Umidigi Power 5 vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Options

The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the Umidigi Power 5 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling choices. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take drastically different approaches to achieving that goal. The Umidigi prioritizes a long-lasting experience, while the Nord N10 focuses on delivering a smoother, more responsive user experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset and 30W charging significantly outperform the Umidigi Power 5’s Helio G25 and 10W charging. However, the Umidigi Power 5 remains a viable option for those on a very tight budget who prioritize battery longevity over raw performance.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Power 5 OnePlus Nord N10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 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, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA
Launch
Announced2021. Released 20212020, October 26
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2020, November 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.8 x 76.9 x 9.9 mm (6.49 x 3.03 x 0.39 in)163 x 74.7 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 102.9 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.5 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Helio G25 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619L
OSAndroid 11Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC
Internal64GB 3GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED 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
Triple16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF 8 MP, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro)-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.1
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass, thermometer (skin temperature)Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired30W wired
Type6150 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsCarbon Grey, Jade Green, Sapphire BlueMidnight Ice
Models-BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028
Price-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)

Umidigi Power 5

  • Potentially longer battery life due to efficient chipset.
  • Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
  • Reliable for basic tasks like calling and texting.

  • Significantly slower performance compared to the Nord N10.
  • Extremely slow 10W charging.
  • Likely a less vibrant and lower-resolution display.

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

  • Faster and more responsive performance thanks to the Snapdragon 690.
  • 30W fast charging significantly reduces charging times.
  • Better display quality with higher brightness and contrast.

  • Higher price point compared to the Umidigi Power 5.
  • May not offer significantly longer battery life despite similar endurance rating.
  • Potential for more heat generation under heavy load.

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, especially outdoors. While the Umidigi Power 5’s display specifications are not provided, its lower price point likely indicates a less advanced panel. The Nord N10’s higher contrast ratio will translate to deeper blacks and a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate data for the Umidigi suggests it likely operates at the standard 60Hz, while the Nord N10’s display is optimized for smoother scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for both. Given the price points, it’s reasonable to assume both will feature modest camera systems. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 690, offering better image processing capabilities. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Nord N10’s chipset provides a foundation for superior image quality. The Umidigi Power 5 will likely rely on software processing to compensate for a less capable ISP.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm) is a significant step up from the Umidigi Power 5’s MediaTek Helio G25 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 690 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning less throttling during sustained tasks. The Snapdragon 690’s Kryo 560 Gold cores (2x2.0 GHz) are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A53 cores (4x2.0 GHz) in the Helio G25, resulting in faster single-core performance. The Helio G25’s Cortex-A53 cores (4x1.5 GHz) are geared towards efficiency, but will struggle with demanding applications. This translates to a noticeably snappier experience on the Nord N10 for everyday tasks and gaming.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds are vastly different. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for a significantly faster 0-100% charge time compared to the Umidigi Power 5’s slow 10W charging. While the Umidigi may offer similar overall battery capacity, the convenience of quickly topping up the Nord N10’s battery is a major advantage. The faster charging also mitigates any potential battery drain from the more powerful chipset.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Power 5 if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day of moderate use and are comfortable with slower performance and charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, text, and make calls. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience for social media, light gaming, and streaming, and value the convenience of significantly faster 30W charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Helio G25 in the Umidigi Power 5 struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio G25, while adequate for basic tasks, is likely to exhibit noticeable lag when running multiple apps simultaneously. Its Cortex-A53 cores are less efficient at handling complex workloads compared to the Kryo 560 cores in the Snapdragon 690. Expect slowdowns when switching between apps or running demanding applications in the background.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Umidigi Power 5 with its 10W charger?
With a 10W charger, fully charging the Umidigi Power 5 will likely take over 3 hours, potentially closer to 4 hours depending on the battery's initial state. This is a significant drawback compared to the OnePlus Nord N10 5G's 30W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around an hour.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nord N10 5G truly useful, or is it just a marketing feature?
The usefulness of 5G depends on your location and carrier coverage. However, the Snapdragon 690 chipset in the Nord N10 5G supports both Sub-6 GHz and mmWave 5G, offering broader compatibility. If you live in an area with 5G coverage, you'll experience significantly faster download and upload speeds compared to 4G LTE.
❓ Can the OnePlus Nord N10 5G handle popular mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Nord N10 5G can run PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 690 is capable, but it's not a high-end gaming chipset. Expect medium settings to provide a balanced experience between visual fidelity and performance.