Written by Anushka Verma
Published: 5, December, 2025
The relentless pursuit of longer battery life, the holy grail of modern smartphones, is witnessing a monumental leap. iQOO, the performance-centric sub-brand of Vivo, has officially pulled back the curtain on its next disruptor for the Indian market. Mark your calendars for April 11, for that is when the iQOO Z10 will make its grand debut, promising not just an evolution but a revolution, spearheaded by a record-shattering 7,300mAh battery. This announcement, made authoritatively across iQOO’s social media channels, has set the tech community abuzz, signaling the arrival of a device engineered to obliterate anxiety and redefine what users can expect from smartphone endurance. As the direct successor to the well-received iQOO Z9 5G, the Z10 appears poised to escalate the battle in the fiercely competitive mid-range segment, blending brute-force battery capacity with a sleek design and potent performance hardware.
The confirmation cuts through months of speculation and leaks, providing a clear target for consumers yearning for a device that can effortlessly power through the most demanding days. The iQOO Z series has traditionally carved a niche by offering compelling specifications at aggressive price points, often with a particular emphasis on gaming and longevity. With the Z10, iQOO is not merely iterating; it is making a bold statement. The promise of the “largest battery ever seen on a smartphone in India” is more than a spec sheet bullet point—it is a direct address to a universal pain point. In an era where our devices are central to work, entertainment, and connection, the Z10’s proposition is undeniably compelling. It challenges the industry’s conventional trade-offs, suggesting that users no longer must choose between a slim profile and all-day power, or between high performance and energy preservation.
A Battery Behemoth: The 7,300mAh Power Core
At the very heart of the iQOO Z10’s identity lies its colossal 7,300mAh battery. This figure is not just impressive; it is unprecedented in the Indian smartphone landscape. To put this into perspective, the average battery capacity in mid-range and even many premium smartphones hovers between 4,500mAh and 5,500mAh. The Z10’s predecessor, the capable iQOO Z9 5G, featured a 5,000mAh unit. The jump to 7,300mAh represents a staggering 46% increase in capacity, a leap that translates directly into real-world usage.
iQOO’s claims of “exceptional battery life that could last well beyond a day, even with heavy usage” may well be an understatement. For moderate users, the Z10 could feasibly stretch to two, or even three, days on a single charge. For power users—those who game extensively, record high-resolution video, or are constantly on navigation apps—the Z10 promises to still deliver a full, uncompromising day without the frantic search for a power bank. This massive cell redefines the benchmark for battery anxiety, effectively making it a non-issue for a vast majority of users. It empowers lifestyles, whether for the traveling professional, the content creator on the move, or the hardcore mobile gamer. The implications extend beyond convenience; a battery of this capacity can also enhance long-term device health by reducing daily charge cycles, thereby potentially prolonging the overall lifespan of the battery itself.
However, such a large battery naturally raises questions about charging speeds and device weight. While official details on supported charging wattage are still under wraps, industry expectations suggest that iQOO will pair this mammoth battery with equally impressive fast-charging technology, likely surpassing the 44W or 80W standards seen in previous models. The engineering challenge will be to manage heat dissipation during charging and maintain efficiency. Furthermore, housing a 7,300mAh cell will inevitably impact the device’s weight and potentially its thickness. iQOO’s design team will have had to meticulously balance the desire for a sleek form factor with the physical requirements of such a large power unit—a challenge that the early design teasers suggest they have approached with finesse.
Aesthetic Evolution: Premium Design Meets Functional Elegance
Moving beyond raw power, the iQOO Z10 is also making a strong statement on the design front. The official teaser images reveal a device that consciously steps away from purely utilitarian aesthetics towards a more refined and premium look. Showcased in a sleek, pristine white finish (with other color variants expected), the phone exudes a clean and modern vibe. The rear panel appears to have a subtle texture or gloss finish that plays with light, aiming to offer both visual appeal and a secure grip.
The most striking design element is the redesigned camera module. Departing from the rectangular island of its predecessor, the Z10 adopts a distinct, well-defined circular module that houses its dual-camera sensors. This circular motif is a growing trend in smartphone design, often associated with a focus on imaging prowess. Flush with the body or with a minimal raise, the module is elegantly integrated. Crucially, the teaser explicitly highlights the inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a feature that significantly enhances photo and video quality by counteracting handshake, especially in low-light conditions. The presence of OIS in this segment is a welcome upgrade that promises more consistent and sharper results from the primary camera. The overall silhouette appears streamlined, with the company managing to incorporate the large battery while seemingly avoiding an overly bulky profile. This design language indicates iQOO’s intent to make the Z10 not just a powerhouse but also a stylish accessory.
Performance Blueprint: The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 Promise
Powering this endurance champion is expected to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 system-on-chip (SoC). This choice is significant and marks a potential shift from the MediaTek Dimensity platform used in the Z9 5G. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, built on an advanced fabrication process (likely 4nm), is engineered to deliver a robust balance of performance and power efficiency—the latter being absolutely critical when paired with a large battery to maximize its potential.
The chipset is anticipated to feature a modern CPU configuration with powerful Cortex-A715 cores and efficient Cortex-A510 cores, coupled with an Adreno GPU capable of handling demanding graphics. For users, this translates into smooth, lag-free performance for everyday tasks, sophisticated multitasking, and a highly competent gaming experience. Popular titles like BGMI, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact should run at respectable frame rates and graphic settings. The synergy between the power-efficient Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 and the massive 7,300mAh battery could set a new standard for sustained performance, allowing for longer gaming sessions or intensive app usage without triggering thermal throttling or rapid battery drain.
