The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The BLU Studio X5 Max represents a bare-bones approach to affordability, while the OnePlus Nord N100 aims to deliver a more polished experience with a more powerful chipset. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord N100 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 460 chipset offers significantly better performance than the BLU Studio X5 Max’s aging Cortex-A53, justifying the price difference. However, the X5 Max remains a viable option for extremely basic usage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 2, 3, 5, 7, 12, 17, 28, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, July | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 x 76 x 8.9 mm (6.48 x 2.99 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 202 g (7.13 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~188 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.7 inches, 83.8 cm2 (~67.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 (Go edition) | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 5 MP
Secondary unspecified camera | - |
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 2 MP | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 2 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2700 mAh, removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Green, Bronze, Black, Blue | Midnight Frost |
| Models | - | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
BLU Studio X5 Max
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic tasks
- May have longer standby time due to less powerful processor
- Outdated processor architecture
- Poor performance with multitasking
- Likely limited software support
OnePlus Nord N100
- Significantly faster processor
- 18W fast charging
- More responsive user experience
- Higher price point
- LCD display lacks vibrancy
- Camera performance is still limited
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. The BLU Studio X5 Max’s display specifications are unavailable, suggesting a basic LCD panel. The OnePlus Nord N100 features a 6.52-inch LCD, but details regarding peak brightness and color accuracy are missing. Given the price point, expect both displays to be adequate for everyday use but lacking in vibrancy and viewing angles. The larger screen size of the Nord N100 will be preferable for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar on both devices, leaning towards basic functionality. The BLU Studio X5 Max’s camera specifications are unknown, but budget phones often feature low-resolution sensors. The OnePlus Nord N100’s camera details are also limited, but it’s reasonable to assume a primary sensor around 13MP. Image quality will be acceptable in good lighting conditions, but expect noise and a lack of detail in low-light scenarios. The presence of a Snapdragon ISP in the Nord N100 may offer slightly better image processing capabilities.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The BLU Studio X5 Max relies on a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU, an architecture dating back several years. This will struggle with multitasking and demanding applications. Conversely, the OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460, with its Octa-core configuration (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) built on an 11nm process, provides a substantial performance boost. The Snapdragon 460’s architecture and higher clock speeds translate to faster app loading times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience. The 4GB of RAM in the Nord N100 further aids multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery life will depend heavily on usage patterns. The OnePlus Nord N100’s 18W wired charging is a significant advantage over the BLU Studio X5 Max, which likely lacks fast charging capabilities. While the exact battery capacity of the X5 Max is unknown, the Nord N100’s more efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset and faster charging will likely result in a more convenient user experience, allowing for quicker top-ups and potentially longer sustained usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the BLU Studio X5 Max if you need a functional smartphone for essential tasks like calls, texts, and light web browsing, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prefer a smoother user experience, occasional gaming, and the benefits of a more modern chipset, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the OnePlus Nord N100 be able to handle popular mobile games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100 can run PUBG and Call of Duty, but expect to play on lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The BLU Studio X5 Max’s Cortex-A53 processor would likely struggle significantly with these titles.
❓ How long will software updates be supported on the OnePlus Nord N100 compared to the BLU Studio X5 Max?
OnePlus generally provides at least one major Android update and several security patches for its Nord series. BLU, historically, has a less consistent track record with software updates, meaning the X5 Max is likely to receive limited or no updates after its initial software version.
❓ Is the 64GB of storage on the OnePlus Nord N100 enough, or will I need a microSD card?
64GB is sufficient for basic usage, but if you plan to download many apps, games, or store a lot of photos and videos, a microSD card is highly recommended. The Nord N100 does support microSD card expansion.
