The vivo Z5 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent distinct approaches to the mid-range smartphone market. The Z5, leveraging the Snapdragon 712, aims for a balance of performance and affordability, while the Nord N10 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity with the Snapdragon 690. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the most compelling user experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. While the vivo Z5 offers a respectable experience, the Nord N10’s Snapdragon 690 and 30W charging provide a noticeable edge in modern network usage and convenience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 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 | 2019, July. Released 2019, August | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.5 x 75.2 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.96 x 0.32 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 | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~404 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.38 inches, 99.9 cm2 (~83.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB 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, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 30W wired |
| Type | 4500 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aurora illusion, Bamboo Forest Night, Holographic illusion | Midnight Ice |
| Models | V1921A, V1921T, 1921 | 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 Z5
- Established Snapdragon 712 chipset offers reliable performance.
- Potentially lower price point compared to the Nord N10 5G.
- Solid battery endurance (99h rating).
- Slower 22.5W charging.
- Lacks 5G connectivity.
- Display specs are unknown, potentially inferior to Nord N10.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- 5G connectivity with Snapdragon 690.
- Faster 30W wired charging.
- Brighter display (440 nits) with a high contrast ratio (1447:1).
- Snapdragon 690 may not match the 712 in raw CPU power in some scenarios.
- Software experience may be less refined than vivo’s Funtouch OS.
- Camera details are limited.
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 vivo Z5, for which display specs are not provided. While the Z5 likely features a standard IPS LCD, the Nord N10’s higher brightness is particularly beneficial for outdoor visibility. The contrast ratio suggests deeper blacks and more impactful colors on the Nord N10. Without detailed specs on the Z5’s panel, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy, but OnePlus’s display calibration generally leans towards a more natural look.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. The absence of specific details necessitates a cautious approach. The Nord N10 5G likely benefits from newer image signal processing (ISP) capabilities inherent in the Snapdragon 690. Without knowing the main sensor resolution or aperture on either device, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on either device is unlikely to significantly impact overall image quality and should be considered a secondary feature.
Performance
Both devices utilize Qualcomm Snapdragon chipsets, but differ significantly in generation and architecture. The vivo Z5’s Snapdragon 712 (10nm) features Kryo 360 cores, while the Nord N10 5G’s Snapdragon 690 (8nm) utilizes Kryo 560 cores. The 8nm process node of the 690 generally translates to improved power efficiency. Although the 712 has slightly higher clocked 'Gold' cores (2.3GHz vs 2.0GHz), the architectural improvements in the 690, coupled with 5G modem integration, provide a more future-proof and responsive experience, especially in areas with 5G coverage. Both CPUs share a 6x1.7 GHz Kryo Silver cluster, suggesting similar multi-core performance in less demanding tasks.
Battery Life
Both the vivo Z5 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating comparable overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Nord N10 5G supports 30W wired charging, allowing for a much faster 0-100% charge compared to the Z5’s 22.5W charging. This faster charging is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The similar endurance ratings suggest that despite the faster charging, the Nord N10 doesn’t sacrifice battery capacity to achieve it.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5 if you need a reliable, all-around performer with a focus on established Qualcomm chipset architecture and are less concerned with 5G. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize 5G access, faster charging speeds, and a slightly brighter display, even if it means a potentially less refined software experience.
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. The 8nm process and improved architecture offer sufficient thermal headroom for sustained gaming sessions, though you may need to lower graphics settings for optimal frame rates. The Snapdragon 712 in the Z5 offers similar gaming performance, but the 690 benefits from better 5G integration for cloud gaming.
❓ How long does it actually take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G with the 30W Warp Charge 30T?
OnePlus claims a full charge from 0-100% takes approximately 58 minutes with the 30W Warp Charge 30T adapter. However, real-world charging times may vary slightly depending on ambient temperature and background app activity. This is significantly faster than the vivo Z5’s 22.5W charging, which will likely take over 90 minutes for a full charge.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nord N10 5G worth the extra cost if 5G isn't widely available in my area?
If 5G coverage is limited, the immediate benefit is reduced. However, the Snapdragon 690 also offers improved 4G LTE performance compared to the 712. Furthermore, purchasing a 5G-enabled phone future-proofs your investment as 5G networks expand. The Nord N10 5G also supports more 5G bands, increasing compatibility with future networks.
