OnePlus Nord CE4 vs iQOO Neo 7: Which Is the Better Gaming Phone in India?

Choosing a gaming phone under ₹30,000 can feel overwhelming, especially with strong options like the OnePlus Nord CE4 and the iQOO Neo 7 in the same price range. Both phones are designed for gamers, offering high refresh rate displays for smooth visuals, fast charging for uninterrupted play, and powerful processors capable of handling demanding games. However, they each have their own strengths, and understanding those differences can help you pick the right device for your needs.

In this guide, we’ll provide an in-depth comparison of the OnePlus Nord CE4 and iQOO Neo 7, covering design, performance, battery life, cameras, and value for money. We’ll also include a detailed comparison table and real product insights, so you can quickly see which phone fits your gaming style, daily usage, and budget without missing any important details.

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OnePlus Nord CE4 – Product Details

• Memory Storage Capacity: 128 GB
• RAM Memory Size: 8 GB
• Brand: OnePlus
• Operating System: OxygenOS
• CPU Model: Snapdragon
• CPU Speed: 1.8, 2.4, 2.63 GHz

About this item

The OnePlus Nord CE4 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, delivering exceptional speed and efficiency. It handles demanding games, multitasking, and productivity apps seamlessly, while supporting blazing download speeds up to 5Gbps and optimizing battery usage to keep your phone running smoothly throughout the day.

Its real-world battery performance is impressive, allowing up to 7.3 hours of video streaming, nearly 20 hours of music playback, over 10 hours of voice calls, more than 6 hours of social media browsing, or nearly 4 hours of continuous gaming from just a quick 10-minute charge. The 5500mAh battery pairs with 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging to go from 0% to 100% in just 30 minutes, while Smart Charging 4.0 prevents overheating and helps maintain long-term battery health.

The device runs on OxygenOS 14.1, a clean and bloat-free interface optimized for speed and multitasking, and it can be upgraded to OxygenOS 15 for enhanced AI-driven performance improvements. Multitasking is further enhanced with 8GB of RAM plus up to 8GB of virtual RAM, and storage can be expanded up to 256GB, with microSD support up to 1TB.

Durability is also a key strength, with a mega-durable bezel that has passed a 1.5-meter drop test onto marble, making the phone both sleek and reliable. The Nord CE4 is available in stylish Celadon Marble and Dark Chrome color options, combining elegance with resilience for a premium feel in this price segment.

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iQOO Neo 10R 5G – Product Details

• Brand: iQOO
• Operating System: Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15
• RAM Memory Installed Size: 12 GB
• CPU Model: Snapdragon
• CPU Speed: 3 GHz

About this item

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G delivers exceptional performance with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, built on the 4nm TSMC process. With a 1.7 million+ Antutu score, 12GB RAM plus 12GB extended RAM, and LPDDR5X memory paired with UFS 4.1 storage (256GB variant), it easily handles high-end gaming, multitasking, and demanding applications. The device is also IP65 rated, providing dust and water resistance for added durability.

Despite housing a large 6400mAh battery, the Neo 10R remains India’s slimmest smartphone at just 0.798cm. It supports 80W fast charging and is designed for long-term battery health, maintaining optimal performance for up to five years. For gamers, the device offers ultra-stable performance with 5 hours of continuous 90fps gameplay, thanks to a 6043 mm² vapor chamber, large cooling area, bypass charging, an FPS meter, and a 2000 Hz touch sampling rate.

The display is a vibrant 1.5K 144Hz AMOLED panel, measuring 6.78 inches flat with 4500 nits peak brightness and 3840Hz PWM dimming, providing sharp visuals and smooth motion. Camera capabilities are equally impressive, with a 50MP Sony IMX882 OIS main sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and a 32MP front camera capable of 4K recording. AI-driven features like Instant Cut-out, Circle & Search, AI Note Assist, AI Translation, Gemini Assist, AI Photo Enhance, and AI Erase enhance photography, productivity, and usability.

The phone runs on Funtouch OS 15 based on Android 15, with three years of Android updates and four years of security patches, ensuring a smooth, up-to-date user experience over the long term.

Quick Comparison Table

Performance & Gaming

The OnePlus Nord CE4 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset coupled with the Adreno 720 GPU, providing a smooth gaming experience for titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile. Its efficient thermal management ensures that the phone remains cool during extended gameplay while also handling daily multitasking, social media, and streaming without noticeable slowdowns.

On the other hand, the iQOO Neo 10R 5G features the more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor and a high-performance GPU, delivering superior benchmark scores and the ability to sustain 90fps gaming for long sessions. This makes it ideal for hardcore gamers who prioritize raw performance and stable frame rates over extended periods.

