Both the Oppo A53 5G and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G target the increasingly competitive budget 5G market. While both aim to deliver next-generation connectivity without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this, particularly in chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, while not a performance leader, is built on a more efficient 8nm process, and the significantly faster 30W charging is a game-changer. However, the Oppo A53 5G remains a viable option for those prioritizing a lower initial cost.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 18. Released 2020, December 21 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.39 x 2.95 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 | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB 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 | 5 MP, AF | - |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 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 | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 30W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 200 h | - |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h 30 min | - |
| Type | Li-Po 4040 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Green, Purple | Midnight Ice |
| Models | PECM30, PECT30 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.79 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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 A53 5G
- Potentially lower initial purchase price
- 5G connectivity
- Decent battery endurance
- Slow 10W charging
- Less efficient chipset (7nm vs 8nm)
- Limited display information suggests a basic panel
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 690 chipset (8nm)
- Brighter display with better contrast
- Potentially higher price
- Camera performance relies heavily on software processing
- Battery life is similar to the A53 despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, providing a more visually engaging experience than the Oppo A53 5G, for which display specs are not provided. While both likely utilize LCD panels given their price points, the Nord N10’s higher brightness is crucial for outdoor visibility. The lack of detailed display information for the A53 suggests a more basic panel, potentially impacting color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is missing. Without specifics, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, OnePlus typically focuses on image processing algorithms that prioritize natural-looking photos, while Oppo often leans towards more saturated and vibrant results. The absence of details like sensor size and aperture makes a direct comparison challenging, but the Nord N10’s brand reputation suggests a more consistent camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo A53 5G uses the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 690 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal management compared to the 7nm Dimensity 720. Both CPUs feature a similar octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz performance cores, but the Snapdragon’s Kryo 560 Gold cores are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A76 in the Dimensity 720. This gives the Nord N10 a slight edge in sustained performance, particularly in graphically demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Oppo A53 5G is limited to a slow 10W wired charge, while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G supports a significantly faster 30W wired charge. This means the Nord N10 can replenish its battery much more quickly, minimizing downtime and offering a more convenient user experience. The faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 5G if you need the absolute lowest possible price for 5G connectivity and are willing to compromise on charging speed and potentially long-term performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize faster charging, a slightly more refined user experience (typical of OnePlus), and a chipset built on a more modern fabrication process, offering better thermal headroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 690 in the OnePlus Nord N10 5G powerful enough for gaming?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of handling most mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, its 8nm process and optimized cores provide a stable experience for popular titles. Expect to adjust graphics settings for more demanding games to maintain smooth frame rates.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the Oppo A53 5G from 0% to 100%?
With its 10W charging, the Oppo A53 5G will take a considerable amount of time to fully charge – likely exceeding 3 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the Nord N10’s 30W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around an hour.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N10 5G support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 690 supports carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for potentially faster download and upload speeds, provided your carrier supports it. This is a key advantage for maximizing 5G performance.
