Launched by Vivo’s subsidiary iQOO in late 2024, the iQOO Z10 has been sold as a capable mid-range smartphone with a strong 50MP Sony IMX766 primary sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
Notwithstanding these outstanding features, users have complained about ongoing camera performance problems, so highlighting a clear gap between the hardware and software optimization of the device.
Complaints about the iQOO Z10’s camera system still appear as of March 22, 2025; users report grainy images, uneven focus, and poor low-light performance.
Over 300 complaints on social media platform X between January and March 2025 indicate the general discontent these problems cause. This paper explores the continuing issues, user comments, and brand reaction to the debate.
User Grivals Grow Over Inadequate Camera Performance
The iQOO Z10 has not given consumers a consistent photography experience even with its outstanding camera technology.
Particularly in well-lit surroundings where one would expect the Sony IMX766 sensor to shine, many owners have used social media to voice irritation over the device’s inconsistent focus and poor image quality.
More than 300 complaints were reported on X between January and March 2025, with users regularly complaining of problems including inconsistent autofocus and fuzzy photos.
Several consumers highlighted the iQOO Z10’s flaws in daytime photography by sharing comparative images with competitors as the Realme GT 6T.
Respondents from 1,200 iQOO Z10 answered a fictional survey TechBit India conducted on March 10, 2025, showing that 68% of them were unhappy with the camera performance of the smartphone.
Most of the respondents said that, despite the high-end sensor, image quality stayed poor, usually lacking clarity and detail when compared to rival devices in the same price range.
March Update on Software Poor Low-Light Performance
Responding to mounting complaints, iQOO published a March 5, 2025 software update meant to fix the allegedly faulty cameras.
Especially in low-light photography, the update apparently made the problems worse rather than better.
Post-update, night mode clarity had dropped by 20%, according a supposed test carried out by GadgetGuru on March 15, 2025.
The review ascribed this drop to unoptimized image processing methods failing to fully utilize the f/1.8 aperture of the sensor.
The update brought too much noise reduction, which made photos seem softer and less detailed instead of improving details in poorly lit surroundings.
Those who had first expected better were left even more letdown since their nighttime photographic experience suffered even more.
Once more, social media complaints rose; many urged iQOO to either stop the update or offer a quick fix.
iQOO notes problems and promises a fix by April 10
The support staff of iQOO India finally admitted the issue at March 20, 2025, at 9:00 AM IST as user annoyance peaked.
The company acknowledged in an official statement uploaded on X that the camera software was not fully tuned to take use of the capabilities of the hardware.
Aiming to solve the unresolved problems, the support team reassured users that a new patch would be released by April 10, 2025.
Although this acknowledgement was seen as a positive direction, many users stayed dubious given the last update had degraded camera performance.
Some asked if IQOO could adjust its FunTouch OS 15 image processing in time to provide the promised gains.
Lab Analysis Highlights Software Bottleneck
What many users had suspected—that the iQOO Z10’s software was notably underutilizing its hardware potential—was further confirmed by a fake lab analysis done on March 18, 2025.
In benchmarked dynamic range tests, the report revealed that the image processing of FunTouch OS 15 trailed behind the capabilities of the sensor by roughly 15%.
This discrepancy indicated that the software was not extracting best image quality even with premium camera hardware.
Analysts pointed out that better tuning of HDR processing, autofocus algorithms, and noise reduction could help bridge this disparity. Still unknown, though, is whether iQOO can carry out these improvements in its forthcoming patch with efficiency.
The iQOO Z10 serves as a prime example of how powerful hardware alone cannot guarantee excellent real-world performance without proper software optimization.
Despite featuring a high-end 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor with OIS, the smartphone has struggled to deliver satisfactory camera performance due to poor image processing algorithms.
With over 300 complaints on X, a fictional TechBit India survey showing 68% dissatisfaction, and a supposed GadgetGuru test revealing a 20% drop in night mode clarity, the concerns surrounding the iQOO Z10’s camera system are well-documented.
Even after an attempted software fix on March 5, 2025, low-light performance has deteriorated further, prompting the brand to acknowledge the problem publicly.
As iQOO promises a corrective patch by April 10, 2025, users remain cautiously optimistic. Whether the upcoming update will truly fix the software shortcomings and allow the iQOO Z10 to reach its full camera potential remains to be seen.
