OnePlus Nord N10 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M21s: A Detailed Comparison
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, built on an 8nm process, provides a noticeable performance edge over the Samsung’s 10nm Exynos 9611. Coupled with 30W charging, the N10 5G offers a more future-proof and convenient experience, despite both phones sharing a 99-hour endurance rating.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Samsung Galaxy M21s | 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, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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, November 06. Released 2020, November 06 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, One UI 2.5 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 15W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Midnight Ice |
| Models | SM-F415F, SM-F415F/DS | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.48 W/kg (head) 1.13 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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) |
Samsung Galaxy M21s
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- Potentially wider service availability
- Reliable performance for basic tasks
- Older Exynos 9611 chipset is less efficient
- Slower 15W charging
- Lacks 5G connectivity
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 processor
- 30W fast charging for quick top-ups
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- OnePlus software experience may not appeal to all
- Build quality may feel less premium than some Samsung devices
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, indicating a more vibrant and visible display in bright conditions compared to the M21s, for which display specs are not provided. While the M21s likely utilizes Samsung’s PLS LCD technology, the N10 5G’s contrast ratio suggests a superior viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate information for the M21s further highlights the N10 5G’s potential advantage, as higher refresh rates are becoming standard even in this price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the N10 5G’s image processing pipeline, typical of OnePlus, often prioritizes vibrant colors and detail, while Samsung’s processing tends towards a more natural look. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device is unknown, but its inclusion would significantly benefit low-light photography and video stabilization. The usefulness of a 2MP macro camera, often found in this price range, is questionable due to its limited resolution and image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm) is architecturally superior to the Samsung Galaxy M21s’ Exynos 9611 (10nm). The 8nm process allows for greater transistor density and improved thermal efficiency, meaning the Snapdragon 690 is less prone to throttling under sustained load. While both CPUs feature octa-core configurations, the Snapdragon 690’s Kryo 560 Gold cores (2x2.0 GHz) offer a performance boost over the Exynos 9611’s Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.3 GHz). The Exynos's higher clock speed on those cores doesn't necessarily translate to real-world gains due to architectural differences.
Battery Life
Both the Samsung Galaxy M21s and OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable battery life in typical usage scenarios. However, the N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the M21s’ 15W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. While the M21s may have a slightly larger battery capacity (unspecified), the N10 5G’s faster charging effectively mitigates any potential difference in overall usability.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy M21s if you prioritize a familiar Samsung user interface and a potentially wider availability of service support. It’s a solid, reliable device for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you want faster performance for gaming and multitasking, 5G connectivity for future network compatibility, and significantly quicker charging speeds – all at a competitive price point.