vivo Y31s vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is heating up, and the vivo Y31s and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price, they take different approaches. The Y31s focuses on a newer chipset, while the Nord N10 5G leverages a slightly more powerful processor and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset provides a noticeable performance edge over the Y31s’ Snapdragon 480, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While the Y31s benefits from a newer chip architecture, the Nord N10 5G’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y31s OnePlus Nord N10 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA
Launch
Announced2021, January 122020, October 26
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 15Available. Released 2020, November 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame
Dimensions164.2 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in)163 x 74.7 x 9 mm (6.42 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight185.5 g (6.56 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619L
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 10.5Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED 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
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.1
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired30W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4300 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, Gray, AuroraMidnight Ice
ModelsV2054A, V2068ABE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 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 Y31s

  • Newer Snapdragon 480 5G chipset architecture
  • Potential for future software optimizations
  • Competitive price point

  • Lower overall performance compared to Snapdragon 690
  • Slower 18W charging
  • Limited display information

OnePlus Nord N10 5G

  • More powerful Snapdragon 690 5G chipset
  • Faster 30W wired charging
  • Higher display brightness

  • Older chipset generation
  • May receive fewer software updates long-term
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio, offering a more visually vibrant experience than the Y31s, for which display specs are not provided. While the Y31s likely utilizes an IPS LCD panel common in this price bracket, the Nord N10 5G’s higher brightness is crucial for outdoor visibility. The lack of detailed display information for the Y31s suggests it doesn’t offer any standout features in this area.

Camera Comparison

Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, OnePlus generally prioritizes camera performance in its Nord series, suggesting the N10 5G likely offers better image quality and more sophisticated image processing. The Y31s, positioned as a more budget-focused device, likely employs a simpler camera system. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is largely inconsequential, offering minimal benefit in real-world shooting scenarios.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the vivo Y31s features the Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm), while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G uses the SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The Snapdragon 690, with its Kryo 560 Gold and Silver cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and 1.7 GHz respectively, offers a performance advantage over the Y31s’ 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 and 1.8 GHz Kryo 460 configuration. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive experience, particularly in demanding applications. Both utilize an 8nm process, but the 690’s architecture is more refined. The Y31s’ newer chipset *could* benefit from future software optimizations, but currently, the 690 holds the performance lead.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Y31s’ 18W charging. This means the N10 5G can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. While both offer all-day battery life, the N10 5G’s faster charging provides a more convenient user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y31s if you prioritize a phone with the latest Qualcomm chipset architecture and are willing to trade some performance for potential future software optimizations. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value immediate performance gains, faster charging speeds, and a proven track record of software support, even if it means using a slightly older processor generation.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the vivo Y31s struggle with graphically intensive games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 480 is an entry-level 5G chipset. While it can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G offers a more comfortable gaming experience with higher settings.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G with the 30W charger?
OnePlus claims the Nord N10 5G can charge from 0-100% in approximately 58 minutes with the included 30W Warp Charge 30T charger. Real-world results may vary slightly depending on usage during charging.
❓ 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.
❓ Is the software experience significantly different between vivo's Funtouch OS and OnePlus' OxygenOS?
Yes. OxygenOS is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with useful customizations. Funtouch OS, while improved in recent versions, is generally more heavily customized and includes more pre-installed apps. Preference is subjective, but OxygenOS is often favored by users who prefer a minimalist approach.