The Realme V3 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded budget 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge significantly in their core hardware choices, impacting performance, charging speed, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly brighter display, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the 440 nits brightness provides a more comfortable viewing experience outdoors. However, the Realme V3 offers a competitive chipset and represents strong value.
| 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, 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, September 01. Released 2020, September 10 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76 x 8.6 mm (6.47 x 2.99 x 0.34 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 | 189.5 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~81.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 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 720 (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 | Unspecified | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB 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, (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, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver | Midnight Ice |
| Models | - | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 120 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 V3
- Potentially more efficient chipset (Dimensity 720)
- Competitive price point
- Solid 5G connectivity
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- Limited camera details available
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W charging
- Brighter 440 nits display
- More efficient Snapdragon 690 chipset
- May be slightly more expensive
- Camera performance details are lacking
- Endurance rating is the same as the Realme V3 despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits, a noticeable advantage over what we'd expect from the Realme V3's panel (though specific nits are unlisted). This translates to better visibility in outdoor conditions. The Nord N10 5G also features a 1447:1 contrast ratio, indicating deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. While both likely utilize LCD technology given the price bracket, the Nord N10 5G's specifications suggest a more refined visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that neither will feature flagship-level camera systems. The focus should be on practical, everyday photography. Without sensor size or aperture information, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner. The image processing style will likely be the differentiating factor, with OnePlus historically leaning towards more natural tones and Realme often boosting saturation.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme V3 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) while the Nord N10 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 690 generally offers better power efficiency than the 7nm Dimensity 720, potentially leading to longer battery life under similar workloads. Both CPUs feature a similar octa-core configuration with 2x high-performance cores (Cortex-A76 vs Kryo 560 Gold) and 6x efficiency cores, but the Snapdragon 690's Kryo cores are architecturally more advanced, potentially offering a slight edge in single-core performance. The Realme V3's Dimensity 720, however, may have a stronger GPU for gaming.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the unlisted mAh capacities. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Realme V3’s 18W charging. This means the Nord N10 5G can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime and offering greater convenience. A full charge on the Nord N10 5G will likely take around an hour, while the Realme V3 could require closer to two hours.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme V3 if you prioritize a potentially more efficient chipset for sustained tasks and are comfortable with slower 18W charging. This phone suits users who value long-term performance over immediate convenience. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value rapid charging and a brighter screen, making it ideal for users who are frequently on the go and need to quickly top up their battery or use their phone in bright sunlight.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 690 is a capable mid-range chipset, but it's not designed for ultra-high frame rates in the most demanding games. You'll likely be able to play PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with stable frame rates, but don't expect to max out the graphics. The Dimensity 720 in the Realme V3 may offer slightly better GPU performance, but both will require some graphical compromises.
❓ Is the 99-hour endurance rating accurate for real-world usage on the OnePlus Nord N10 5G?
Endurance ratings are based on a standardized test profile and your actual usage will vary. Heavy users who stream video, play games, or frequently use 5G will likely see significantly lower battery life. However, the 99-hour rating suggests that both phones offer solid battery life for moderate usage, and the Nord N10 5G's faster charging mitigates concerns about running out of power.
❓ How does the 8nm process of the Snapdragon 690 impact the Nord N10 5G's thermal performance during extended gaming sessions?
The 8nm process generally leads to better thermal efficiency compared to the 7nm process used in the Dimensity 720. This means the Snapdragon 690 is likely to generate less heat under load, resulting in less thermal throttling during prolonged gaming sessions. While neither phone is a dedicated gaming device, the Nord N10 5G should maintain more consistent performance over longer periods.
