Realme V5 5G vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The Realme V5 5G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive budget 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they achieve this through different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a slightly brighter display, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the better choice. While both phones offer 30W charging and similar battery endurance ratings, the Snapdragon 690 provides a more refined experience, especially in sustained tasks, despite the Realme V5 5G's potentially more efficient 7nm process.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme V5 5G OnePlus Nord N10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA
Launch
Announced2020, August 03. Released 2020, August 072020, October 26
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, November 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions162.1 x 75 x 9.1 mm (6.38 x 2.95 x 0.36 in)163 x 74.7 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight194 g (6.84 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 619L
OSAndroid 10, Realme UIAndroid 10, OxygenOS 10.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.1
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 100% in 65 min30W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, Silver, MintMidnight Ice
Models-BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028
PriceAbout 180 EURAbout 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 V5 5G

  • Potentially better thermal efficiency due to 7nm Dimensity 720.
  • Fast 30W charging with a claimed 65-minute full charge.
  • Competitive 5G connectivity.

  • Lack of detailed display specifications.
  • Uncertain camera performance without sensor details.

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

  • Brighter display (440 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
  • Snapdragon 690 offers a more refined performance experience.
  • OxygenOS provides a cleaner software experience.

  • 8nm Snapdragon 690 may run slightly warmer.
  • Battery capacity not specified.

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, particularly outdoors. While the Realme V5 5G’s display specifications are not provided, the Nord N10’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage for users who frequently consume content in bright environments. The contrast ratio also indicates deeper blacks and more impactful colors on the OnePlus device. Without further data on the Realme V5 5G’s panel type and calibration, the Nord N10 clearly leads in display quality.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given OnePlus’s history of prioritizing camera performance, even in their Nord series, it’s reasonable to assume the Nord N10 5G benefits from more refined image processing algorithms. The absence of details on the Realme V5 5G’s camera suggests it may be a more basic implementation, potentially relying more heavily on software enhancements. We can assume both phones will have a standard set of lenses, but the quality of those lenses and the software behind them will be the deciding factor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme V5 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). Although the Dimensity 720 is built on a smaller 7nm process – generally indicating better power efficiency – the Snapdragon 690’s Kryo 560 Gold cores offer a slight edge in single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launching and everyday tasks. Both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar core counts (2x2.0 GHz vs 2x2.0 GHz), but the Snapdragon 690’s architecture is optimized for sustained performance. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 690 may result in slightly higher temperatures under prolonged stress, but Qualcomm’s thermal management is generally effective.

Battery Life

Both the Realme V5 5G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G share an endurance rating of 99 hours and support 30W wired charging, with the Realme V5 5G claiming a full charge in 65 minutes. This suggests similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified for the Nord N10 5G). The 30W charging speed is a significant advantage over slower charging solutions, allowing for quick top-ups. The Realme V5 5G’s 7nm chipset *could* translate to slightly better battery efficiency, but the difference is likely minimal given the similar endurance ratings.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme V5 5G if you prioritize a potentially cooler running device due to its 7nm Dimensity 720 chipset and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value a brighter, more visible display in outdoor conditions, and a more established software ecosystem with OxygenOS, even if it means potentially slightly higher temperatures under heavy load.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While the Snapdragon 690 isn't a flagship chipset, it's capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but the experience should be playable. The Realme V5 5G's Dimensity 720 will offer similar performance, but the Snapdragon 690's optimized architecture may provide slightly more consistent frame rates.
❓ How does the 30W charging on both phones compare to slower charging standards?
30W charging is significantly faster than the 15W or 18W charging commonly found on budget smartphones. Both the Realme V5 5G (65 minutes to 100%) and OnePlus Nord N10 5G will allow you to quickly top up your battery, minimizing downtime. This is particularly useful for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on the Realme V5 5G a cause for concern?
Yes, the absence of sensor size, aperture, and other camera details suggests the Realme V5 5G may not prioritize camera performance as much as the OnePlus Nord N10 5G. While it will likely be capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions, it may struggle in low-light scenarios or when capturing fast-moving subjects.