The TCL 20L+ and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern feature set without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches to achieving this goal. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a slightly more responsive experience, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690, built on an 8nm process, offers a performance edge, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. However, the TCL 20L+ remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - EU/MEA/APAC | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - EU/MEA/APAC | 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps | 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 | 2021, April 14 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 14 | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 166.2 x 76.9 x 9.1 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.36 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, TCL UI | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 256GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, 28mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Milky Way Gray, North Star Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | T775H, T775B | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 270 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) |
TCL 20L+
- Potentially lower price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- 5G connectivity
- Slower Snapdragon 662 processor
- Slower 18W charging
- Limited camera details
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 5G processor
- 30W fast charging
- Brighter display (440 nits)
- Slightly higher price
- Battery endurance is similar to TCL 20L+
- May not have expandable storage
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 in bright conditions compared to the TCL 20L+. While the TCL 20L+’s display specifications are not provided, the Nord N10’s contrast ratio indicates a better viewing experience with deeper blacks. Both devices likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket, but the Nord N10’s brightness gives it an advantage for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the TCL 20L+. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s camera performance will depend heavily on its main sensor and image processing algorithms. Without knowing the TCL 20L+'s sensor size or aperture, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. It’s reasonable to assume the Nord N10 5G, given OnePlus’s history, will offer more refined image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The absence of details on the TCL 20L+’s camera suggests it may not be a primary selling point.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the TCL 20L+ uses the Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11nm), while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G features the SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The Snapdragon 690, fabricated on a smaller 8nm node, offers improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 11nm Snapdragon 662. This translates to potentially less throttling during sustained workloads. The CPU configuration also favors the Nord N10 5G with its 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores versus the 20L+'s 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold cores, suggesting better single-core performance. The 6 cores at 1.7GHz on the Nord N10 also provide a boost in multi-threaded tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G supports 30W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge time compared to the TCL 20L+'s 18W charging. This faster charging is a substantial convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery throughout the day. While the battery capacity isn't specified for either device, the faster charging of the Nord N10 5G mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 20L+ if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It's ideal for users who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of 30W fast charging, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the OnePlus Nord N10 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The 8nm process helps with thermal throttling, but it's not a flagship-level chipset.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the TCL 20L+ with its 18W charger?
Based on similar phones with 18W charging, expect a full 0-100% charge to take approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. This is considerably slower than the OnePlus Nord N10 5G's 30W charging.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on both phones compatible with all 5G networks?
Both phones support 5G, but compatibility depends on your carrier and region. Check with your carrier to ensure the specific 5G bands supported by these phones are compatible with their network.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N10 5G have a headphone jack?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome feature for users who prefer wired headphones.
