The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y30 (China) and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent two distinct approaches to delivering 5G connectivity at an accessible price point. While both aim for affordability, they diverge significantly in chipset choice and feature sets, making a direct comparison crucial for budget-conscious buyers.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 offers a substantial performance uplift over the Y30’s Snapdragon 460, translating to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience. The faster 30W charging also mitigates the impact of a similar battery capacity, making it the more practical daily driver.
| 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, October 22. Released 2020, October 26 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 76.3 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 3.00 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 | 192.3 g (6.77 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.6% 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 (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.5 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, 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 | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Obsidian Black, Dawn White, Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | V2034A | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 190 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 Y30 (China)
- Potentially lower price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Significantly weaker processor
- Slower charging speed
- Likely limited camera capabilities
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 processor
- 30W fast charging
- Better display contrast ratio
- Slightly higher price
- Battery life is similar to the Y30
- May not be available in all markets
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 vivo Y30, for which display specs are not provided. While the Y30 likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel common in this price bracket, the N10 5G’s higher contrast ratio indicates a more immersive viewing experience. The absence of refresh rate information for the Y30 suggests it’s likely capped at 60Hz, while the N10 5G’s display, though not high refresh rate, benefits from the improved contrast.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specs are limited. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 690, offering improved image processing and noise reduction. Without sensor size or aperture information for either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the N10 5G’s chipset generally supports more advanced camera features. The Y30’s camera is likely focused on basic image capture, while the N10 5G aims for a more versatile experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm) is a significant step up from the vivo Y30’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm). The 690 features Kryo 560 Gold and Silver cores, with a peak clock speed of 2.0 GHz, compared to the Y30’s Kryo 240 cores peaking at 1.8 GHz. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. The 8nm process node of the 690 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Y30’s 460 is adequate for basic tasks, but will struggle with demanding apps or multitasking.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified for the Y30). However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the vivo Y30’s 18W charging. This means the N10 5G can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. A full charge on the N10 5G will take considerably less time than on the Y30, making it more convenient for users who need quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y30 (China) if you prioritize absolute minimal cost and basic smartphone functionality, and your usage is limited to essential tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and the potential for light gaming or more demanding applications. The N10 5G is the better all-rounder for most users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 460 in the vivo Y30 (China) sufficient for playing PUBG Mobile?
While PUBG Mobile may be playable on the vivo Y30, expect significant compromises in graphics settings and frame rates. The Snapdragon 460 is a budget chipset and will likely struggle to maintain a stable 30fps even on low settings. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 offers a much smoother experience for mobile gaming.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G with the 30W charger?
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G can charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 55-65 minutes with the included 30W charger. This is significantly faster than the vivo Y30, which will likely take over 2 hours with its 18W charger.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N10 5G experience significant overheating during prolonged use?
The Snapdragon 690’s 8nm process helps mitigate overheating. While the N10 5G can get warm during extended gaming sessions, it’s unlikely to experience severe throttling. The vivo Y30’s Snapdragon 460, while less powerful, may also throttle under sustained load due to its less efficient 11nm process.
