Even though purchasing power has increased over the past decade, people still look for budget smartphones. Choosing a budget smartphone under Rs. 20,000 is easy yet overwhelming. Given that there are so many options promising great features. The iQOO Z10R and Moto G96 are two of the recent ones, and we are going to compare them. If you are planning to buy any of these phones or are confused between them, have a look at the iQOO Z10R vs the Moto G96.
As someone who has written many smartphone and chipset comparisons, these seemed like strong contenders to me. I have put together points that matter as a buyer. So let’s check out the specs, features, and real-world performance and much more here.
Also read: Moto G96 Vs Oppo K13: Which Is Better 5G Phone Under Rs. 20,000?
iQOO Z10R vs Moto G96: Specifications
Let’s go through the specifications first to get an overview of the differences we are about to discuss in detail.
| Feature | iQOO Z10R | Moto G96 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Starting) | ₹21,998 on Amazon (8GB/128GB, with offers) | ₹17,999 on Flipkart (8GB/128GB) |
| Display | 6.77-inch AMOLED, Full HD+ (1080×2392), 120Hz, 1800 nits, SCHOTT Xensation glass | 6.67-inch pOLED, Full HD+ (2400×1080), 144Hz, 1600 nits, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7400 (4nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) |
| RAM/Storage Options | 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB, 12GB/256GB | 8GB/128GB, 8GB/256GB |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (Sony IMX882, OIS) + 2MP depth | 50MP (Sony LYT-700C, OIS) + 8MP ultra-wide/macro/depth |
| Front Camera | 32MP (4K video) | 32MP (4K video) |
| Battery | 5700mAh, 44W fast charging (50% in 33 mins) | 5500mAh, 33W fast charging |
| Operating System | Funtouch OS 15 (Android 15), 2 yrs OS updates, 3 yrs security updates | Hello UI (Android 15), 1 yr OS update, 3 yrs security updates |
| Durability | IP68/IP69, MIL-STD-810H | IP68, vegan leather finish |
| Weight/Thickness | 183.5g, 7.3mm | 178g, 7.93mm |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, IR blaster | 5G, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC |
| Additional Features | In-display fingerprint, advanced cooling | Dual stereo speakers, Smart Connect, AI Photo Enhancement, Horizon Lock |
Also read: Motorola Edge 60 Fusion Vs Moto G96: Which Offers The Best Value?
Design And Build: The Look & Feel
The iQOO Z10R shows off a 7.3mm profile, being one of the thinnest smartphones. The weight is also on the lighter side, with 183.5 grams. These two factors make this phone super comfortable to hold. The back panel is a matte finish, so it’s not just fingerprint-free but also feels premium.
The Motorola Moto G96 is even lighter (178 grams). It is not as thin but pretty close (7.93mm). The back panel has a premium vegan leather back in colours like Ashleigh Blue and Cattleya Orchid, making it look super stylish.
| Feature | iQOO Z10R | Moto G96 |
|---|---|---|
| Durable | ✅ | ✅ |
| Water Resistant | ✅ (Better) | ✅ |
| Slim Design | ✅ | ✅ |
| Thinner Build | ✅ | ❌ |
Winner: I would say it’s a Tie. The iQOO Z10R offers a slimmer profile and military-grade durability and IP68/1P69 ratings. At the same time, the Moto G96 5G’s vegan leather finish is premium and comfortable. This one has only an IP68 rating, but Gorilla Glass 5 to make it scratch-resistant.
Also read: Realme GT 7 Vs Moto Razr 60: Which One Should You Buy?
Display That’s Smooth, Responsive, Bright
The iQOO Z10R has a 6.77-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The peak brightness goes up to an impressive 1800-nit. The display delivers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and smooth scrolling.
The Moto G96 is close but differs in a few points. It has a 6.67-inch pOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate! That’s amazingly fast! The peak brightness goes up to 1600-nit. This may be less than iQOO Z10R, but still better than a lot of other phones in the price range. The pOLED panel provides deep blacks and rich colours, despite being slightly less bright than the iQOO.
| Feature | iQOO Z10R | Moto G96 |
|---|---|---|
| Faster Refresh Rate | ❌ | ✅ |
| Brighter Screen | ✅ | ❌ |
| Bigger Screen | ✅ | ❌ |
Winner: It will be the Moto G96 5G for me personally because I would prioritise a higher refresh rate over peak brightness. Plus, the Moto G96 is compact too. Depending on what you prefer, the choice will vary.
Also read: Xiaomi Xring O1 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 3: Power, Efficiency, And More!
iQOO Z10R vs Moto G96: Performance, Speed & Multi-Tasking
The processor and RAM performance can determine which one has better speed or capability for multitasking.
