The ultra-budget smartphone segment is fiercely competitive. Both the Lenovo K13 Note and OnePlus Nord N100 target this market with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 chipset. However, beyond the shared processor, key differences in charging speed and price point create a compelling comparison for users prioritizing value and convenience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the OnePlus Nord N100 emerges as the better choice. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 460, the Nord N100’s 18W charging capability significantly improves usability, and its $125 price point makes it an exceptional value proposition.
| 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 | 2021, June 22 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 22 | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.2 x 75.7 x 9.1 mm (6.50 x 2.98 x 0.36 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 | 200 g (7.05 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| 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 (~81.6% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 | Yes | - |
| 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 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, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Gray, Pearl Sakura | Midnight Frost |
| Models | - | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | About 120 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
Lenovo K13 Note
- Potentially lower upfront cost (depending on market)
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Snapdragon 460 provides adequate performance
- Slow 10W charging
- Limited information available
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord N100
- Faster 18W charging
- Excellent value at $125 (64GB/4GB)
- Snapdragon 460 provides adequate performance
- Still a budget device with limitations
- Camera performance likely average
- Limited RAM option (4GB)
Display Comparison
Neither Lenovo nor OnePlus provide display specifications beyond the chipset. Given the price point, both likely utilize LCD panels with 720p+ resolution. Expect similar viewing experiences, with neither phone likely to excel in color accuracy or brightness. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget nature. PWM dimming rates are unknown, but a potential area of concern for users sensitive to flicker.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Lenovo K13 Note are unavailable. The OnePlus Nord N100’s camera specifications are also limited, but it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature a primary camera alongside depth or macro sensors. Image quality will likely be similar, with both struggling in low-light conditions. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device will further limit low-light performance. Focusing on the primary sensor megapixel count is crucial, as auxiliary sensors (like 2MP macros) offer minimal real-world benefit.
Performance
Both the Lenovo K13 Note and OnePlus Nord N100 are powered by the Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm). This chipset features an octa-core CPU configuration with 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 cores and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240 cores. Performance will be nearly identical for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The Snapdragon 460 isn’t a powerhouse, but it’s sufficient for basic smartphone functionality. RAM configurations are unknown for the K13 Note, but the N100 offers a 4GB option, which is adequate for this class of device. Thermal throttling is unlikely to be a major issue given the chipset's modest power consumption.
Battery Life
Battery capacity for the Lenovo K13 Note is unknown. The OnePlus Nord N100’s battery capacity is also not specified. However, the key differentiator is charging speed. The Lenovo K13 Note supports only 10W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord N100 boasts 18W wired charging. This difference translates to significantly faster charging times for the Nord N100, reducing downtime and improving overall usability. A larger battery capacity on the K13 Note would need to be substantial to offset the charging speed disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Lenovo K13 Note if you absolutely need to minimize upfront cost and are willing to tolerate slower charging speeds. It’s a functional device for basic tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prioritize convenience and faster charging, even if it means spending a little more. The 18W charging is a substantial quality-of-life improvement for daily use, and the $125 price is hard to ignore.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 460 in the OnePlus Nord N100 powerful enough for casual gaming like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 can handle PUBG Mobile at low to medium settings with reasonable frame rates. However, don't expect a flagship gaming experience. The chipset is designed for efficiency and basic tasks, not demanding games. Lowering graphics settings will be necessary for smoother gameplay.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N100 with the 18W charger?
While a precise 0-100% charge time isn't officially specified, the 18W charging should take approximately 2-3 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the Lenovo K13 Note’s 10W charging, which could take upwards of 4-5 hours.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N100 support microSD card expansion?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord N100 supports microSD card expansion, allowing you to increase storage capacity beyond the internal 64GB. This is a valuable feature for users who plan to store a lot of photos, videos, or apps.
