The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo iQOO U1 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, particularly in chipset choice and charging speed, making a direct comparison crucial for informed buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the slightly better choice. Its 30W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the 99-hour endurance rating suggests efficient power management. While the iQOO U1 boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 720G, the Nord N10’s overall package offers a more convenient daily experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, July 16. Released 2020, July 23 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.1 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 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 |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 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 (~84.3% 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 (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, iQOO UI 1.0 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | 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, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide) | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White | Midnight Ice |
| Models | V2023A | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 150 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) |
vivo iQOO U1
- More powerful Snapdragon 720G processor
- Potentially better image processing capabilities
- Competitive price point
- Slower 18W charging
- Limited display information
- 5G modem details unknown
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W wired charging
- 99-hour endurance rating
- Integrated 5G modem with broader band support
- Less powerful Snapdragon 690 processor
- Display brightness may struggle in direct sunlight
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G features a display measured at 440 nits of peak brightness and a 1447:1 contrast ratio. While the iQOO U1’s display specifications are not provided, the Nord N10’s brightness is adequate for indoor use but may struggle in direct sunlight. The contrast ratio indicates good black levels, enhancing visual clarity. The absence of high refresh rate panels on either device suggests a focus on battery efficiency over a smoother visual experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without knowing sensor sizes or apertures, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the iQOO U1’s more powerful processor could potentially enable more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The absence of details regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests both phones rely on software stabilization, which may result in less stable videos in low-light conditions. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro lenses on either device is questionable, offering limited image quality improvements.
Performance
The iQOO U1’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm) offers a theoretical performance advantage over the Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm). The 720G’s Kryo 465 Gold cores clock at 2.3 GHz, compared to the 690’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading and smoother multitasking. However, the Snapdragon 690’s integrated 5G modem is a key advantage, providing broader 5G band support. The iQOO U1’s performance will be noticeable in graphically intensive games, but the real-world difference may be minimal for everyday tasks.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO U1 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the iQOO U1’s 18W charging. This faster charging speed will dramatically reduce the time spent tethered to a wall outlet, offering a more convenient user experience. A full charge on the Nord N10 will be considerably quicker, offsetting any potential minor differences in battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U1 if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or gaming, and are willing to accept slower charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value faster charging, longer battery life, and a more streamlined user experience, even if it means a slight compromise in peak CPU performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 690 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty at medium settings. Expect some frame drops during intense action, but the experience should be generally playable. The iQOO U1’s Snapdragon 720G will offer a smoother experience, but the difference won’t be massive.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G with the 30W Warp Charge?
OnePlus’s 30W Warp Charge technology can typically charge the Nord N10 5G from 0% to 100% in approximately 55-65 minutes, depending on usage during charging. This is significantly faster than the iQOO U1’s 18W charging, which will likely take over 2 hours for a full charge.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nord N10 5G compatible with all 5G carriers?
The Nord N10 5G supports a wide range of 5G bands, but compatibility varies by carrier and region. It’s crucial to check with your carrier to ensure the phone supports the specific 5G frequencies they use in your area. The iQOO U1’s 5G band support is less well-documented, making the Nord N10 a safer bet for broader compatibility.