The iQOO Z10R comes with MediaTek Dimensity 7400 (4nm) with up to 12GB RAM. That’s a decent chip in the price segment, offering a balance of gaming, multitasking, speed of opening apps and so on. There’s an advanced cooling system as well, which keeps it from overheating during long sessions. If you are looking for a budget gaming phone, you may not want to ignore this device.
On the other hand, the Moto G96’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm) with 8GB RAM offers reliable performance for daily tasks. You can also play a few games casually.
| Feature | iQOO Z10R | Moto G96 |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-tasking | ✅ | ✅ |
| Gaming Performance | ✅ | ❌ |
| Expandable Storage | ❌ | ❌ |
| More RAM | ✅ | ❌ |
Winner: iQOO Z10R for its faster processor and better gaming performance.
Also Read: Xiaomi HyperOS Vs MIUI 14: Which Is A Better OS For You?
Battery and Charging: Which Lasts Longer?
Both devices offer good battery life with fast charging. But the iQOO Z10R has a slight edge over the Motorola Moto G96. We are comparing a 5700mAh battery with 44W fast charging versus a 5500mAh battery with 33W fast charging. Of course, the iQOO Z10R will last you longer. It is justified because the iQOO phone falls under the gaming segment, and the Moto phone doesn’t.
So if it’s established that you are using the Moto phone simply for calls, browsing, and apps, it can last you close to IQOO’s time. More charging time isn’t quite the downside. Not having reversible charging is- That makes all the difference!
| Feature | iQOO Z10R | Moto G96 |
|---|---|---|
| More battery Capacity | ✅ (5700mAh) | ❌ (5500mAh) |
| Fast Charging Speed | ✅ (44W) | ❌ (33W) |
| Battery Backup | ✅ (Longer) | ✅ |
| Reversible Charging | ✅ | ❌ |
Winner: iQOO Z10R for its larger battery and faster charging.
Also read: Android 15 Features, Eligible Devices List, All Details!
iQOO Z10R vs Moto G96: The Camera Game!
Coming to comparing the features that most people take great interest in, the camera shots, quality, pixels, in-built features and so on. Both of them have the OIS 50-megapixel camera by Sony. The technology is slightly different, though (Sony IMX882 in IQOO Z10R and Sony LYT-700C in Moto G96 ).
Here, iQOO Z10R is left somewhat behind due to the absence of an ultra-wide lens that is present in the Moto G96. However, it has a 2MP depth sensor that is missing in the Moto G96. In simple words, you would be able to take great portrait pictures with IQOO Z10R, but not landscape shots or large groups. It’s the opposite for the Moto G96.
| Feature | iQOO Z10R | Moto G96 |
|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Quality | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ultra-wide Lens | ❌ | ✅ |
| Front Camera Quality (32MP) | ✅ | ✅ |
| 4K Video Support (Front) | ✅ | ✅ |
| OIS (Main Camera) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Advanced AI Editing Tools | ✅ (AI Erase) | ✅ (Magic Editor, Horizon Lock) |
| Overall Camera Versatility | ❌ | ✅ |
One thing that sets the Moto G96 apart is the presence of so many AI features with the camera. You can change the placement of the subject, erase unwanted elements, and improve hazy pictures. A lot of it won’t be possible in the iQOO Z10R, except for the Magic eraser.
Winner: Moto G96 5G for its versatile ultra-wide lens and advanced AI camera features.
Also read: Google AI Mode vs Perplexity AI: Best AI Search Tool Compared!
Pricing and Availability
Both phones are available in the online market as of now. If you are purchasing the Moto G96, you may go to Flipkart, as they are offering a lower price for the model than Amazon. You may also get it from the Motorola website. The iQOO Z10R is not available on Flipkart (at the time I am writing this). So you may head to Amazon. Apply bank offers and you may get this device for below 20k! In iQOO’s eStore, it is available from July 29, 2025.
iQOO Z10R vs Moto G96: Final Verdict
Both the iQOO Z10R and Moto G96 5G are fantastic budget phones. The features are pretty much head-on with minor differences. We have discussed all that in the article. To conclude, the iQOO Z10R shines with its faster processor, brighter AMOLED display, and superior durability. It’s a great gaming phone. The Moto G96 5G stands out with its smoother 144Hz pOLED display, versatile camera with AI features. It’s a good phone for photography enthusiasts and for usual tasks.
If you’re torn, think about your priorities: gaming and durability (iQOO Z10R) or smooth visuals and camera versatility (Moto G96 5G). Both offer great value under Rs. 20,000, so you can’t go wrong either way.
Which one would you choose in iQOO Z10R vs Moto G96? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!
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