OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs. Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into OnePlus's Mid-Range 5G Offerings
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the better choice. Its significantly brighter display (607 nits vs 440 nits) and superior battery endurance (117h vs 99h) provide a more enjoyable and reliable daily experience. While the N10 5G is more affordable, the compromises in screen quality and battery life are substantial.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe | 1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 78 SA/NSA - India | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 10 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 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 | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | 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 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray | Midnight Ice |
| Models | EB2101, EB2103 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 117h | Endurance rating 99h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -29.9 LUFS (Average) | -25.8 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 279579 (v8) GeekBench: 1848 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Superior battery life (117h endurance)
- More powerful Snapdragon 750G processor
- Potentially higher price point
- Camera details are limited without further specs
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- More affordable price
- Supports 5G connectivity
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Dimmer display, less usable outdoors
- Shorter battery life (99h endurance)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 690 processor
Display Comparison
The display is where the Nord CE 5G pulls ahead decisively. Its measured peak brightness of 607 nits is substantially higher than the N10 5G’s 440 nits, making it far more usable in direct sunlight. While both displays have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the N10 5G’s 1447:1 measured ratio suggests a less optimized panel. The CE 5G’s brighter panel translates to a more vivid and engaging viewing experience, particularly for videos and photos. The N10 5G's lower brightness will likely require users to increase brightness, impacting battery life.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are lacking. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given OnePlus’s typical approach, the CE 5G likely benefits from more refined image processing algorithms due to its more recent release. The N10 5G’s camera is adequate for casual snapshots, but the CE 5G is expected to deliver more consistent and detailed results, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on both is largely inconsequential; image quality from such sensors is typically poor.
Performance
Under the hood, the Nord CE 5G boasts the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm), while the N10 5G utilizes the Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The 750G features a more modern CPU architecture – octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) versus the N10’s octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver). This translates to a noticeable performance advantage for the CE 5G in demanding tasks and gaming. While both are 8nm chips, the 750G’s newer architecture offers improved efficiency and sustained performance. The N10 5G is still capable for everyday tasks, but will show its limitations more quickly.
Battery Life
The Nord CE 5G’s endurance rating of 117 hours surpasses the N10 5G’s 99 hours, indicating a longer-lasting battery life in real-world usage. Both support 30W wired charging, with the CE 5G claiming 70% charge in 30 minutes. The CE 5G’s superior endurance, combined with the same charging speed, means users will spend less time tethered to a charger. The N10 5G’s lower endurance necessitates more frequent charging, even with the same 30W charging capability.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize a vibrant, easily viewable display, and longer battery life for all-day use. It’s ideal for media consumption, outdoor use, and users who don’t want to constantly worry about charging. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if your budget is extremely tight and you primarily need basic smartphone functionality with 5G connectivity, accepting compromises in display quality and battery performance.