The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Z5x (2020) and OnePlus Nord N100 represent two distinct approaches to delivering value. The Z5x, released with the Snapdragon 712, aims for a balance of performance and features, while the Nord N100 leverages the newer, but lower-tier, Snapdragon 460 to hit an aggressive price point. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which phone offers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing responsiveness and smoother multitasking, the vivo Z5x (2020) is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 712 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the Nord N100’s Snapdragon 460, justifying a potential price premium. However, the Nord N100 remains a compelling option for those on a strict budget.
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 09. Released 2020, June 09 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.4 x 77.3 x 8.9 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.35 in) | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204.1 g (7.20 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 360 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver) | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM712 Snapdragon 712 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 616 | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 10, Funtouch 10 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, AF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | FM radio |
| 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 18W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Dark Blue | Midnight Frost |
| Models | - | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | About 160 EUR | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
vivo Z5x (2020)
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 712
- More responsive user experience
- Potentially better camera image processing
- May be slightly more expensive
- Likely similar display quality to the N100
OnePlus Nord N100
- Extremely affordable price point ($125 for 64GB/4GB)
- Relatively modern Snapdragon 460 chipset
- Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks
- Noticeably slower performance than the Z5x
- May struggle with demanding apps and games
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The focus here is on processing power, not pixel density. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are unavailable, the performance difference between the chipsets will be far more impactful to the user experience than minor display variations. Bezels are expected to be relatively substantial on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses (likely including a depth or macro sensor). The image processing capabilities of the Snapdragon 712 are likely superior to those of the 460, potentially leading to better dynamic range and noise reduction in photos. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) is highly probable on both devices at this price point. Users should temper expectations regarding low-light performance.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Z5x’s Snapdragon 712, built on a 10nm process, features a Kryo 360 architecture with two performance cores clocked at 2.3 GHz and six efficiency cores at 1.7 GHz. This contrasts with the OnePlus Nord N100’s Snapdragon 460 (11nm), which employs a Kryo 240 architecture with four cores at 1.8 GHz and four at 1.6 GHz. The 10nm process of the SD712 generally translates to better power efficiency and sustained performance under load. The SD712’s more powerful cores will result in faster app launch times, smoother scrolling, and a more responsive overall experience. While the SD460’s 11nm process is newer, the architectural differences and core clock speeds favor the 712 in real-world usage.
Battery Life
Both phones feature 18W wired charging, suggesting similar charging speeds. The actual battery capacity isn’t specified, but the Snapdragon 712’s better power efficiency in the vivo Z5x (2020) could translate to slightly longer battery life despite potentially having a similar capacity to the Nord N100. The 11nm process of the SD460 aims for efficiency, but the architectural differences and performance gap mean the Z5x will likely extract more usage from a single charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Z5x (2020) if you need a phone that can handle moderate gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps without significant slowdown. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prioritize absolute affordability and primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing. The N100 is ideal for first-time smartphone users or as a reliable backup device.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 460 in the OnePlus Nord N100 struggle with popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 460 is a budget chipset and will likely require significantly reduced graphics settings and frame rates to achieve playable performance in demanding games like PUBG Mobile. Expect noticeable lag and stuttering, especially in intense scenes. The vivo Z5x’s Snapdragon 712 will provide a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ Is the 64GB of storage on the OnePlus Nord N100 enough, and can it be expanded?
64GB is a limited amount of storage, especially considering the operating system and pre-installed apps. It will fill up quickly with photos, videos, and apps. The Nord N100 *does* support microSD card expansion, allowing you to add more storage as needed, which is a crucial feature given the base capacity.
❓ How much of a real-world performance difference will I notice between the Snapdragon 712 and 460 in everyday tasks?
The difference will be noticeable. The Snapdragon 712 in the vivo Z5x will feel snappier when opening apps, switching between tasks, and browsing the web. The Nord N100’s Snapdragon 460 may exhibit slight delays and occasional stuttering during these activities, particularly with multiple apps open simultaneously.
