The Oppo A53 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent distinct approaches to the budget 5G market. The A53 prioritizes affordability, while the Nord N10 5G aims for a more balanced experience with a faster processor and quicker charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance uplift over the A53’s Snapdragon 460, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both offer similar battery endurance ratings, the N10’s faster charging is a key advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, August 20. Released 2020, August 25 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 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 |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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, with stereo speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fairy White, Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | CPH2127, CPH2131 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | £ 158.16 / € 169.99 | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 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
- Extremely affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Slow Snapdragon 460 processor
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely a basic display experience
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 processor
- 30W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Slightly higher price than the Oppo A53
- May not have the absolute longest battery life (offset by charging)
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 440 nits compared to an unstated value for the A53. This brightness advantage, coupled with a 1447:1 contrast ratio, translates to better visibility outdoors. While both likely utilize LCD panels, the N10’s superior brightness and contrast make it the clear winner for media consumption and general usability. The A53’s display specs are not provided, suggesting a more basic panel.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for both. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given OnePlus’s history of prioritizing camera performance even in budget devices, the N10 5G likely offers a more refined camera experience. The A53, positioned as a more cost-focused device, likely employs a simpler camera system. The absence of detail suggests neither phone will challenge flagship camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm) is a substantial upgrade over the A53’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The 8nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, meaning the N10 5G will sustain peak performance for longer periods. The CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver on the N10 versus 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240 on the A53 – further reinforces this advantage, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. The N10 5G is better suited for gaming and demanding applications.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones share an endurance rating of 99 hours. This suggests similar battery capacity and power efficiency despite the chipset differences. However, the Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. The A53’s 18W charging will take considerably longer to replenish the battery, making the N10 5G more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their device. The faster charging effectively mitigates any potential battery life differences.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53 if you need an extremely affordable 5G phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing, and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize smoother multitasking, occasional gaming, faster charging, and a brighter, more usable display, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a significant step up from the Snapdragon 460 in the A53, offering a more playable experience.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G from 0% to 100% with the 30W charger?
While OnePlus doesn't provide exact figures, independent testing suggests the Nord N10 5G can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 55-65 minutes with the included 30W charger. This is considerably faster than the Oppo A53's 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours.
❓ Is the camera on the Nord N10 5G good enough for casual photography and social media?
While detailed camera specs are limited, OnePlus generally delivers competent camera performance even in its budget offerings. Expect decent image quality in good lighting conditions, suitable for social media sharing. Low-light performance will likely be average.
