The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, demanding compromises. Both the Lenovo K12 and OnePlus Nord N100 aim to deliver a functional Android experience at an incredibly low price point. However, they take different approaches, with Lenovo prioritizing a larger display and the Nord N100 focusing on a more modern chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects these trade-offs to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord N100 is the better choice. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Lenovo K12’s MediaTek Helio G25, despite the K12’s slightly lower price. The faster 18W charging is also a significant benefit.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | 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 | Not announced yet | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 75.7 x 8.9 mm (6.49 x 2.98 x 0.35 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 | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | Water-repellent coating | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~81.7% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2 | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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 | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mineral Gray, Aqua Blue | Midnight Frost |
| Models | XT2095-4 | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
Lenovo K12
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer a larger display size (unconfirmed)
- Simple and straightforward Android experience
- Less powerful MediaTek Helio G25 chipset
- Slower 10W charging
- Likely inferior thermal management
OnePlus Nord N100
- More efficient Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Faster 18W charging
- Larger 5000mAh battery
- Slightly higher price
- May not have the absolute largest display
- Still an entry-level device with limitations
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. However, details like peak brightness and color gamut are unavailable. The focus here is on size and resolution. While the K12’s display size is not specified, the Nord N100’s 6.52-inch display offers a reasonable viewing experience. The absence of high refresh rates or HDR support is expected at this price point, but the Nord N100’s slightly more modern construction may offer marginally better viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is likely to be similar, with both devices relying on budget sensors. Details on sensor size and aperture are missing, but it’s safe to assume both will produce acceptable results in good lighting conditions. The Nord N100’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 460 likely offers slightly better image processing capabilities, potentially resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. The prevalence of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices suggests limited utility; these are primarily for marketing purposes.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) is architecturally superior to the Lenovo K12’s MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm). The 11nm process generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management. While both utilize octa-core CPUs with a similar core configuration (4x high-performance, 4x efficiency), the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo cores are more efficient than the Cortex-A53 cores in the Helio G25. This results in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking on the Nord N100. The K12’s Helio G25 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding applications.
Battery Life
Battery capacity is not specified for the Lenovo K12, but the OnePlus Nord N100 packs a 5000mAh battery. The K12’s 10W charging is significantly slower than the Nord N100’s 18W charging. This means the Nord N100 can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime. While the larger battery capacity of the Nord N100 provides a longer runtime, the more efficient Snapdragon 460 chipset also contributes to improved battery life, even if the K12 had a comparable capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K12 if you absolutely need to minimize upfront cost and a larger screen is paramount, even at the expense of performance. It’s suitable for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you value a smoother user experience, faster app loading times, and quicker charging, making it ideal for users who want a more responsive device for everyday use and occasional gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the 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. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it’s significantly more capable than the Helio G25 in the K12 for gaming.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N100 with the 18W charger?
The OnePlus Nord N100’s 5000mAh battery will take approximately 2-2.5 hours to fully charge from 0% using the included 18W charger. This is considerably faster than the Lenovo K12’s 10W charging, which could take upwards of 4-5 hours.
❓ Is the 4GB of RAM in both phones enough for multitasking?
4GB of RAM is sufficient for basic multitasking, such as switching between a few apps. However, running many apps simultaneously or using memory-intensive applications may lead to slowdowns. The Snapdragon 460’s more efficient memory management will help the Nord N100 handle multitasking slightly better.
❓ Does either phone have expandable storage via microSD card?
While not explicitly stated in the provided data, OnePlus Nord N100 typically includes microSD card support, allowing you to expand the 64GB of internal storage. The Lenovo K12's support is unknown, but common in this price bracket.
