The most consequential divide in this group is cellular connectivity. The iQOO Z10R 5G supports 5G, while the Hot 60 Pro Plus is limited to 4G LTE. As 5G networks continue expanding globally, this distinction affects not just current download speeds but long-term relevance — a 4G-only device purchased today may feel increasingly constrained as carriers shift resources toward 5G infrastructure over the coming years. For users in 5G-covered areas, the iQOO Z10R can deliver meaningfully faster mobile data speeds. The iQOO Z10R also supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), adding a faster, lower-latency wireless standard on top of the Wi-Fi 4 and Wi-Fi 5 that both phones share. On compatible routers, Wi-Fi 6 reduces congestion in busy environments and improves throughput — a tangible benefit in households or offices with many connected devices.
The Hot 60 Pro Plus counters with one exclusive sensor: a built-in infrared (IR) blaster, which the iQOO Z10R lacks. An IR blaster allows the phone to function as a universal remote for televisions, air conditioners, and other home appliances — a feature that sounds niche but proves genuinely useful on a daily basis for those accustomed to it. Beyond this, the two phones are broadly matched: identical Bluetooth 5.4, dual SIM, USB Type-C 2.0, GPS with Galileo support, gyroscope, accelerometer, and fingerprint scanner — and notably, neither includes NFC, which rules out contactless payments on both devices.
On balance, the iQOO Z10R 5G holds the stronger position in this group, with its 5G support and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility representing forward-looking connectivity advantages that outweigh the Hot 60 Pro Plus's IR blaster in most use cases. However, for users in regions where 5G coverage remains sparse or who heavily rely on IR remote functionality, the gap narrows considerably.