The Realme 7i and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent distinct approaches to the affordable 5G smartphone market. The Realme 7i focuses on delivering a solid all-around experience at an extremely competitive price point, while the Nord N10 5G aims to offer a more premium feel and faster 5G connectivity, albeit with some trade-offs. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and value, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, coupled with 30W charging, provides a noticeable advantage in speed and convenience, justifying the slightly higher price. However, the Realme 7i remains a compelling option for those on a tighter budget.
| 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, September 17. Released 2020, September 18 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.1 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | 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 (~82.3% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB 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, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora Green, Polar Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | RMX2103 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 180 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.10 W/kg (head) 0.53 W/kg (body) | - |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | Rp 2,950,000 | - |
| 64GB 4GB RAM | ₹ 12,990 | - |
| 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) |
Realme 7i
- Highly affordable price point
- Decent battery life (99h endurance)
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful chipset compared to Nord N10 5G
- Limited display information suggests lower quality
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 5G chipset
- Significantly faster 30W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- Higher price compared to Realme 7i
- Battery life is comparable, not superior
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, suggesting a more vibrant and visible display in bright conditions compared to the Realme 7i, for which display specs are not provided. While the Realme 7i likely offers a decent viewing experience, the Nord N10 5G’s higher contrast ratio will translate to deeper blacks and a more immersive visual experience. The absence of detailed display information for the Realme 7i suggests it targets a more cost-conscious segment where display quality isn't the primary focus.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. Without specifics, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s positioning suggests a greater emphasis on camera quality, potentially featuring a larger main sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms. The Realme 7i likely prioritizes affordability, potentially resulting in a more basic camera experience. The absence of OIS information for either device suggests both rely on software stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme 7i utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 (11nm), while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G features the Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 690 is more efficient, leading to better thermal management and sustained performance. The CPU configuration also favors the Nord N10 5G with its 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores versus the 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores in the 7i. While the 7i has more cores overall, the architectural improvements in the 690 provide a performance edge, particularly in demanding tasks and 5G connectivity. The Nord N10 5G is better suited for users who engage in mobile gaming or frequently use resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging significantly outperforms the Realme 7i’s 18W charging. This translates to much faster top-up times, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to recharge their devices. While the Realme 7i’s battery may last a similar duration, the Nord N10 5G’s faster charging mitigates the inconvenience of running low on power.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7i if you need a reliable daily driver with a long-lasting battery and are primarily focused on essential smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and social media. It’s ideal for users who prioritize affordability above all else. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prefer faster performance for gaming and streaming, quicker charging speeds, and a more modern 5G experience, and are willing to spend a bit more for those benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G offer a noticeable gaming improvement over the Snapdragon 662 in the Realme 7i?
Yes, the Snapdragon 690 provides a tangible improvement in gaming performance. Its more efficient 8nm process and improved CPU/GPU architecture allow for higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. While the Realme 7i can handle casual games, the Nord N10 5G is better equipped for more intensive gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G with the 30W Warp Charge?
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 58 minutes with the included 30W Warp Charge adapter. This is significantly faster than the Realme 7i’s 18W charging, which would likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nord N10 5G actually useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. If you live in an area with robust 5G infrastructure, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE. However, if 5G coverage is limited, the benefit will be minimal. The Snapdragon 690 is specifically designed for 5G connectivity, offering a more efficient and reliable 5G experience than older chipsets.
