BLU F91 vs OnePlus Nord N20 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The BLU F91 and OnePlus Nord N20 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily through chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to determine which device offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a brighter display and faster wired charging, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G emerges as the better choice. However, the BLU F91’s inclusion of wireless charging and reverse wired charging provides unique utility that the Nord N20 5G lacks, making it a strong contender for specific use cases.

PHONES
Phone Names BLU F91 OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA/Sub62, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, April 202022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 20Available. Released 2022, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168.7 x 76.8 x 8.9 mm (6.64 x 3.02 x 0.35 in)159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight209 g (7.37 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 109.8 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide) 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 115˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.016 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.016 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired 10W wireless Reverse wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlueBlue
Models-GN2200, CPH2459
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 129h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9) GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

BLU F91

  • Includes wireless charging for added convenience.
  • Offers reverse wired charging to top up other devices.
  • Potentially slightly faster CPU performance due to Dimensity 810.

  • Slower 18W wired charging.
  • Likely lower display brightness compared to the Nord N20 5G.

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

  • Faster 33W wired charging for quicker power-ups.
  • Brighter display (647 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 potentially offers better GPU performance.

  • Lacks wireless charging functionality.
  • No reverse charging capability.

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 647 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the BLU F91. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While both displays are likely to utilize LCD technology given the price point, the Nord N20 5G’s higher peak brightness provides a superior viewing experience in bright conditions. The Nord N20 5G also claims an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical of LCDs, but the lack of detailed display specs for the F91 makes a direct comparison difficult. Bezels are likely comparable, given the similar overall phone sizes in this segment.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is challenging. Both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, but the quality will heavily depend on sensor size, lens aperture, and image processing algorithms. Given the price bracket, expect similar performance in good lighting conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests that low-light performance will be a weakness for both. Focusing on the main sensors is key, as the inclusion of 2MP macro or depth sensors adds little practical value.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the BLU F91 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm) while the OnePlus Nord N20 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). Both are 6nm chips, suggesting similar efficiency, but the Dimensity 810’s CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – indicates a slight edge in raw CPU performance compared to the Nord N20 5G’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver. However, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon typically excels in GPU performance and software optimization, potentially leading to a smoother gaming experience on the Nord N20 5G. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR4X on both) is less significant than the chipset choice.

Battery Life

Both the BLU F91 and OnePlus Nord N20 5G achieve an endurance rating of 129 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Nord N20 5G supports 33W wired charging, enabling faster top-ups compared to the F91’s 18W wired charging. The BLU F91 uniquely offers 10W wireless charging and reverse wired charging, allowing it to charge other devices – a feature absent on the Nord N20 5G. While 10W wireless charging is slow, it provides added convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the BLU F91 if you value the convenience of wireless charging and the ability to top up other devices with reverse wired charging, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance and display brightness. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you prioritize a brighter, more easily visible display in sunlight and faster 33W wired charging for quicker power-ups, accepting that wireless charging isn't available.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 810 in the BLU F91 struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 810 is a capable chipset, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require reduced graphics settings for smooth gameplay. The Snapdragon 695 in the Nord N20 5G may offer a slightly more consistent experience due to Qualcomm’s GPU optimizations, but both phones are not ideal for high-end gaming.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N20 5G with the 33W charger?
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G can charge from 0-100% in approximately 60-70 minutes with the included 33W charger. This is significantly faster than the BLU F91’s 18W charging, which will likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the 10W wireless charging on the BLU F91 practical for daily use?
10W wireless charging is relatively slow compared to modern standards. It's best suited for overnight charging or occasional top-ups. Don't expect rapid charging speeds with wireless power delivery on the BLU F91.
❓ What kind of 5G bands does each phone support, and will it work with my carrier?
Both phones support a range of 5G bands, but compatibility varies by carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your carrier to ensure that the BLU F91 or OnePlus Nord N20 5G is fully compatible with their 5G network before purchasing.