The TCL Plex and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent distinct approaches to the budget 5G smartphone market. The Plex, leveraging the Snapdragon 675, aimed for a well-rounded experience, while the Nord N10 5G, with the newer Snapdragon 690, prioritized 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the most value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the TCL Plex’s Snapdragon 675, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the faster charging is a key advantage.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 | 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 (2CA) Cat6 400/75 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 | 2019, September. Released 2019, October | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.2 x 76.6 x 8 mm (6.39 x 3.02 x 0.31 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 | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 460 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM675 Snapdragon 675 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 612 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
16 MP, f/2.4, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm
2 MP, f/1.8 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 24 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.9µm | 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, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 | 18W wired, QC3, 50% in 32 min | 30W wired |
| Stand-by | Up to 396 h (3G) | - |
| Talk time | Up to 12 h (2G) / Up to 25 h (3G) | - |
| Type | Li-Ion 3820 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Opal White | Midnight Ice |
| Models | T780H | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 330 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 Plex
- Potentially lower price point
- Solid build quality (based on TCL's reputation)
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Older Snapdragon 675 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 5G chipset
- Significantly faster 30W charging
- Superior display brightness and contrast
- May be slightly more expensive
- Software updates may be less frequent than flagship OnePlus models
- Plastic build materials
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s display boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, providing a more vibrant and visible experience, especially outdoors. While the TCL Plex’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to offer lower brightness and contrast. The Nord N10’s larger screen size (6.49 inches vs. the Plex’s 6.53 inches) is a minor difference, but the superior contrast ratio is a tangible benefit for media consumption.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. However, the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G includes an improved image signal processor (ISP) compared to the 675, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. Without specific sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to definitively declare a camera winner, but the chipset advantage leans towards the Nord N10 5G. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility; focusing on the main sensor performance is more crucial.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm) represents a generational leap over the TCL Plex’s Snapdragon 675 (11nm). The 8nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and thermal performance, allowing the 690 to sustain higher clock speeds for longer. Both CPUs share a similar core configuration (2x2.0 GHz Kryo Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo Silver), but the newer Kryo 560 cores in the 690 offer architectural improvements. This results in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Nord N10 5G.
Battery Life
Interestingly, both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life despite the differing chipsets. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage, allowing a 0-100% charge in a much shorter timeframe than the TCL Plex’s 18W charging (50% in 32 minutes). This faster charging mitigates any potential battery life differences, making the Nord N10 5G more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL Plex if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with slightly slower performance and charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you want a smoother, more responsive experience, faster 5G connectivity, and significantly quicker charging – making it ideal for users who stream media, game casually, or frequently rely on mobile data.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G offer a noticeable performance improvement over the Snapdragon 675 in the TCL Plex for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 690 provides a tangible performance boost for gaming. The newer architecture and 8nm process allow for higher sustained clock speeds and improved GPU performance, resulting in smoother frame rates and reduced lag in demanding titles. While neither phone is a dedicated gaming device, the Nord N10 5G will offer a more enjoyable gaming experience.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between the 18W charging on the TCL Plex and the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord N10 5G?
The difference is substantial. The TCL Plex takes 32 minutes to reach 50% charge, implying a full charge would take well over an hour. The Nord N10 5G’s 30W charging can significantly reduce this time, potentially reaching a full charge in under an hour. This is a crucial advantage for users who need to quickly replenish their battery.
❓ Given both phones have a 99h endurance rating, does that mean their battery life is identical in real-world use?
Not necessarily. Endurance ratings are based on standardized tests. The Snapdragon 690's improved power efficiency *could* translate to slightly longer real-world battery life under certain usage scenarios, even with the same endurance rating. However, the difference is likely to be minimal, and the faster charging of the Nord N10 5G is a more impactful benefit.
