iQoo Neo 7 5G: Impressive Upgrades Shine Amid Camera Cutbacks

iQoo Neo 7 5G is the newest premium mid-tier smartphone, succeeding the iQoo Neo 6 (Review), with its release set for February 16 in India. The previous model, iQoo Neo 6, received positive feedback thanks to its solid performance at a reasonable cost. On paper, the iQoo Neo 7 5G promises notable enhancements in various aspects compared to its predecessor, making it an intriguing option. While the official pricing and availability details will be revealed during the launch event, here are our initial thoughts on the smartphone.

The iQoo Neo 7 5G will come in two storage configurations. The entry-level version includes 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM paired with 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. We received the high-end variant, which comprises 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The retail package contains a TPU case, some paperwork, a SIM eject tool, a USB Type-C to 3.5mm headphone jack adapter, and a charger.

At first look, the iQoo Neo 7 5G appears quite premium. I have the Frost Blue variant, which sports a frosted matte finish. There is also an Interstellar Black option for those preferring something more understated. Despite the polycarbonate construction, the phone feels solid and not cheap. Weighing around 193g, the iQoo Neo 7 5G measures 8.58mm in thickness.

The iQoo Neo 7 5G showcases a curved frame and rear panel

The power and volume buttons are situated on the right side of the device, while the left side is completely flat. At the bottom, you’ll find the USB Type-C port located between the main speaker and the SIM tray. A microphone cutout and an IR emitter can be found at the top.

Compared to its predecessor, the iQoo Neo 7 5G features a slightly larger display. It boasts a 6.78-inch AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. The phone also achieves a 93.11 percent screen-to-body ratio with a chin reportedly 2.65mm thick, while the remaining bezels measure about 1.65mm.

While it lacks support for Dolby Vision HDR playback like the Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G (Review), the iQoo Neo 7 5G is certified for HDR10+. Furthermore, the phone features a flat display with a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera positioned at the top center. iQoo opted for a flat screen to help prevent ghost touches during gaming. If you are looking for a device with a curved-edge display in this segment, the Realme 10 Pro+ 5G (Review) may be an alternative. More detailed information about the display features and performance can be found in the review of the iQoo Neo 7 5G.

In terms of performance, the iQoo Neo 7 5G clearly surpasses the aforementioned models. It is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8200 SoC, which features a peak clock speed of 3.1GHz and is the only chip in this category manufactured using a 4nm technology. Additionally, the smartphone houses a substantial 5,000mAh battery that supports 120W rapid charging.

The iQoo Neo 7 5G offers a taller and brighter display compared to its predecessor

iQoo has confirmed that popular titles like PUBG: New State and Call of Duty: Mobile will be able to run at 90fps. Given the substantial performance, there are also concerns regarding overheating and battery longevity, which will be assessed in the comprehensive review.

We will also evaluate the camera capabilities of the iQoo Neo 7 5G. It comes equipped with a 64-megapixel primary camera featuring optical image stabilization (OIS). The triple-camera arrangement also includes two 2-megapixel sensors dedicated to macro shots and depth sensing. Compared to the iQoo Neo 6 5G, which had an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera, the camera specifications appear to have declined. For selfies, the phone is fitted with a 16-megapixel front camera.

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The iQoo Neo 7 5G lacks an ultra-wide camera

On the software front, the iQoo Neo 7 5G operates on Funtouch OS 13, built on Android 13, right out of the box. The device is promised to receive two major Android updates and three years of security updates.

Is the iQoo Neo 7 5G the right upgrade for you? This will be discussed in detail in our upcoming review on Gadgets 360.