Verdict: While the iQOO Neo 10R 5G clearly leads in raw gaming performance, the Nord CE4 offers a more balanced experience, combining solid gaming capability with efficient daily use and smoother battery management.

Display Experience

The OnePlus Nord CE4 comes with a 6.7-inch AMOLED display supporting a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of 2100 nits, making it excellent for outdoor use and ensuring smooth animations and responsive gameplay. The display delivers vibrant colors and good contrast, suitable for streaming, casual gaming, and productivity tasks.

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G steps up with a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED panel featuring a 144Hz refresh rate and an impressive 4500 nits peak brightness. This combination ensures extremely smooth visuals, crisp text, and sharp graphics even in direct sunlight. Gamers and content creators who value top-tier brightness, higher resolution, and ultra-fluid motion will find the Neo 10R display superior.

If brightness and refresh rate are your primary concerns, the iQOO Neo 10R 5G provides a noticeable edge over the Nord CE4.

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Battery & Charging

The OnePlus Nord CE4 is equipped with a 5500mAh battery and supports 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging, allowing the phone to go from 0% to 100% in approximately 30 minutes. This makes it an excellent choice for users who need a quick recharge between gaming sessions, work, or streaming. The phone manages power efficiently during daily use, ensuring that moderate to heavy users can go through the day without constant charging.

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G features a larger 6400mAh battery paired with 80W fast charging. While it charges slightly slower than the Nord CE4, it is designed for long-term battery health, maintaining optimal capacity for up to five years. This larger battery, combined with efficient thermal and power management, provides superior endurance, making it ideal for extended gaming sessions or heavy multitasking throughout the day.

Verdict: The Neo 10R 5G excels in battery endurance and longevity, while the Nord CE4 offers faster charging for users who prioritize quick power-ups.

Camera Comparison

The OnePlus Nord CE4 comes with a 50MP OIS main camera that produces consistent and reliable results in both daylight and low-light conditions. It captures detailed images with good color accuracy and works well for everyday photography and casual social media use.

The iQOO Neo 10R 5G, however, upgrades the camera setup with a 50MP Sony IMX882 OIS main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens, and a 32MP front camera capable of 4K video recording. The Neo 10R offers sharper portraits, wider shots, and enhanced AI-driven features such as AI Photo Enhance, AI Erase, and Instant Cut-Out. These tools make photography more versatile, giving content creators and social media enthusiasts more options to capture professional-quality images and videos.

For users who prioritize camera versatility and advanced features, the iQOO Neo 10R 5G clearly takes the lead.

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Gaming Phones Reference

If you are exploring other budget options before deciding, check out our curated list of gaming phones under ₹20,000 in India. This guide highlights top-performing phones in the sub-20k segment, detailing their performance, battery life, display quality, and gaming features. Including this reference ensures that you know which devices offer strong value for money and helps you make a better-informed choice when comparing mid-range phones like the Nord CE4 and iQOO Neo 10R.

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Price in India

In India, the OnePlus Nord CE4 is priced around ₹24,999, making it a more budget-friendly option for users looking for a balanced mid-range phone. The iQOO Neo 10R 5G comes at an expected launch price of approximately ₹29,999, slightly higher but justified by its raw performance, stable 90fps gaming, and advanced features. For buyers focused on value for money, the Nord CE4 offers an excellent combination of performance, design, and affordability, while the Neo 10R caters to gamers and power users who prioritize performance and endurance over price.

Final Verdict – Which One Should You Buy?

If maximum gaming performance is your priority, along with a long-lasting battery and stable 90fps gameplay, the iQOO Neo 10R 5G is the better choice. Its advanced AI features, high refresh rate display, and superior processing power make it ideal for gamers and content creators who want the best experience in the mid-range segment.

On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord CE4 is perfect for those who prefer a balanced all-rounder. It offers smooth performance for gaming and daily tasks, faster charging, a sleek design, and a more affordable price point. It is well-suited for students, professionals, and casual gamers who want a reliable phone without stretching the budget.

Ultimately, both phones are strong contenders in the mid-range category, and your choice depends on whether you value gaming power and high-end performance (Neo 10R) or overall balance and affordability (Nord CE4).

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For readers looking to explore more smartphone options, we recommend checking out our carefully curated list of budget smartphones on Fayorax, which highlights devices that deliver strong performance and value for money.

Additionally, the Fayorax Online Store is a great resource for tech guides, in-depth reviews, and comparison articles to help you make informed decisions before buying your next device.