The Oppo A94 5G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent a fascinating intersection in the budget 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver next-generation connectivity without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Oppo A94 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both boast similar battery endurance and charging speeds, the A94's superior processing power gives it the edge.
| 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, 7, 8, 38, 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 16 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 03 | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 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 | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 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 800U (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 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/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS, HDR | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 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 | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, PD, QC | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4310 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fluid Black, Space Silver, Cosmo Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | CPH2211 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 280 EUR | About 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 A94 5G
- Superior chipset performance with the Dimensity 800U
- More efficient 7nm process for better thermal management
- Potentially better camera processing with AI scene detection
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera sensor details are missing
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Solid 99-hour endurance rating
- Fast 30W charging with PD and QC support
- OxygenOS software experience
- Snapdragon 690 chipset offers less processing power
- 8nm process may lead to more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G provides measured display specs, boasting a 1447:1 contrast ratio and 440 nits of peak brightness. While adequate for everyday use, this brightness level may struggle in direct sunlight. The Oppo A94 5G’s display specifications are not provided, but given its market positioning, it likely features a similar LCD panel. The Nord N10’s contrast ratio suggests a standard IPS LCD, lacking the vibrancy of OLED displays found in higher-end devices. Neither phone is expected to offer high refresh rates, focusing instead on efficiency.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. However, the inclusion of a dedicated Night Mode and AI scene detection on the Oppo A94 5G suggests a focus on computational photography. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G likely relies on Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) for image processing. The absence of details on the main sensor size makes it hard to assess low-light performance, but larger sensors generally capture more light and detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A94 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800U, fabricated on a 7nm process, featuring an octa-core configuration with two high-performance Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz. This contrasts with the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm) with its octa-core setup of 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver cores. The 7nm process of the Dimensity 800U generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 8nm Snapdragon 690, allowing for sustained performance during intensive tasks. The A76 cores in the Oppo offer a significant architectural advantage over the Kryo 560 Gold, resulting in faster single-core and multi-core performance.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A94 5G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G share a 99-hour endurance rating, indicating comparable real-world battery life under typical usage. Both also support 30W wired charging, with both supporting PD and QC standards, promising relatively quick charging times. While the battery capacity of each device isn't specified, the Dimensity 800U’s superior power efficiency in the Oppo A94 5G could potentially offset a slightly smaller battery capacity, maintaining similar overall endurance.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A94 5G if you prioritize performance for gaming, streaming, and demanding applications. Its Dimensity 800U chipset offers a more responsive experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you are primarily focused on a consistent 99-hour endurance rating and prefer the OnePlus OxygenOS software experience, accepting a slight performance trade-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running these games, but you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The Dimensity 800U in the Oppo A94 5G offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings and fewer frame drops due to its more powerful CPU and GPU.
❓ Does the Oppo A94 5G support 5G carrier aggregation, and if so, how does it impact real-world speeds?
While not explicitly stated, the Dimensity 800U generally supports 5G carrier aggregation, allowing it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more stable download speeds. This is particularly beneficial in areas with strong 5G coverage, resulting in a noticeable improvement in browsing, streaming, and downloading.
❓ Is the 30W charging on both phones truly fast, and how long does it take to charge from 0% to 100%?
30W charging is considered relatively fast for this price segment. While exact 0-100% times aren't available, both phones should fully charge in approximately 60-75 minutes, depending on usage during charging. The inclusion of PD and QC support ensures compatibility with a wider range of chargers.
