Xiaomi Mi Note 10 vs OnePlus Nord 5: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Xiaomi Mi Note 10, a veteran known for its impressive battery life, now faces a challenge from the newer OnePlus Nord 5, boasting a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and blazing-fast 80W charging. This comparison dissects these two devices to determine which offers the best balance of features and performance for today's user.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw speed and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers a substantial performance leap over the Mi Note 10’s Snapdragon 730G, coupled with significantly faster charging. However, the Mi Note 10 remains a compelling option for those prioritizing exceptional battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Mi Note 10 OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 401, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat15 800/150 MbpsHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2019, November 06. Released 2019, November 112025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions157.8 x 74.2 x 9.7 mm (6.21 x 2.92 x 0.38 in)163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight208 g (7.34 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~398 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.47 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~87.8% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10, 600 nits (typ)Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
 Always-on display-
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 735
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, MIUI 12Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.0-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLaser AF, Quad-LED dual-tone flash, HDRLED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama
Five108 MP (7P lens), f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.0, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3.7x optical zoom, 5x hybrid zoom 20 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.8", 1.0µm 2 MP (macro)-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 720p@960fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared portYesYes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, PD, 58% in 30 min, 100% in 65 min80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 5260 mAh, non-removableMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsAurora Green, Glacier White, Midnight BlackPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsM1910F4GCPH2709
PriceAbout 380 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.11 W/kg (head)     1.39 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.3dB / Crosstalk -89.7dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 95h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.6 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 213566 (v7), 256717 (v8) GeekBench: 6737 (v4.4) GFXBench: 15fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

Xiaomi Mi Note 10

  • Exceptional battery endurance (95h)
  • Potentially refined camera image processing
  • More affordable price point (likely)

  • Outdated Snapdragon 730G chipset
  • Slower charging speed (30W)
  • Lower peak display brightness

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
  • Blazing-fast 80W charging
  • High peak display brightness (1330 nits)

  • Shorter battery endurance (49:12h)
  • Potentially higher price
  • Camera details are lacking

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 immediately distinguishes itself with a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Mi Note 10, which only specifies an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio. While the Mi Note 10’s contrast ratio suggests deep blacks, the Nord 5’s higher brightness provides a more practical advantage for outdoor use. Details regarding panel technology (LTPO, refresh rate) are missing for both, but the Nord 5’s brightness is a clear win.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. However, given the Mi Note 10’s historical focus on camera technology, it likely features a more refined image processing pipeline. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. The absence of details on the Nord 5’s camera suggests it may be more focused on overall performance than photographic prowess. We can assume the Nord 5 benefits from the newer ISP within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, potentially improving image quality in challenging conditions.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant architectural upgrade over the Xiaomi Mi Note 10’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 8s Gen 3’s Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside its A720 and A520 cores, provides a substantial performance boost in both CPU and GPU-intensive tasks. The 4nm process also translates to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Mi Note 10’s Kryo 470 cores, while capable, are simply outmatched by the newer architecture.

Battery Life

The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 boasts an impressive 95-hour endurance rating, a testament to its efficient chipset and likely larger battery capacity (though not specified). However, the OnePlus Nord 5 counters with a remarkably fast 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes, significantly faster than the Mi Note 10’s 65-minute charge time. The Nord 5 also includes 33W PPS and 18W PD charging options, alongside 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, offering greater versatility. While the Mi Note 10 excels in longevity, the Nord 5 prioritizes convenience with its rapid charging capabilities and additional features.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 if you need a phone that can reliably last through two full days of moderate use and value long-term battery health. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast charging and modern features like bypass charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5's Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3's 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency compared to older chipsets. While some heat generation is inevitable during intense gaming, the Nord 5 should manage temperatures effectively, minimizing throttling and maintaining consistent performance. However, sustained high-intensity tasks will still generate heat.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 affect long-term battery health?
OnePlus implements charging algorithms designed to mitigate the impact of fast charging on battery health. Features like bypass charging, which allows direct power delivery without using the battery when plugged in, further contribute to longevity. While all batteries degrade over time, the Nord 5’s charging system aims to minimize this effect.
❓ Is the Mi Note 10 still a good option in 2024, considering its older chipset?
The Mi Note 10 remains a viable option for users prioritizing battery life and a lower price point. However, its Snapdragon 730G will struggle with demanding tasks compared to newer chipsets. If you primarily use your phone for basic communication, browsing, and light media consumption, the Mi Note 10 can still provide a satisfactory experience.
❓ What is 'bypass charging' on the OnePlus Nord 5 and why is it useful?
Bypass charging allows the OnePlus Nord 5 to power itself directly from the charger when plugged in, bypassing the battery entirely. This reduces heat buildup and strain on the battery, extending its lifespan. It's particularly useful for extended gaming or video streaming sessions while charging.