The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo Y51 (2020) and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity without breaking the bank. While both aim for affordability, they take different approaches to achieving it, particularly in chipset choice and charging speed. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Y51’s Snapdragon 665, and the 30W charging significantly reduces downtime. While both boast similar battery endurance ratings, the faster charging is a key advantage.
| 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, 40 | 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, December 03. Released 2020, December 07 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.3 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% 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 (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM665 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | 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, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06" 1.0µm | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 70% in 67 min | 30W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium Sapphire, Crystal Symphony | Midnight Ice |
| Models | V2030 | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 210 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 Y51 (2020, December)
- Potentially more conservative power consumption.
- Affordable price point.
- Decent battery endurance.
- Slower Snapdragon 665 chipset.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Likely inferior display quality.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 690 5G chipset.
- Significantly faster 30W charging.
- Superior display brightness and contrast.
- May experience slightly faster battery drain due to more powerful processor.
- Potentially higher price (depending on retailer).
- Software updates may be less frequent than some competitors.
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 vivo Y51’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to offer lower brightness and contrast, typical of its price bracket. The Nord N10’s larger screen size (6.49 inches vs. the Y51’s 6.51 inches) isn’t a significant difference, but the superior contrast ratio will be noticeable in everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are lacking. However, the market positioning suggests the Nord N10 likely benefits from more advanced image processing algorithms and potentially a larger main sensor. The Snapdragon 690’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is also more capable than the 665’s, leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the OnePlus is expected to deliver superior camera performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm) is a clear upgrade over the vivo Y51’s Snapdragon 665 (11nm). The 8nm process node allows for greater transistor density and improved power efficiency, translating to better sustained performance and less heat generation. The CPU configuration – 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver on the Nord N10 versus 4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver on the Y51 – further favors the OnePlus device, particularly in multi-threaded tasks. This means smoother multitasking and a more responsive experience with demanding apps.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is a game-changer. It can reach 70% charge in a significantly shorter time than the vivo Y51’s 18W charging, which also takes 67 minutes to reach 70%. This faster charging capability minimizes downtime and provides a more convenient user experience, especially for those who frequently use their phones throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y51 (2020, December) if you prioritize a slightly more conservative approach to power consumption and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks and light media consumption. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of 30W fast charging, making it ideal for users who are always on the go.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 690 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a significantly smoother experience than the Snapdragon 665 in the vivo Y51, especially during prolonged gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Nord N10 5G compared to the 18W charging on the Y51 in real-world use?
The 30W charging on the Nord N10 5G can take a phone from 0% to 50% in approximately 20-25 minutes, while the Y51’s 18W charging will take closer to 45-50 minutes for the same level of charge. This difference is substantial for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the camera on the OnePlus Nord N10 5G noticeably better for low-light photography?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is expected to perform better in low-light conditions due to the more advanced ISP within the Snapdragon 690 chipset and potentially a larger sensor. This results in less noise and more detail in nighttime photos.
