Pros
Vibrant AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate
Excellent gaming performance
80W fast charging
Cons
Not super comfortable for single-hand usage
Cluttered UI
iQOO in a short span created its own fanbase of gaming smartphone users. Thanks to the company’s high-end gaming Android phones that hardly burn a hole in the pockets and deliver a premium gameplay experience. Amongst the brands, the popular gaming smartphone series is the Neo which debuted in the country with the launch of the Neo 6.
The iQOO Neo 6 is a value flagship that competes with some of the noted premium mid-tier phones under the Rs. 30,000 price mark. The device comes with a starting price of Rs. 29,999 for which you get the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage option.
You can also opt for the 12GB RAM+ 256GB storage option that’ll cost you Rs. 33,999. The iQOO Neo 6 has some solid hardware under its hood including the Snapdragon 870 octa-core chipset, a 120Hz AMOLED screen, and 80W fast charging. But is just the on-sheet specs good or the overall user experience with the iQOO Neo 6? We have shared our feedback in this long-term user review:
iQOO Neo 6 Review: Design And Display Experience
The iQOO Neo 6 wears the signature design as the other iQOO models introduced in recent times. The device flaunts a shimmering back panel with a large square camera island painted in black and mirror tones. The polycarbonate body material gives it a sturdy feel while maintaining appealing aesthetics.
The iQOO Neo 6 has curved edges that help with a comfortable hold despite the large form factor. You won’t find the phone bulky despite the large screen size. However, single-hand operations become a tad difficult; specifically, if it’s not the basic usage such as browsing or answering/making calls and texts.
The iQOO Neo 6 comes in Dark Nova and Cyber Rage color options. We have received the latter. This color variant reflects rainbow shades when exposed to light. This is a funky-looking variant as opposed to the subtle-looking Dark Nova shade. You can select either color option depending on your preferences.
iQOO has always been a step ahead in the display game with its affordable and mid-range phones. And since the iQOO Neo 6 comes as a value flagship, it makes sure you don’t get disappointed with the panel quality. It is equipped with a 6.62-inch display. iQOO has opted for a Samsung E4 AMOLED screen which is super responsive and offers a vivid output throughout.
The panel on the Neo 6 supports a 1080 x 2400 pixels FHD+ screen resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. You will get a fluid response scrolling through the screen on this phone. You can easily toggle between 60 and 120Hz refresh rates from the display settings. Bot just the high-frequency response, the iQOO Neo 6’s display is also good with color production and rendering deeper blacks.
The large screen size along with the high-res visuals delivers the perfect binge-watching experience of your favorite shows and movies. Besides, the smooth feedback with the touch enhances the gaming experience. The iQOO Neo 6’s panel offers 800 nits peak brightness which makes its sufficiently bright under direct sunlight. You won’t really have to struggle reading your phone’s screen under direct sunlight.
Hardware And UI
The iQOO Neo 6 brings the octa-core Snapdragon 870 chipset to the table. Now, iQOO has been integrating the new-generation Qualcomm chipsets to power most of its gaming smartphones. This strategy is somehow working in the brand’s favor. While the company could have used the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 series chipset or the Snapdragon 888, it rather selected the Snapdragon 870 which is also a premium range chipset. This has allowed the brand to keep the handset’s cost on the lower end of the spectrum without compromising its efficiency anyhow.
The Neo 6 has been blazing fast with all the tasks thrown at it. It can easily handle the heaviest or most extensive apps without any lags or hiccups. Performance is the Neo 6’s forte. You can play games throughout the day and yet not feel the temperatures getting unstable.
Thermal management is also good with the Neo 6. You’ll experience minimal warm-up issues too when the device is plugged into the charger and is being used simultaneously. With 8GB/12GB RAM, you can be assured of a swift multitasking experience. The handset also has a virtual RAM option that supplements additional RAM for better feedback with multitasking.
You’ll get the best user experience with gaming. And if you are one of those avid or pro gamers, you should definitely consider the Neo 6. We have played multiple high-intensity games and with titles such as Shadow Fight IV and Asphalt 9, we loved every bit of the action on the screen. All thanks to the improved haptic feedback with the X-axis linear motor.
The iQOO Neo 6 has an onboard storage capacity of up to 256GB. Keep in mind it comes with a hybrid SIM slot, so, you won’t get to use two SIM cards and a microSD card simultaneously. Going for the high-end model if your budget allows would be the wise move.
iQOO has installed the Android 12 OS in the Neo 6 and has topped it with the custom FunTouch OS 12 user interface. Now, we are glad that the brand ships this device with the latest Android version. However, the pre-installed bloatware with the FunTouch OS is a drawback in our opinion. It makes the UI cluttered which is the only reason we aren’t a big fan of it.
Camera User Experience
While iQOO has set its standards high with gaming, it manages to give a good imaging experience with all of its smartphones. The Neo 6’s 64MP triple rear camera module and the 16MP selfie snapper don’t disappoint here. The rear camera island houses a 64MP primary lens. This is a Samsung GW1P sensor that doubles up as a wide-angle lens and is combined with an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor.
The iQOO Neo 6 is good with daylight photography which is the case with most of the premium range phones. But it also manages to maintain the detailing levels with the captured shots with slightly low light backgrounds. The cameras offer a high dynamic range with the well-lit backgrounds
. The color production is also decent with the images not looking dull or oversaturated when clicked with any mode. Speaking of which, there are multiple shooting modes that you can use for different effects. The video recording is also good with the main camera.
You get to record 4K videos at 60fps. The Neo 6’s back cameras also capture well-defined images during the night. The output is less grainy or hazy if you switch on the dedicated Night mode from the camera app. The selfie camera performance is also good on the iQOO Neo 6. The 16MP selfie snapper captures ample details making your self-portraits crisp and vivid.
Battery And Fast Charging
The iQOO Neo 6 has a 4,700 mAh battery completing its hardware package. The handset is easily able to last close to an entire day on a single charge. Consider moderate to light usage if you want this backup. You will need to connect a charger towards the end of the day if you have been using it extensively. It comes with 80W fast charging support which is super quick with battery refuels. It takes around half an hour for a full recharge which comes in handy if you use your smartphone throughout the day and the battery gets discharged frequently.
iQOO Neo 6: Final Verdict
The iQOO Neo 6 with an asking price of Rs. 29,999 makes for one great deal in its league. It is one of the few Android phones which makes for a complete package with its premium-grade hardware and pocket-friendly pricing. If you wish for a phone that can easily crush intensive games and yet doesn’t compromise on the multimedia or photography experience, the Neo 6 makes for a good fit.
