Realme Q2 vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Two Affordable 5G Phones
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing raw performance and future-proofing, the Realme Q2 emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. Both offer similar battery and charging capabilities.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme Q2 | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
| 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, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DL | 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, October 13. Released 2020, October 19 | 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 75.1 x 9.1 mm (6.39 x 2.96 x 0.36 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 | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | 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 10, Realme UI | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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 |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | - | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Violet | Midnight Ice |
| Models | RMX2117 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 160 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) |
Realme Q2
- More powerful Dimensity 800U chipset for better performance
- Potentially better thermal management due to 7nm process
- Likely better value for performance-focused users
- Display specifications are unknown, potentially lagging behind Nord N10
- Camera details are scarce, making it hard to assess image quality
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Measured display brightness of 440 nits
- Established OnePlus software experience
- Good battery endurance (99h)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 690 chipset
- 8nm process may lead to more heat under load
- Potentially higher price for similar performance
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a display measured at 440 nits of peak brightness and a 1447:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this is a key area where the Realme Q2 potentially gains ground, though specific brightness data is unavailable. The Nord N10’s LCD panel, while offering adequate visibility, lacks the vibrant colors and deeper blacks of AMOLED displays often found in this price bracket. The contrast ratio suggests a standard LCD experience, and the 440 nits peak brightness may struggle in direct sunlight. We expect the Q2 to offer a comparable experience, but without specific data, it's difficult to definitively state which is superior.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both rely on similar mid-range camera setups. The absence of information suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, focusing instead on providing adequate image quality for social media and casual photography. We can assume the Realme Q2, given its focus on performance, might have slightly more processing power dedicated to image processing, but this is speculative.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Q2 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This is a significant step up from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm) in the Nord N10 5G, which has 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver cores. The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores are more powerful than the Kryo 560 Gold cores, translating to faster application loading times and smoother multitasking. The 7nm process node of the Dimensity 800U also contributes to better power efficiency. While both support 5G, the Dimensity 800U generally offers superior modem performance and carrier aggregation capabilities.
Battery Life
Both the Realme Q2 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G share a 30W wired charging capability, promising relatively quick top-ups. Both also have an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (which are not specified). The 30W charging should deliver a full charge in approximately 60-75 minutes for both devices. The identical endurance rating indicates that any differences in battery capacity are offset by the efficiency of the respective chipsets and software optimizations.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q2 if you need a phone capable of handling more demanding applications, enjoy mobile gaming, and want a device with a more powerful processor for its price. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize a slightly brighter display and are less concerned with maximizing CPU and GPU performance, or if you are heavily invested in the OnePlus ecosystem.