The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and vivo Y30g represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. However, beneath the similar price points lie significant differences in chipset architecture, charging capabilities, and overall performance. This comparison dissects these nuances to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing performance and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset, built on an 8nm process, offers superior efficiency and 5G capabilities compared to the vivo Y30g’s Helio P65. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the N10 5G’s 30W charging significantly reduces downtime.
| 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 | 2021, March 30 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, March 30 | 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 | 191.4 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6768 Helio P65 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MC2 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | - |
| 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, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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, Aqua Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | V2066BA | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 200 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 Y30g
- Lower initial cost
- Acceptable battery life
- Functional for basic tasks
- Less efficient Helio P65 chipset
- Slower 18W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 690 chipset
- Faster 30W charging
- Brighter and higher contrast display
- 5G connectivity
- Slightly higher price
- May require more frequent software updates
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G features a display capable of 440 nits of peak brightness and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, providing a noticeably more vibrant and readable experience, especially outdoors. While the Y30g’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to fall short of these figures given its lower price point. The N10 5G’s larger screen size (6.49 inches vs. the Y30g’s 6.47 inches) isn’t a major difference, but combined with the superior brightness and contrast, makes for a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but without specific sensor details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the N10 5G’s positioning as a slightly more premium device, it’s reasonable to assume it benefits from a more capable primary sensor and potentially better image processing algorithms. The Y30g likely relies on software enhancements to compensate for a potentially less sophisticated camera system. It's important to note that the inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on many phones in this price range often provides minimal real-world benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 (8nm) utilizes Kryo 560 cores, offering a significant architectural advantage over the vivo Y30g’s MediaTek Helio P65 (12nm). The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 690 translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling during sustained workloads. Both CPUs feature a similar core configuration (2x2.0 GHz + 6x1.7 GHz), but the Snapdragon’s architecture delivers superior single-core and multi-core performance. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive overall experience on the N10 5G.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Y30g and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. This allows for significantly faster replenishment, reducing downtime compared to the Y30g’s 18W charging. While both will likely last a full day for moderate users, the N10 5G offers the convenience of quickly topping up the battery when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y30g if you need a basic, functional smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and prioritize a lower initial cost. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prefer a smoother user experience, faster charging, and the benefits of a more modern and efficient 5G chipset, even if it means a slightly higher upfront investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Helio P65, which may struggle with consistent performance in graphically intensive games.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Nord N10 5G compared to the Y30g's 18W charging?
The 30W charging on the Nord N10 5G can typically charge the phone from 0% to 100% in around 75-90 minutes, while the Y30g’s 18W charging will likely take over 2 hours. This difference is substantial for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N10 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 690 supports carrier aggregation, allowing the Nord N10 5G to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable data speeds, provided your carrier supports it. The Helio P65's 5G capabilities are less advanced.
