iQOO Z10 Lite 5G: The smartphone landscape in India witnessed a significant shift in June 2025 when iQOO unveiled the Z10 Lite 5G, positioning itself as the most affordable 5G smartphone in the brand’s extensive portfolio. Priced at just ₹9,999, this device represents iQOO’s bold strategy to democratize 5G technology and bring flagship-grade features to the masses without breaking the bank.
Game-Changing Pricing Strategy
The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G officially launched on June 18, 2025, creating waves in the budget smartphone segment with its aggressive pricing. Starting at ₹9,999 for the base variant, the device directly challenges established players like Realme, Redmi, and Motorola in the ultra-affordable 5G category. This pricing strategy reflects iQOO’s commitment to making 5G technology accessible to first-time smartphone buyers and budget-conscious consumers across India’s diverse market.
The smartphone is available in two attractive color variants: Titanium Blue and Cyber Green, both featuring a modern aesthetic that belies its budget positioning. The company has made the device available through major e-commerce platforms including Amazon, alongside offline retail partners, ensuring widespread accessibility.
Power That Lasts Forever
At the heart of the Z10 Lite’s appeal lies its massive 6000mAh battery, which iQOO claims delivers exceptional endurance for users who demand all-day performance. This substantial battery capacity addresses one of the primary concerns of budget smartphone users – frequent charging interruptions that hamper productivity and entertainment.
The device supports 15W fast charging, which, while not groundbreaking, proves adequate for the target segment where users typically charge overnight. The combination of the large battery and power-efficient chipset ensures that users can comfortably get through intensive usage scenarios including gaming, streaming, and social media browsing.
Solid Performance Foundation
Under the hood, the Z10 Lite runs on MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 chipset, built on a 6nm manufacturing process that strikes an excellent balance between performance and power efficiency. This octa-core processor features two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4GHz, paired with six efficient Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0GHz, supported by the Arm Mali-G57 MC2 GPU.
The device offers multiple RAM configurations ranging from 4GB to 8GB LPDDR4x, complemented by 8GB of virtual RAM expansion that enhances multitasking capabilities. Storage options include 128GB and 256GB variants, both expandable up to 2TB via microSD card – a feature increasingly rare in modern smartphones but crucial for budget-conscious users.
Display That Delivers
The 6.74-inch HD+ LCD display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, providing smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness compared to traditional 60Hz panels. While the resolution might seem modest by flagship standards, it proves perfectly adequate for everyday usage while contributing to the device’s impressive battery life.
The screen achieves a peak brightness of 1000 nits, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility even under direct sunlight. The 20:9 aspect ratio provides an immersive viewing experience for video content and gaming, while the LCD technology keeps manufacturing costs low without significantly compromising visual quality.
Camera System Built for Real Life
Photography enthusiasts will find the dual rear camera setup functional for the price point. The primary 50MP sensor handles most shooting scenarios adequately, while the 2MP depth sensor assists with portrait mode shots. The front-facing 5MP camera covers basic selfie and video calling needs without pretense of competing with premium devices.
iQOO has included several AI-powered photography features that enhance the overall camera experience, including scene recognition, beauty modes, and basic photo enhancement tools that help users capture better images with minimal effort.
Durability That Inspires Confidence
The Z10 Lite earns its durability credentials through IP64 certification for dust and splash resistance, providing peace of mind for users who lead active lifestyles. The device has also received SGS Five-Star Overall Unit Drop Resistance Certification, indicating its ability to withstand accidental drops from various angles.
This robust construction addresses real-world usage scenarios where budget smartphones often suffer from build quality compromises, making the Z10 Lite a practical choice for users who prioritize longevity over premium materials.
Software Experience and Future-Proofing
Running Android 15 out of the box, the Z10 Lite offers a relatively clean software experience with minimal bloatware. iQOO has committed to providing two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches, ensuring the device remains relevant and secure throughout its lifecycle.
The 8GB RAM variant includes iQOO’s “50-Month Smooth Experience” guarantee, promising consistent performance over more than four years through comprehensive software and hardware optimization. This long-term commitment addresses common concerns about budget smartphones becoming sluggish over time.
Market Impact and Competition
The Z10 Lite enters a highly competitive market segment where devices from Realme, Redmi, and Motorola have established strong footholds. However, iQOO’s combination of 5G connectivity, large battery capacity, decent performance, and aggressive pricing creates a compelling value proposition that’s difficult to ignore.
The smartphone particularly targets tier-2 and tier-3 city consumers, students, and first-time 5G buyers who want modern connectivity without premium pricing. This demographic values practical features over flashy specifications, making the Z10 Lite’s feature set particularly appealing.
Real-World Performance
Early user feedback suggests the Z10 Lite delivers on its core promises of reliable performance and exceptional battery life. Users report smooth everyday usage, adequate gaming performance for popular titles, and impressive standby times that easily extend beyond 24 hours with moderate usage.
The device handles multitasking reasonably well thanks to its RAM expansion feature, while the 90Hz display provides a noticeably smoother experience compared to traditional budget phones still using 60Hz panels.
iQOO Z10 Lite 5G The Bottom Line
The iQOO Z10 Lite 5G represents more than just another budget smartphone – it symbolizes the industry’s commitment to making advanced technology accessible to everyone. By offering 5G connectivity, substantial battery life, and reliable performance at under ₹10,000, iQOO has created a device that could genuinely accelerate 5G adoption across India’s price-sensitive market segments.
While it may not compete with flagships in terms of premium features or camera quality, the Z10 Lite succeeds brilliantly in its intended role: providing essential smartphone functionality with future-ready connectivity at an unbeatable price point. For budget-conscious consumers seeking their first 5G device or reliable daily driver, the Z10 Lite emerges as a compelling choice that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to join the 5G revolution.