Complementing the processor will be generous and fast RAM and storage configurations, expected to start at 8GB RAM with 128GB storage, possibly going up to 12GB/256GB variants. Memory expansion technology via unused storage is also a likely feature. The combination of this hardware ensures the iQOO Z10 is not a one-trick pony focused solely on battery life; it is being positioned as a comprehensive performance package.
Display Technology: An Immersive Visual Canvas
A great performance and battery setup deserves an equally compelling display. The iQOO Z10 is tipped to feature an OLED panel with a 1.5K resolution (typically 1220p or 1260p). This represents a clear upgrade over the standard FHD+ (1080p) displays common in this segment. The 1.5K resolution offers a sharper, more detailed visual experience with higher pixel density, making text crisper and images more defined, without the excessive power draw of a full 4K panel.
OLED technology brings its inherent advantages: perfect blacks, infinite contrast ratios, vibrant colors, and faster pixel response times. This makes for an exceptional experience whether you are streaming HDR content, scrolling through social media, or gaming. While the exact size is not confirmed, it is expected to be around 6.7 inches, similar to the Z9, offering an expansive viewport. A high refresh rate, likely 120Hz or 144Hz, is almost a given, ensuring buttery-smooth animations and scrolling. This focus on the display underscores that the Z10 is designed for immersive consumption, where hours of binge-watching or gaming are supported by both the stunning screen and the battery that won’t quit.
Software and User Experience: Anticipating Android 15
On the software front, the iQOO Z10 is rumored to launch with Android 15-based OriginOS 5 (or Funtouch OS, depending on iQOO’s branding strategy for India). This would place the device at the forefront of software innovation, offering the latest features, privacy controls, and security enhancements from Google. iQOO’s custom skin is known for its feature-rich environment, with a particular emphasis on performance modes, gaming tools, and customization options. The integration with the powerful hardware should yield a fluid and responsive user interface. Long-term software support, in the form of major Android version updates and security patches, will be a key factor for informed buyers, and iQOO will be expected to clarify its update policy at launch.
Camera Expectations: Building on a Solid Foundation
While the teaser confirms a dual-camera setup with OIS on the primary sensor, detailed specifications are yet to be revealed. The iQOO Z9 5G featured a commendable 50MP Sony IMX882 primary sensor. It is reasonable to expect the Z10 to either refine this sensor choice or potentially upgrade to a newer, larger sensor like the IMX766 or a bespoke 64MP unit. The inclusion of OIS is a major win, enabling better low-light photography and stable video recording. The secondary camera is likely an ultra-wide sensor or a depth/macro helper. The front camera for selfies and video calls is expected to be a high-resolution sensor housed in a center-aligned punch-hole cutout. Camera software enhancements, such as Night mode, Portrait modes, and video recording capabilities like 4K, will be crucial in rounding out the imaging package.
iQOO Z10 vs. iQOO Z9 5G: A Generational Leap
The differences between the Z10 and its predecessor are substantial, highlighting a clear generational upgrade:
| Feature | iQOO Z9 5G (2024) | iQOO Z10 (Expected) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 7,300mAh (Record-breaking) |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 |
| Display | 6.67″ FHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz | ~6.7″ 1.5K OLED, High Refresh Rate |
| Primary Camera | 50MP Sony IMX882 (OIS expected but not confirmed) | Upgraded Sensor (Details TBD) with Confirmed OIS |
| Design | Flat-frame design, rectangular camera island | Sleeker profile, circular camera module |
| Software | Shipped with Android 14 | Expected to ship with Android 15 |
| Charging | 44W Fast Charging | Expected to be Faster Charging (e.g., 80W+) |
This table illustrates that the Z10 is not a minor refresh but a comprehensive overhaul, addressing the core areas of battery, performance, display clarity, and design.
Market Context and Pricing Strategy
The announcement of the April 11 launch date sets the stage for a major play in the Indian mid-range arena, a segment currently dominated by brands like Nothing, Samsung Galaxy A series, Realme Narzo/Numbers series, and POCO. The iQOO Z10’s unique selling proposition (USP) is crystal clear: unparalleled battery life. This differentiator allows it to stand out in a crowded market where many phones offer similar performance and camera specs.
Pricing will be the final critical piece of the puzzle. The iQOO Z9 5G launched at a starting price of around ₹19,999. Given the significant upgrades, especially the costly large battery and new chipset, a slight price increase is plausible. A strategic launch price between ₹22,999 and ₹24,999 for the base variant could strike the perfect balance between offering phenomenal value and accommodating the enhanced components. iQOO has historically been aggressive with its pricing, and it will need to maintain that strategy to ensure the Z10 becomes the definitive choice for battery-conscious power users.
Final Anticipation and Disclaimer
As the countdown to April 11 begins, the iQOO Z10 shapes up to be one of the most intriguing launches of the early 2025 smartphone calendar in India. It promises a rare combination: the peace of mind that comes from a nearly inexhaustible battery, the thrill of smooth performance from a next-gen Snapdragon chip, the pleasure of a sharp and vibrant OLED display, and the appeal of a premium design. It is a device built for the real world, where outlet proximity should not dictate usage.
However, as with all pre-launch information, a note of caution is essential. The details presented here are based on official teasers from iQOO and industry rumors. Final specifications, features, pricing, and availability will be definitively confirmed only at the official launch event on April 11, 2025. Prospective buyers are advised to await the full official announcement to make their final decision. But one thing is already certain: with the Z10, iQOO is not just launching a new phone; it is launching a new benchmark for endurance, challenging the entire industry to power up.
