TCL 10 5G UW vs OnePlus Nord N200 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

Both the TCL 10 5G UW and the OnePlus Nord N200 5G target the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. However, they approach this segment with different silicon and design philosophies. The TCL prioritizes a more powerful chipset, while the OnePlus focuses on delivering a streamlined experience at an aggressive price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the TCL 10 5G UW is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nord N200 5G’s Snapdragon 480, translating to smoother multitasking and gaming. While both offer 18W charging, the TCL’s stronger processor justifies its slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 10 5G UW OnePlus Nord N200 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 20, 28, 46, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 71, 38, 39, 40, 41
5G bands2, 5, 66, 260, 261 mmWave2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 25, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Canada
Launch
Announced2020, October 27. Released 2020, October 292021, June 21
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, June 25
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frame-
Dimensions163.6 x 76.5 x 9.4 mm (6.44 x 3.01 x 0.37 in)163.1 x 74.9 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight210 g (7.41 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 102.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10, 450 nits (typ)IPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.1
Triple48 MP, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.1
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFC-Yes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC318W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsDiamond GrayBlue Quantum
Models-DE2118, DE2117
PriceAbout 340 EURAbout 170 EUR

TCL 10 5G UW

  • More powerful Snapdragon 765G processor
  • Better thermal management for sustained performance
  • Superior ISP for improved image quality

  • Potentially higher price point
  • May not have a significantly better display

OnePlus Nord N200 5G

  • Aggressive pricing
  • Clean and streamlined software experience (typical of OnePlus)
  • Decent battery life due to efficient chipset

  • Less powerful Snapdragon 480 processor
  • Potential for throttling under heavy load
  • Inferior image processing capabilities

Display Comparison

Neither TCL nor OnePlus provide detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given the market positioning, both likely utilize LCD panels. The TCL 10 5G UW, being positioned slightly higher, may benefit from a marginally higher peak brightness. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price bracket.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 765G’s image signal processor (ISP) is significantly more capable than the 480’s. This allows the TCL 10 5G UW to capture more detail, handle low-light conditions better, and offer more advanced image processing features. The presence of a more powerful ISP is more impactful than megapixel counts, which are often inflated in this price range. We can assume both phones will include a standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but the TCL will likely produce superior images.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The TCL 10 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G (7nm) boasts a more sophisticated CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core, a 2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold core, and six 1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver cores. This contrasts with the OnePlus Nord N200 5G’s Snapdragon 480 (8nm) which features two 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores and six 1.8 GHz Kryo 460 cores. The 7nm process node of the 765G generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 8nm 480. This means the TCL is less likely to throttle under sustained load, making it the superior choice for gamers. The 765G also has a more powerful GPU.

Battery Life

Both devices feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds – approximately 1.5 to 2 hours for a full charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 765G’s improved power efficiency in the TCL 10 5G UW could offset a potentially smaller battery size, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 480 in the Nord N200 5G should also contribute to reasonable battery performance, but the TCL’s chipset advantage remains a factor.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 10 5G UW if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications, enjoy mobile gaming, and want a device that will remain responsive for longer. Buy the OnePlus Nord N200 5G if you prioritize a clean software experience, are on a very tight budget, and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light communication.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the OnePlus Nord N200 5G struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 480 is an entry-level 5G chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The TCL 10 5G UW’s Snapdragon 765G will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does the TCL 10 5G UW offer any advantages for users who frequently multitask between apps?
Absolutely. The Snapdragon 765G’s more powerful CPU and greater RAM bandwidth (though RAM speed isn't specified, it's likely higher) allow for smoother multitasking. You’ll experience fewer app reloads and a more responsive user interface when switching between applications compared to the Nord N200 5G.
❓ Is the 18W charging on both phones considered fast charging in 2024?
18W charging is relatively slow by 2024 standards. Many phones now offer 30W, 65W, or even faster charging speeds. Expect approximately 1.5-2 hours for a full charge on both devices. The charging speed isn't a major differentiator here.