Realme P3 Ultra vs iQOO Neo 10R: Which Is the Best Smartphone Under ₹25K?

Two new contenders have entered the increasingly competitive under ₹25K smartphone market, making the choice tougher than ever. The Realme P3 Ultra and iQOO Neo 10R both pack flagship-level performance, stunning displays, and ultra-fast charging, but each takes a different approach.

If you're stuck wondering which one is the real complete package, don't worry-we're here to make the decision easy. Let's break it down.

Realme P3 Ultra vs iQOO Neo 10R: Full Specs Comparison

Design and Build Quality

The Realme P3 Ultra is sleek and lightweight, measuring 7.4mm thick and 183g. It features an IP68/IP69 rating, making it highly resistant to dust and high-pressure water jets, though it is not fully waterproof. The device is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, offering better drop resistance.

The iQOO Neo 10R is slightly bulkier at 8mm thick and 196g. With an IP65 rating, it provides protection against dust and low-pressure water jets but offers less water resistance than the P3 Ultra. The display is reinforced with Schott Xensation Up glass for added durability.

In terms of aesthetics, the Realme P3 Ultra is available in three colors: Glowing Lunar White, which features a glow-in-the-dark moon pattern, and Neptune Blue and Orion Red, both with a vegan leather back. The iQOO Neo 10R comes in Raging Blue, with a dual-tone finish, and MoonKnight Titanium, a more understated color option.

Personally, I'd go with the P3 Ultra, as its design feels more refined and premium.

Display Experience

Both smartphones boast AMOLED displays with 1 billion colors and a resolution of 2800 pixels in width, but they take different approaches when it comes to refresh rate and brightness.

The Realme P3 Ultra features a 6.83-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1500 nits peak brightness. It delivers a smooth visual experience, but in terms of brightness, it lags behind its competitor.

The iQOO Neo 10R, on the other hand, has a 6.78-inch panel with a higher 144Hz refresh rate and a remarkable 4500 nits peak brightness. This means it's better suited for outdoor visibility, offering clearer and more vibrant visuals under direct sunlight. If display smoothness and brightness are priorities, the Neo 10R has an edge.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Realme P3 Ultra is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultra, a 4nm chipset paired with the Mali G615-MC6 GPU. This configuration delivers strong gaming performance and efficient multitasking, but it falls slightly short of its competitor in raw power.

The iQOO Neo 10R, in comparison, comes with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, an equally efficient 4nm chip that includes Adreno 735 GPU. While both devices will handle daily tasks and gaming effortlessly, the Neo 10R's Snapdragon chip has better optimization for gaming, offering smoother frame rates in resource-intensive titles.

On the software front, the Realme P3 Ultra runs Android 15 with Realme UI 6.0, while the Neo 10R ships with Android 15 with Funtouch OS 15. The major advantage of the Neo 10R is its promise of three major Android updates (compared to P3 Ultra's measly two years of support), making it a more future-proof choice for users who like to keep their phones for a few years.

Camera Performance

Smartphone cameras have become a major deciding factor for buyers, and both Realme and iQOO have included 50MP primary sensors on their devices. However, their approaches differ in some key aspects.

The Realme P3 Ultra's 50MP main camera uses a 1/1.56" Light Fusion 800 sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), making it capable of capturing detailed and stable images even in low light. The 8MP ultrawide camera adds versatility for landscape and group shots, although its field of view is slightly more limited than some higher-end ultrawide sensors.

The iQOO Neo 10R also features a 50MP main camera with OIS, but it has a smaller 1/1.95" sensor, meaning it might not capture as much light in darker settings. Like the P3 Ultra, it includes an 8MP ultrawide lens, which performs similarly in terms of color accuracy and detail.

However, the Neo 10R takes the lead in the selfie department, offering a higher-resolution 32MP front camera, compared to the P3 Ultra's 16MP sensor. This makes a noticeable difference for users who rely on their front camera for vlogs, video calls, and social media content.

In terms of video capabilities, both devices support 4K recording at 30/60fps, with stabilization features like gyro-EIS.

You can check out our first impressions review of the Realme P3 Ultra to get an idea of how the cameras perform.

Battery and Charging

The Realme P3 Ultra houses a 6000mAh battery, which is slightly smaller than the 6400mAh unit on the Neo 10R. While the difference in battery life might not be huge in real-world usage, the Neo 10R's larger capacity gives it an edge in longevity, particularly for heavy users.

Both phones support 80W wired fast charging, but the Neo 10R takes things a step further with 55W PD fast charging, allowing for quicker top-ups with any PD charger. It also supports 7.5W reverse charging, whereas the P3 Ultra maxes out at 5W reverse charging.

While both devices include bypass charging to prevent overheating during gaming sessions, the Neo 10R is the better choice for users who need faster charging speeds and longer battery life.

Pricing and Value

The Realme P3 Ultra offers three configurations at competitive pricing, especially with limited-time discounts:

• 8GB + 128GB - ₹22,999 (original ₹26,999)
• 8GB + 256GB - ₹23,999 (original ₹27,999)
• 12GB + 256GB - ₹25,999 (original ₹29,999)

Meanwhile, the iQOO Neo 10R is priced slightly higher:

• 8GB + 128GB - ₹24,999
• 8GB + 256GB - ₹26,999
• 12GB + 256GB - ₹28,999

At these prices, the P3 Ultra is the more budget-friendly option, while the Neo 10R justifies its slightly higher cost with better battery life, a brighter display, and an upgraded selfie camera.

Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Buy?

The Realme P3 Ultra is the better option if you prioritize durability, prefer a slightly larger display, and want a phone that's lighter and easier to carry. It also offers good overall camera performance, a strong chipset, and a competitive price point.

The iQOO Neo 10R, on the other hand, is ideal for users who want a more gaming-focused device, a significantly brighter display, a higher-resolution selfie camera, and a slightly larger battery. The promise of three major Android updates also makes it a more future-proof choice.