TCL 10 Pro vs OnePlus Nord 5: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The TCL 10 Pro, released in 2020, represented a strong value proposition in the mid-range. Now, the OnePlus Nord 5 enters the scene with significantly upgraded internals. This comparison dissects whether the Nord 5’s newer chipset and faster charging justify its higher price point, or if the 10 Pro remains a compelling option for budget-conscious users.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers a substantial performance leap over the TCL 10 Pro’s Snapdragon 675, and the 80W charging is a game-changer. While the 10 Pro offers a decent experience, the Nord 5 provides a future-proofed platform and significantly faster power-up times.

PHONES
Phone Names TCL 10 Pro OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - T799BHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - T799B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat13 400/75 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - T799H-
Launch
Announced2020, April 06. Released 2020, May 192025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions158.5 x 72.4 x 9.2 mm (6.24 x 2.85 x 0.36 in)163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
 Always-on-display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 612Adreno 735
OSAndroid 10, planned upgrade to Android 11, TCL UIAndroid 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 16 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Panorama
Single24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radio (market/region dependent)No
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, QC3, 50% in 35 min80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsGray, GreenPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsT799B, T799HCPH2709
PriceAbout 250 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

TCL 10 Pro

  • Lower price point
  • Potentially more compact design (based on market segment)
  • Acceptable performance for basic tasks

  • Outdated chipset
  • Slow charging speed
  • Inferior performance for demanding apps and games

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Significantly faster processor
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Excellent battery endurance
  • Brighter, higher-quality display

  • Higher price
  • Potentially larger size and weight
  • May require a new charger if your existing one doesn't support 80W

Display Comparison

The TCL 10 Pro’s display specifications are not provided, but given its release timeframe, it likely features an LCD panel. In contrast, the OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 1330 nits. This higher peak brightness translates to vastly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the TCL 10 Pro may offer adequate color reproduction for casual viewing, the Nord 5’s superior brightness and potentially higher color accuracy (based on OnePlus’s display history) provide a more immersive and enjoyable visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Camera details for the TCL 10 Pro are unavailable. The OnePlus Nord 5, while lacking specific sensor details in the provided data, likely features a more advanced camera system given its positioning. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is far superior to the one found in the Snapdragon 675, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. While megapixels aren’t everything, the newer chipset’s capabilities will result in noticeably improved photo and video quality on the Nord 5.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The TCL 10 Pro’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 (11nm) utilizes Kryo 460 cores, offering a respectable experience for its time. However, the OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is in a different league. The 8s Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, coupled with its more efficient 4nm process, delivers significantly faster processing speeds and improved power efficiency. This means smoother app launches, faster multitasking, and a more responsive overall user experience on the Nord 5. The Nord 5’s architecture also benefits from newer CPU core designs (Cortex-A720 and A520) compared to the 10 Pro’s older cores.

Battery Life

The TCL 10 Pro’s 18W charging is slow by today’s standards, taking approximately 35 minutes to reach 50% charge. The OnePlus Nord 5, however, is a charging champion with its 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. Furthermore, the Nord 5 supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, offering versatile charging options. The Nord 5’s battery endurance is rated at 49:12h, with an active use score of 13:47h, indicating excellent battery life. While the TCL 10 Pro’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nord 5’s combination of efficient chipset and fast charging provides a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the TCL 10 Pro if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are comfortable with a more basic user experience. It’s suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light media consumption. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand smooth multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, and value rapid charging – it’s the better choice for power users and those seeking longevity from their device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is built on a 4nm process, which offers improved thermal efficiency compared to the 11nm Snapdragon 675 in the TCL 10 Pro. While some heat generation is inevitable during intense gaming, the Nord 5 is designed with thermal management in mind, and should exhibit less throttling than the 10 Pro under sustained load.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 safe for the battery's long-term health?
OnePlus employs sophisticated charging algorithms and safety mechanisms to protect the battery during fast charging. The Nord 5 also supports PPS and PD charging standards, allowing for optimized charging profiles. While fast charging *can* theoretically contribute to slightly faster battery degradation over years of use, the convenience and speed benefits generally outweigh this concern for most users.
❓ Will the TCL 10 Pro still receive software updates?
Given the TCL 10 Pro's release date in 2020, it is unlikely to receive major Android version updates. Security patches may still be available, but support is likely limited. The OnePlus Nord 5, being a newer device, will receive a more extended period of software support.