra has an IP69 rating, compared to the IP65 rating on the iQOO Neo 10R. For screen protection, Realme uses Gorilla Glass 7i, while iQOO opts for Schott Xensation glass.
Performance
This is where the real test lies for both of these smartphones. The iQOO Neo 10R is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset while the Realme P3 Ultra runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra chipset. In our benchmark testing, the Neo 10R scored over 1.5 million on AnTuTu benchmarks, while the Realme P3 Ultra lags slightly behind with a score of under 1.4 million. The story is the same on Geekbench — iQOO comes out ahead.
To test the thermals, I also ran the CPU throttling test on both of these smartphones. In thermal management tests, the Neo 10R shows better stability and less throttling under continuous load, while the P3 Ultra tends to heat up quicker and takes longer to cool down.
In real-world gaming tests, both phones run BGMI at 90fps smoothly. However, iQOO provides a more consistent frame rate with better temperature control.
Display
Both smartphones sport 1.5K resolution panels with 120Hz refresh rates. However, iQOO claims a 144Hz refresh rate, which only activates in select games. It also offers a higher touch sampling rate, making the phone feel a bit more responsive during fast interactions.
In terms of brightness, both phones perform exceptionally well, with over 2000 nits of peak brightness: 2050 nits on the Realme and 2000 nits on the iQOO.
When it comes to colour profiles, the Neo 10R offers more vivid and punchy visuals, while the P3 Ultra sticks to more natural tones. It comes down to preference: do you like vibrant visuals or true-to-life accuracy?
Camera
Though not primarily camera phones, both offer decent photography experiences. The Realme P3 Ultra tends to produce warmer, more vibrant photos, while the iQOO Neo 10R captures images with more natural colours and better dynamic range.
In portrait mode, iQOO does a better job with less artificial processing, whereas Realme’s portraits look a bit too enhanced. However, on the selfie front, the Realme P3 Ultra takes the lead with sharper and more detailed shots.
Battery
Here’s where the iQOO Neo 10R absolutely dominates. The iQOO Neo 10R features a 6400mAh battery, while the Realme P3 Ultra has a 6000mAh battery. Both the phones support 80W fast charging, but iQOO just lasts longer.
In PC Mark’s battery life test, the Neo 10R lasted for 22 hours and 49 minutes, while the Realme P3 Ultra tapped out at 15 hours and 39 minutes. In real-world usage like gaming and video playback, both perform similarly, but the higher capacity gives iQOO a clear edge.
Software and UI
Both smartphones offer a clean, modern UI with minimal bloatware and latest Android versions. They also include AI-based features, and while their UIs are bright and slightly quirky, the overall user experience is comparable.
Which one is a better gaming phone?
If your top priority is performance, battery life, and gaming, the iQOO Neo 10R is the clear winner. It’s built to handle heavy loads, lasts longer, and provides an overall snappier experience.
On the other hand, if you want an exciting design, compact form factor, and a better camera, the Realme P3 Ultra is a good choice. It looks better, feels better in hand, and performs well for most tasks.
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Mustafa Khan
Mustafa is a young tech journalist who tells it like it is, cutting through buzzwords to deliver straightforward smartphone reviews. He’s the office go-to for insider tips and quick demos, and his video content doesn’t waste anyone’s time. When he’s off the clock, he geeks out over cars, photography, and hunting down the best spot for Indian food. View Full Profile
