HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing convenience, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime compared to the Desire 21 Pro 5G’s 18W, and the measured 440 nits brightness provides a more usable outdoor experience, despite both phones sharing the same core processor.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, January 13 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, January 21 | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 167.1 x 78.1 x 9.4 mm (6.58 x 3.07 x 0.37 in) | 163 x 74.7 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 205 g (7.23 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, QC4 | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Purple | Midnight Ice |
| Models | - | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 350 EUR | 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) |
HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G
- Potentially longer software support from HTC
- Snapdragon 690 5G chipset offers 5G connectivity
- Reliable Qualcomm chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Unmeasured display brightness may limit outdoor visibility
- Limited camera details available
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W charging for quicker top-ups
- Brighter 440 nits display for better outdoor use
- OxygenOS offers customization options
- Software update consistency can be variable
- Snapdragon 690 5G chipset is not flagship-level
- Camera performance likely similar to Desire 21 Pro 5G
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits, a significant advantage over the unmeasured brightness of the Desire 21 Pro 5G. This translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize LCD panels (given the price point), the Nord N10 5G’s 1447:1 contrast ratio suggests a slightly more vibrant image. Bezels are expected to be comparable on both devices, typical for this price bracket, but the brighter display gives the Nord N10 5G a clear edge for outdoor use.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Given the price point, expect similar image sensor sizes and image quality. The absence of specific details makes a direct comparison difficult, but it’s reasonable to assume both will struggle in low-light conditions. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro lenses on either device is questionable, offering limited practical benefit over the main sensor. Image processing style will likely be the differentiating factor, with OnePlus typically favoring more saturated colors.
Performance
Both the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G are powered by the Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical. The real-world performance difference will likely stem from RAM management and software optimization, areas where OnePlus has historically excelled with OxygenOS. Thermal throttling, while not a major concern with the Snapdragon 690, could be slightly better managed on the Nord N10 5G due to OnePlus’s optimized software.
Battery Life
Both the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the crucial difference lies in charging speed. The Nord N10 5G supports 30W wired charging, while the Desire 21 Pro 5G is limited to 18W with Quick Charge 4.0. This means the Nord N10 5G can significantly reduce charging times, going from 0-100% much faster than the Desire 21 Pro 5G, a key convenience factor for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the HTC Desire 21 Pro 5G if you prioritize a brand with a longer Android update history (historically, HTC has offered more consistent updates than OnePlus in this segment) and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value faster charging, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and are comfortable with OnePlus’s OxygenOS software experience, which is known for its customization options.