iQOO Neo 9 Pro Six Months Later: Is It Still the Gaming King Under ₹40,000?

Back in early 2025, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro launched to incredible fanfare. We, along with many others, crowned it the undisputed performance king in its price segment. Its combination of the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, a dedicated gaming chip, and brilliant thermal management made it an instant recommendation.

But that was six months ago. Since then, new phones with newer processors have launched, and the Neo 9 Pro has received numerous software and security updates. The most important question for any potential buyer today is not how it performed at launch, but how it performs now. Has the battery degraded? Does it get hotter? After half a year of intense gaming, daily use, and software updates, is the iQOO Neo 9 Pro still the champion? We have the answers.

Performance and Speed in Late 2025

Let’s address the main concern first: is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 still flagship-grade? The answer is an unequivocal yes. While newer chips like the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 exist, the top-tier optimization of the 8 Gen 2 in this device keeps it fiercely competitive. In day-to-day use—scrolling social media, switching between heavy apps like Chrome, Instagram, and BGMI—the phone feels just as fluid and responsive as it did on day one. There is absolutely no hint of lag in the UI, proving the hardware was built to last.

Gaming and Thermal Management: The Real Test

This is where long-term performance truly shows. A phone’s cooling system can sometimes become less effective as dust accumulates internally or as software updates change power management profiles.

We ran our standard 60-minute BGMI test (Smooth + 90fps) again. The results were impressive. The phone now runs about 1-2 degrees Celsius warmer than it did when it was brand new, which is an expected and very minor change. Critically, it still demonstrates superior thermal control compared to its newer rivals. It managed to maintain a near-constant 88-90fps throughout the session with minimal throttling. The cooling system has proven its durability.

Battery Health and 120W Charging: The Six-Month Report

This is the area where all phones show their age. After an estimated 180-200 full charge cycles over six months, some battery degradation is inevitable.

Our unit, which started with over 10 hours of screen-on time for video playback, now clocks in at around 9.5 hours. In real-world terms, where we used to end a heavy day with 25% battery left, we now end with about 15-18%. This is a graceful and completely normal degradation. The 120W fast charging has shown no adverse effects on battery health, and the ability to go from 15% to 100% in under 25 minutes remains a game-changing feature that we appreciate more and more over time.

Software Experience: Funtouch OS Updates

The iQOO Neo 9 Pro has received consistent updates over the past six months, including multiple security patches and one major Funtouch OS update which brought new customization features. The experience has remained stable with no major bugs introduced. While Funtouch OS still comes with a few pre-installed apps (which can be uninstalled), the performance-focused features within the OS continue to be a highlight, offering granular control over the gaming experience.

The Final Verdict: Should You Still Buy It in August 2025?

Absolutely, yes. The iQOO Neo 9 Pro has aged like a true champion. While newer phones may have launched, its core strength—unmatched, sustained performance thanks to brilliant cooling—remains intact. The minor battery degradation is well within expected norms and is easily offset by the hyper-fast 120W charging.

If you are looking for a proven, reliable, and incredibly powerful gaming phone under ₹40,000 today, the iQOO Neo 9 Pro is arguably an even smarter buy now than it was at launch. It has weathered the test of time and stands tall as a top-tier, battle-tested recommendation.