The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot P30, featuring the Mediatek Helio P23, and the OnePlus Nord N100, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, represent two distinct approaches to delivering affordable mobile experiences. This comparison dives deep into their specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and a smoother overall experience, the OnePlus Nord N100 is the better choice. Its newer 11nm Snapdragon 460 chipset offers improved power efficiency and sustained performance compared to the older 16nm Helio P23 in the Cubot P30, despite similar CPU core counts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 19, 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | 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 | 2020. Released 2020 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 8.1 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.32 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 | 186.4 g (6.56 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6763 Helio P23 (16 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G71 MP2 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 12 MP, (wide), 1/2.9", AF
8 MP, 125˚ (ultrawide)
20 MP, (depth), 1/2.78" | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Unspecified | 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 | Unspecified | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 18W wired |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black, Green | Midnight Frost |
| Models | - | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
Cubot P30
- Potentially lower price point
- Octa-core processor for multitasking
- May offer larger storage options
- Older, less efficient chipset
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Potentially lower camera quality
OnePlus Nord N100
- More efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset
- 18W fast charging
- Larger, higher-resolution display
- Slightly higher price
- Basic camera system
- Limited internal storage (64GB)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Details on panel type and resolution are missing for the Cubot P30, suggesting a basic LCD. The OnePlus Nord N100 also utilizes an LCD, but its larger size (6.52 inches) and higher resolution (720 x 1600) provide a slightly more immersive viewing experience. The absence of high refresh rates on both models indicates a focus on cost savings rather than visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for the Cubot P30, making a direct comparison difficult. The OnePlus Nord N100 features a 13MP main sensor, which, while not exceptional, is likely to outperform any similarly specced sensor found in the P30 due to Qualcomm’s image signal processing capabilities. The N100 also includes a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor, but these are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit. Focusing on the primary sensor, the N100 provides a more reliable photography experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Cubot P30’s Mediatek Helio P23 (16nm) utilizes eight Cortex-A53 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz. While the core count is identical, the OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) employs a more modern architecture with Kryo 240 cores split into performance (1.8 GHz) and efficiency (1.6 GHz) clusters. The 11nm process node of the Snapdragon 460 is significantly more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance under load. This means the N100 is less likely to throttle during extended gaming or multitasking. The N100's 4GB of RAM, paired with the Snapdragon 460, will provide a noticeably smoother experience than the P30's likely similar RAM configuration.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Cubot P30. The OnePlus Nord N100 packs a 5000mAh battery, a substantial size for a budget device. Crucially, it supports 18W wired charging, allowing for a significantly faster recharge time than the P30, which likely relies on slower charging speeds. While the P30 might have a comparable or even larger battery, the N100’s charging speed provides a tangible usability advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Cubot P30 if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and are extremely budget-constrained. Its lower price point makes it accessible, but expect compromises in performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prefer a more responsive user experience, occasional gaming, and the convenience of 18W fast charging, even if it means spending a little more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the OnePlus Nord N100 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (balanced or low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P23 in the Cubot P30 will struggle with PUBG, likely requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing significant lag.
❓ Is the 64GB of storage on the OnePlus Nord N100 enough, and can it be expanded?
64GB is relatively limited, especially with modern app sizes. Fortunately, the OnePlus Nord N100 supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to add up to 512GB of additional storage. The Cubot P30's storage expandability is unknown, but it's a crucial consideration if you plan to store many photos, videos, or apps.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the 11nm process of the Snapdragon 460 make compared to the 16nm Helio P23?
The 11nm process is significantly more power-efficient. This translates to longer battery life during typical use and, more importantly, less thermal throttling under sustained load. The Nord N100 will maintain performance for longer periods during gaming or video recording, while the P30 is more likely to slow down as it heats up.
