OnePlus Nord N10 5G vs Cubot X30: Which Budget Phone Reigns Supreme?

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Cubot X30 aims to deliver essential features at a low price point, while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G attempts to bridge the gap between affordability and modern connectivity with 5G support and faster charging. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Cubot X30’s older Helio P60. The inclusion of 30W charging and 5G connectivity further solidify its position as the more future-proof option.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot X30 OnePlus Nord N10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA
Launch
Announced2020. Released 20202020, October 26
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, November 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions157.1 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)163 x 74.7 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619L
OSAndroid 10Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Penta48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lenses-
Quad-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP16 MP, f/2.1
VideoYes1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-30W wired
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Black, Gradient GreenMidnight Ice
Models-BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028
Price-About 250 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 99h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- -25.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 279579 (v8) GeekBench: 1848 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Cubot X30

  • Potentially lower price point
  • May offer longer standby time due to less demanding chipset
  • Basic smartphone functionality

  • Outdated Helio P60 chipset
  • Likely slower charging speeds
  • No 5G connectivity
  • Limited display specifications

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • Snapdragon 690 offers superior performance
  • 30W fast charging
  • Brighter and higher contrast display

  • Slightly higher price
  • May require more frequent charging with heavy use
  • Camera performance likely average for the price range

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display in bright conditions compared to the Cubot X30, for which display specifications are unavailable. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels given their price points, the Nord N10’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor use. The absence of detailed display information for the Cubot X30 suggests a lower-tier panel.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for both. However, given the price bracket, it’s reasonable to assume both rely on relatively basic camera setups. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers better image processing and low-light performance than MediaTek’s equivalent. The lack of detail suggests neither phone will excel in photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm) is a significant upgrade over the Cubot X30’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 690 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Snapdragon 690’s Kryo 560 Gold cores offer superior single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and smoother multitasking. The Helio P60, while capable, is showing its age and will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

Interestingly, both the Cubot X30 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G share an endurance rating of 99 hours. However, this doesn’t tell the whole story. The Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the Cubot X30, which likely has a slower charging rate. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 690’s superior power efficiency means the Nord N10 5G will likely extract more usable battery life from a similar-sized cell.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot X30 if you prioritize absolute lowest cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. You'll be making significant compromises in performance and future-proofing. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you want a smoother user experience, faster charging, and the ability to take advantage of 5G networks, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G powerful enough for modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running many popular mobile games at medium settings. However, demanding titles may require reduced graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio P60 in the Cubot X30 will struggle with most modern games.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord N10 5G compared to the Cubot X30?
While the Cubot X30's charging speed is unknown, it's likely to be significantly slower than the Nord N10 5G's 30W charging. The Nord N10 5G can typically charge from 0-100% in around an hour, while the Cubot X30 could take upwards of 2-3 hours.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times between the two phones?
Yes, you will. The Snapdragon 690’s superior CPU and memory controller will result in noticeably faster app loading times and smoother multitasking compared to the Helio P60.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N10 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 690 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it.