Umidigi A13 vs OnePlus Nord N20 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi A13 and OnePlus Nord N20 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take very different approaches to achieving this, with significant disparities in chipset choice and charging capabilities. This comparison will dissect these differences to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Umidigi A13’s Unisoc T610. The significantly faster 33W charging also dramatically improves usability, offsetting the identical 129-hour endurance ratings.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi A13 OnePlus Nord N20 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 bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands-2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced20222022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022Available. Released 2022, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168 x 75.7 x 8.7 mm (6.61 x 2.98 x 0.34 in)159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight200 g (7.05 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDAMOLED
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetUnisoc T610 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MP2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual20 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioWireless FM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired
Type5150 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsStarry Black, Sunglow Gold, Galaxy BlueBlue
Models-GN2200, CPH2459
Price-About 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 129h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9) GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Umidigi A13

  • Lowest possible price point for 5G connectivity
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • Acceptable battery endurance

  • Slow 10W charging
  • Unisoc T610 chipset offers limited performance
  • Likely lower quality display

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • Significantly faster 33W charging
  • Brighter and more usable display

  • Higher price than the Umidigi A13
  • May still exhibit some performance limitations with demanding games
  • Software support may be shorter than some competitors

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 647 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Umidigi A13. While both phones offer an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the higher peak brightness of the Nord N20 5G translates to better visibility outdoors and in brightly lit environments. The absence of refresh rate information for the Umidigi A13 suggests a standard 60Hz panel, while the Nord N20 5G likely offers a smoother experience, though this isn't explicitly stated. The Nord N20's display is the clear winner for visual clarity.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the Umidigi A13, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Nord N20 5G likely has a more refined camera system. Focusing on the main sensors is crucial; the presence of numerous low-resolution auxiliary cameras (often 2MP) adds little value. The Snapdragon 695’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) also benefits image processing, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance on the Nord N20 5G. We assume the Nord N20 5G has a more capable primary camera.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), featuring 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. This 6nm process node is significantly more efficient than the 12nm Unisoc T610 in the Umidigi A13, which has 2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Snapdragon 695’s architectural advantages and smaller node size will result in better sustained performance and reduced thermal throttling during demanding tasks. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 695 offers a tangible performance edge.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 129 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Umidigi A13 is limited to 10W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord N20 5G supports 33W wired charging. This means the Nord N20 5G can replenish its battery much faster, reducing downtime and offering a more convenient user experience. A full charge on the Umidigi A13 will take significantly longer, making the Nord N20 5G the clear winner in terms of charging convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi A13 if your primary need is a functional, ultra-budget 5G phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost above all else. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you value smoother performance for multitasking and gaming, faster charging speeds for convenience, and a brighter, more usable display, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Unisoc T610 in the Umidigi A13 powerful enough for casual gaming?
The Unisoc T610 can handle basic casual games, but it will struggle with more demanding titles. Expect lower frame rates and potential stuttering in games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile, even on lower settings. The Snapdragon 695 in the Nord N20 5G offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Umidigi A13 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, a full charge from 0% on the Umidigi A13 will likely take between 3 to 4 hours. This is significantly slower than the OnePlus Nord N20 5G, which can fully charge in around an hour with its 33W charger.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N20 5G support VoLTE and 5G on all carriers?
Compatibility with VoLTE and 5G varies by carrier. It's crucial to check the OnePlus support website or contact your carrier to confirm compatibility before purchasing the Nord N20 5G, especially if you're using a smaller or regional carrier.
❓ What kind of storage does the Umidigi A13 use, and is it expandable?
While specific storage details aren't provided, budget phones like the Umidigi A13 typically use eMMC storage, which is slower than the UFS storage found in the Nord N20 5G. Expandability via microSD card is likely, but the maximum supported capacity should be verified before purchase.