Motorola G Pure vs. OnePlus Nord N100: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the Motorola G Pure and the OnePlus Nord N100 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the G Pure relying on a MediaTek Helio G25 chipset and the Nord N100 opting for a Qualcomm Snapdragon 460. This comparison will dissect the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N100 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the G Pure’s 12nm Helio G25. The 18W charging is a significant advantage, mitigating the impact of a potentially smaller battery (spec not provided).

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola G Pure OnePlus Nord N100
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 38, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2021, October 072020, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 14Available. Released 2020, November 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame
Dimensions167.4 x 75.6 x 8.8 mm (6.59 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)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight188 g (6.63 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~80.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240)
ChipsetMediatek MT6762G Helio G25 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 610
OSAndroid 11Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal32GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single5 MP, f/2.4, 1.12µm8 MP, f/2.0
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCNo-
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted)Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired18W wired
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDeep IndigoMidnight Frost
ModelsXT-2163-4, XT2163-4, XT2163-6, XT2163-1, XT2163-2BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012
Price$ 63.99 / C$ 123.00About 80 EUR
Pricing
64GB 4GB RAM-$ 125.00
RENEWED-$ 129.00

Motorola G Pure

  • Potentially longer battery life (depending on capacity)
  • Simpler, less cluttered software experience (typical of Motorola)
  • Lower price point (potentially)

  • Significantly slower charging (10W)
  • Less powerful chipset (Helio G25)
  • Likely lower sustained performance

OnePlus Nord N100

  • Faster charging (18W)
  • More efficient chipset (Snapdragon 460)
  • Better overall performance
  • More responsive user experience

  • OxygenOS can be more resource intensive than Motorola's UI
  • Potentially shorter battery life (depending on capacity)

Display Comparison

Neither device is expected to boast a premium display. Details on panel type, resolution, and refresh rate are missing for the G Pure, suggesting a basic LCD. The Nord N100 also likely features an LCD, but the focus here is on the chipset impact on UI smoothness. Bezels are expected to be substantial on both, reflecting their budget positioning. Color accuracy will likely be standard for this price range, prioritizing power efficiency over fidelity.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the market segment suggests both phones will rely on budget sensors. The presence of a 64GB/4GB RAM configuration on the N100 indicates a greater emphasis on software features, potentially including more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The G Pure likely employs simpler image processing. The absence of OIS on either device means image stabilization will rely heavily on software, where the N100’s potentially more powerful chipset could provide an edge.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) benefits from a more efficient manufacturing process compared to the Motorola G Pure’s MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm). While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores, clocked at 1.8GHz, offer a slight frequency advantage over the G Pure’s 2.0GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The 11nm process node is crucial; it translates to lower power consumption and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load. This means the N100 will likely maintain performance for longer during tasks like gaming or video editing. The G Pure's CPU configuration, with a mix of 2.0GHz and 1.5GHz cores, suggests a focus on burst performance, but the less efficient process will limit its sustained capabilities.

Battery Life

The Motorola G Pure’s 10W charging is a significant disadvantage. While battery capacity isn’t specified, 10W charging will require a considerably longer time to reach a full charge. The OnePlus Nord N100’s 18W charging offers a substantial improvement, potentially reducing charge times by 40-50%. This is a critical advantage for users who rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. Even if the G Pure has a slightly larger battery capacity, the slower charging speed will likely negate that benefit for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola G Pure if your primary need is absolute simplicity and a minimal software experience, and you prioritize a potentially longer-lasting battery over raw performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you value a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and a chipset that’s better equipped to handle modern apps and light gaming. The N100 is the better all-rounder for the average smartphone user.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100 handle popular games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 460 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to play at lower graphics settings (Medium or Low) to maintain a stable frame rate. The Helio G25 in the G Pure will struggle more with demanding titles, requiring even lower settings and potentially experiencing noticeable lag.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge each phone?
With 10W charging, the Motorola G Pure will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge. The OnePlus Nord N100’s 18W charging should reduce this to around 1.5 - 2 hours, depending on battery capacity. This is a substantial difference for daily usability.
❓ Is the 64GB of storage on the Nord N100 enough, or should I consider a microSD card?
64GB is sufficient for basic usage, but if you plan to download many apps, games, or store a lot of photos and videos, a microSD card is highly recommended. The Nord N100 supports microSD card expansion, while the G Pure's support is unconfirmed.
❓ Which phone is better for streaming videos and browsing the web?
The OnePlus Nord N100 will provide a smoother experience for streaming and browsing due to the Snapdragon 460’s superior processing power. The G Pure may exhibit occasional lag or stuttering during these tasks, especially with multiple apps open.