The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and Infinix Hot 10s represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through chipset choice and overall feature set. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a more efficient and generally smoother experience than the Infinix Hot 10s’ Helio G85. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the Nord N10’s 30W charging is a significant advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 21 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 12 | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 171.5 x 77.5 x 9.2 mm (6.75 x 3.05 x 0.36 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 | - | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, XOS 7.6 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Quad-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0, 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lenses | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired |
| Type | 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Purple, Morandi Green, Heart of Ocean | Midnight Ice |
| Models | X689B, X689, X689D | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 110 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) |
Infinix Hot 10s
- Potentially lower price point
- Large display (assumed)
- Decent battery life (99h endurance)
- Less efficient Helio G85 chipset
- Likely slower charging speeds
- Limited performance for demanding tasks
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 690 5G chipset
- 30W fast charging
- Better overall performance and smoothness
- Slightly higher price
- Display brightness could be better
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G features a display capable of 440 nits of peak brightness, offering adequate visibility outdoors. While the Infinix Hot 10s’ display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be comparable in brightness. However, the Nord N10’s 1447:1 contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. Neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate panels, focusing instead on affordability. The absence of detailed display specs for the Hot 10s makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Nord N10’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Given the price point, it’s reasonable to assume both will feature a primary camera and potentially multiple secondary sensors. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. However, OnePlus generally invests more in image processing algorithms, potentially giving the Nord N10 an advantage in dynamic range and low-light performance. The lack of detail makes a direct comparison impossible, but OnePlus’s brand reputation suggests a more refined camera experience.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm), featuring a Kryo 560 Gold/Silver CPU configuration. This 8nm process is more efficient than the 12nm process used in the Infinix Hot 10s’ MediaTek Helio G85. The Helio G85, while offering a similar CPU clock speed (2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores), will likely exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon 690’s architecture is optimized for 5G and offers better overall performance and power efficiency, benefiting gamers and multitaskers. The Nord N10 will provide a smoother experience with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both the Infinix Hot 10s and OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours. This suggests similar battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the Nord N10 5G boasts 30W wired charging, a significant advantage over the likely slower charging speeds of the Hot 10s. This means the Nord N10 can be rapidly topped up, minimizing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging capability of the Nord N10 provides a practical benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Infinix Hot 10s if your priority is maximizing value for basic smartphone tasks and you primarily need a large screen for media consumption. It’s a solid option for users on a very tight budget. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize smoother performance, faster charging, and a more refined software experience, even if it means spending slightly more. It’s ideal for users who occasionally game or multitask.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G85 in the Infinix Hot 10s struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G85 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The 12nm process and less powerful GPU compared to the Snapdragon 690 mean it's more prone to thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to performance drops.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G with the 30W charger?
OnePlus claims the Nord N10 5G can charge from 0 to 100% in approximately 58 minutes with the included 30W Warp Charge 30T charger. Real-world results may vary slightly depending on usage during charging, but it's significantly faster than the likely charging speeds of the Infinix Hot 10s.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G support all 5G bands?
The Snapdragon 690 supports a wide range of 5G bands, but compatibility depends on your carrier and region. It's crucial to check with your mobile provider to ensure the Nord N10 5G is compatible with their 5G network before purchasing.
