The Realme 6S and OnePlus Nord N100 represent distinct approaches to the budget smartphone market. The Realme 6S, with its Helio G90T chipset, aims for gaming performance, while the Nord N100 prioritizes affordability with the Snapdragon 460. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and faster charging, the Realme 6S is the clear winner. Its Helio G90T chipset delivers significantly better performance than the Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100. However, the Nord N100 offers compelling value at $125, making it ideal for basic smartphone tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/75 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, May 26. Released 2020, June 02 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.94 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | Weather-sealed ports & loudspeaker | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785 Helio G90T (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Triple | - | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| 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 | 30W wired, 100% in 55 min | 18W wired |
| Type | 4300 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Eclipse Black, Lunar White | Midnight Frost |
| Models | RMX2002 | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
Realme 6S
- Significantly better gaming performance due to the Helio G90T chipset.
- Much faster 30W charging for quick top-ups.
- Likely superior camera capabilities (based on brand positioning).
- Helio G90T is prone to thermal throttling under sustained load.
- Potentially lower battery life during intensive tasks.
OnePlus Nord N100
- Extremely affordable at $125.
- Potentially better power efficiency with the Snapdragon 460.
- Simple and streamlined user experience.
- Significantly weaker performance for gaming and demanding apps.
- Slow 18W charging.
- Likely a less capable camera system.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for both, the focus here is on performance. The lack of high refresh rates on either phone suggests a cost-saving measure. The Realme 6S's potential for higher peak brightness (based on the G90T's typical implementation in other devices) would offer better outdoor visibility, but without concrete data, this remains speculative.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Realme 6S, positioned as a gaming phone, likely prioritizes camera features to a greater extent than the Nord N100. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes and optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests both phones rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The Nord N100’s likely focus on cost reduction may result in a less capable camera system overall. We can assume both phones include a standard array of lenses, but the Realme 6S is more likely to offer better low-light performance and detail.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 6S’s MediaTek Helio G90T (12nm) features a more powerful CPU configuration – octa-core with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the OnePlus Nord N100’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 (11nm) with its 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 and 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240. The G90T’s Cortex-A76 cores provide a substantial performance uplift in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, *should* offer better power efficiency, but the G90T’s raw power is likely to outweigh this advantage in most scenarios. The G90T is known to be prone to thermal throttling under sustained load, a potential drawback for extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The Realme 6S’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, achieving 100% charge in just 55 minutes. The Nord N100’s 18W charging is considerably slower. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging of the Realme 6S mitigates the impact of a potentially smaller battery. Users who frequently top up their phones will benefit greatly from the Realme 6S’s charging speed. The Snapdragon 460’s efficiency *could* translate to longer battery life with moderate use, but the G90T’s power draw during gaming will offset this advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 6S if you need a phone capable of handling demanding mobile games and appreciate significantly faster 30W charging. This is the choice for users who value performance over absolute lowest price. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prefer a minimalist experience, prioritize extreme affordability, and primarily use your phone for calls, texts, and light social media. It's a solid option for first-time smartphone buyers or those on a very tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the Nord N100 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 460 is a budget chipset and will likely require significantly reduced graphics settings and frame rates to run PUBG Mobile smoothly. Expect noticeable lag and stuttering, especially in intense firefights. The Realme 6S’s Helio G90T is far better suited for gaming.
❓ Is the Realme 6S likely to overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Helio G90T is known to generate heat under sustained load, and the Realme 6S may experience thermal throttling. While this won't necessarily brick the phone, you may notice performance drops after prolonged gaming. Consider using a cooling fan accessory for extended play.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N100 support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi varies by carrier. It's crucial to check compatibility with your specific mobile provider before purchasing the Nord N100, as these features significantly enhance call quality and network connectivity.
❓ How does the software experience differ between Realme UI and OxygenOS on the Nord N100?
The Nord N100 runs a simplified version of OxygenOS, which is generally cleaner than Realme UI. However, it receives fewer updates and lacks some of the advanced customization options found on flagship OnePlus devices. Realme UI is more feature-rich but can feel more cluttered.
