Oppo A3 4G vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Buyers

The Oppo A3 4G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options in the sub-$250 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The Nord N10 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a larger display, while the A3 4G focuses on fast charging and a more recent chipset generation, albeit without 5G. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing future-proofing and occasional 5G access, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 offers a performance edge and 5G capability. However, the Oppo A3 4G’s 45W charging is a significant advantage for those who value rapid top-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A3 4G OnePlus Nord N10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - version 1HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - version 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA
Launch
Announced2024, August 202020, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, August 20Available. Released 2020, November 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions165.8 x 76.1 x 7.7 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)163 x 74.7 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionPanda glassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM-6115 Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen1 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 619L
OSAndroid 14, ColorOS 14Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Video1080p@30/60fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single5 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.1
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCYes, 360˚ (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD2.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min30W wired
Type5100 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsSparkle Black, Starry Purple, Starlight WhiteMidnight Ice
ModelsCPH2669, CPH3669BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028
PriceAbout 150 EURAbout 250 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 99h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- -25.8 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 279579 (v8) GeekBench: 1848 (v5.1) GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Oppo A3 4G

  • 45W Fast Charging with PD/PPS
  • More recent Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 chipset
  • Potentially better thermal management due to newer chipset

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Display specifications are unknown

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

  • 5G Connectivity
  • Larger Display (implied)
  • Snapdragon 690 offers better sustained performance

  • Slower 30W Charging
  • Older chipset generation

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a larger display, though specific size isn't provided, while the Oppo A3 4G’s display details are missing. The Nord N10 5G’s measured 440 nits of brightness is adequate for indoor use, but may struggle in direct sunlight. Its 1447:1 contrast ratio suggests decent black levels. Without display specs for the A3 4G, it’s difficult to directly compare, but the Nord N10 5G’s larger size offers a more immersive viewing experience.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both phones rely on similar-tier sensors. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, focusing instead on providing adequate image capture for social media and casual use. We can assume both will include a standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, though the quality of the macro lens is likely limited.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm), featuring a Kryo 560 CPU configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Silver cores. This 8nm process offers improved efficiency compared to the Oppo A3 4G’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 (11nm). The A3 4G’s CPU consists of 4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53 cores. While clock speeds appear higher on the A3 4G, the Snapdragon 690’s architecture and smaller node size generally translate to better sustained performance and power efficiency, particularly in graphically intensive tasks. The 5G modem in the Nord N10 5G is a key differentiator.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Oppo A3 4G supports 45W wired charging with PD2.0 and PPS, promising a 50% charge in just 30 minutes. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G is limited to 30W charging. This means the A3 4G will significantly reduce downtime for users who prioritize quick charging, even if the overall battery endurance is similar.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A3 4G if you need exceptionally fast charging and don't require 5G connectivity. Its 45W charging and newer Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 make it ideal for users who frequently need to quickly replenish their battery. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prefer 5G connectivity, a larger display, and a slightly more powerful processor for handling demanding apps and games, even if it means slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The chipset's performance is a step up from the Snapdragon 6s Gen 1, but it's not a flagship-level gaming processor.
❓ How much faster is the 45W charging on the Oppo A3 4G compared to the 30W charging on the Nord N10 5G in real-world use?
The Oppo A3 4G's 45W charging will noticeably reduce charging time. While both phones achieve similar endurance, the A3 4G can gain a significant charge percentage in a shorter period – approximately 50% in 30 minutes, compared to a slower rate on the Nord N10 5G. This is a major benefit for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Oppo A3 4G a significant drawback in 2024?
It depends on your location and carrier. If 5G coverage is limited in your area, or you don't have a 5G data plan, the lack of 5G on the A3 4G won't be a major issue. However, if you live in an area with widespread 5G coverage and want to take advantage of faster data speeds, the Nord N10 5G is the better choice.