The iQOO Neo 6 5G came to India in May 2022. It was made for gaming lovers under Rs 35k price. It brought Snapdragon 870 power, a smooth 120Hz AMOLED screen, and very fast 80W charging. Even after four years, this phone still feels strong and useful.
In 2026, refurbished units sell for Rs 15k to Rs 18k on Flipkart. Custom ROMs give it Android 15 life. It still beats many new budget phones easily. Raw power does not age fast, right?
Design that handles daily rough use
The phone weighs about 190g and feels solid in hand. It has Gorilla Glass on the front and plastic on the back. The plastic frame hides scratches well. Flat sides make gaming grip easy and safe.
IP53 rating saves it from light water and dust. Many users dropped it without screen damage. The side fingerprint scanner works fast, even with sweaty fingers. The IR blaster lets you control TV and AC like a magic remote.
Display quality still feels premium
The phone has a 6.62-inch Samsung E4 AMOLED screen. It offers Full HD plus resolution with sharp details. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling very smooth. HDR10 plus makes videos look deep and rich.
Peak brightness reaches around 1300 nits. You can see the screen clearly under sunlight. Touch response feels quick for shooting games. Always On Display is useful and saves battery too.
Performance still strong in 2026
Snapdragon 870 is still a beast for daily use. Games like BGMI and PUBG run at 90fps smoothly. Genshin Impact runs on high settings with good frame rates. The phone stays warm but not too hot.
It comes with 8GB or 12GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Apps open fast and stay in memory. Multitasking feels easy even today. Many users say it feels faster than new mid-range phones.
Software and custom ROM support
Out of the box, it came with Android 12. Official updates are slow now. But XDA developers saved the day. Custom ROMs like LineageOS bring Android 15.
These ROMs feel clean and fast. No extra apps or ads. Animations feel smooth and fresh. It feels like a new phone again.
Camera performance still impressive
The phone has a 64MP main camera with OIS. It also has an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro lens. Photos in daylight look sharp and natural. OIS helps a lot in low light shots.
Video recording supports 4K at 60fps. Videos look stable while walking. The 16MP selfie camera is decent for calls and social media. Portrait mode still works well.
Camera specs table
| Camera | Details |
|---|---|
| Main | 64MP with OIS |
| Ultra-wide | 8MP 116 degree |
| Macro | 2MP |
| Selfie | 16MP |
| Video | 4K at 60fps |
Battery life and charging speed
The phone has a 4700mAh battery. Even after years, it gives around 10 to 11 hours screen time. Standby drain is low. It can last a full day easily.
80W fast charging is still amazing. It charges 50% in about 12 minutes. Full charge takes around 32 minutes. This feature alone beats many new phones.
Battery and charging table
| Feature | Result |
|---|---|
| Battery | 4700mAh |
| Charging | 80W wired |
| Full charge | Around 32 minutes |
| Screen time | 10 to 11 hours |
Sound, network, and extras
Stereo speakers sound loud and clear. Bass feels strong for music and games. It supports Hi-Res audio and Snapdragon Sound. Wired and wireless audio both feel good.
The phone supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. 5G works well with Jio and Airtel. GPS lock is fast and accurate. These features still feel modern.
Value for money in 2026
Refurbished prices make this phone a steal. Around Rs 16,999 for 12GB RAM is rare. EMI options make it easier for students. Resale value is also strong.
Service cost is fair and parts are available. Custom ROMs keep it alive longer. Many users still recommend it online. Value lovers enjoy every rupee spent.
Real user experience after years
College students love it for gaming nights. Battery lasts through classes and games. Camera works well for social media posts. Network stays stable in city and travel.
Some users dislike Funtouch OS bloat. But custom ROMs fix that easily. No wireless charging is a small miss. Still, ratings stay high even today.
Custom ROM brings new life
LineageOS makes the phone light and fast. Gaming mode blocks calls and alerts. Split screen helps with work and chat. Animations feel modern and fun.
GCam mods improve camera quality. Battery health tools help long life. The phone feels fresh again. Old hardware meets new software.
iQOO Neo 6 5G still beats new phones
Many new phones under Rs 20k focus on AI tricks. Neo 6 focuses on real power. Snapdragon 870 still wins in gaming. 80W charging is rare even now.
The bright AMOLED screen is hard to beat. Used market deals are attractive. Gamers and creators still choose it. Old does not mean weak.
Final verdict
The iQOO Neo 6 5G proves that good hardware lasts long. Strong performance, great screen, fast charging, and OIS camera still shine. Under Rs 17k used price makes it unbeatable. It is a smart pick in 2026.
