Poco M3 Pro vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G emerges as the slightly better choice. While the Poco M3 Pro offers a competitive chipset, the Nord N10 5G’s 30W charging and measured 440 nits brightness provide a more polished daily experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 66 | 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 | 2021, May 19 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.8 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm (6.37 x 2.96 x 0.35 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ), 500 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 11, MIUI 12 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone 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, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.1 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Poco Yellow, