Lenovo K10 Note vs OnePlus Nord 5: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and a significantly smoother experience, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a substantial performance leap and 80W charging, justifying the higher price. However, the K10 Note remains a viable option for those on a tight budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Lenovo K10 Note | OnePlus Nord 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, September 05. Released 2019, September 16 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.6 x 74.3 x 7.9 mm (6.17 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 97.4 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM710 Snapdragon 710 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), ZUI 11 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), PDAF, 2x optical zoom Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4050 mAh, non-removable | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Knight Black, Stardust Blue | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | PAFR0026IN, PAFR0026, PAFR0033IN, PAFR0033, PAFR0013IN, PAFR0013 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Lenovo K10 Note
- Significantly more affordable
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Decent battery life for light usage
- Outdated Snapdragon 710 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Ultra-fast 80W charging
- Excellent battery endurance (49:12h)
- Higher price point
- May be overkill for basic users
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load (needs further testing)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the K10 Note’s unspecified brightness. This higher brightness translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the K10 Note’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s brightness suggests a more advanced panel, potentially with higher color accuracy. Bezels are likely slimmer on the Nord 5, reflecting its more modern design and premium positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the K10 Note, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 is expected to have a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The ISP enables faster image processing, improved low-light performance, and potentially more advanced features like computational photography. While the K10 Note may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the Nord 5 will likely excel in challenging scenarios and offer greater versatility.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Lenovo K10 Note utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 710 (10nm), while the OnePlus Nord 5 features the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm). This represents a generational leap in performance and efficiency. The 8s Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, coupled with its more efficient 4nm process, delivers substantially faster processing speeds and improved thermal management compared to the K10 Note’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold cores. The Nord 5’s LPDDR5x RAM (assumed, based on chipset) further enhances performance, while the K10 Note likely uses LPDDR4X. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a better gaming experience on the Nord 5.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is a standout feature, offering 49:12 hours of total usage and a 13:47-hour active use score. This is coupled with incredibly fast 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. The K10 Note’s 18W charging is significantly slower. While the K10 Note’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior charging speed and endurance, along with its 1200 charge cycles, provide a more convenient and long-lasting user experience. The Nord 5 also includes 33W PPS, 18W PD, and 5W reverse wired charging, adding to its versatility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K10 Note if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prefer a responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, and value fast charging and long-term software support. The Nord 5 is for users who want a phone that will remain capable for years to come.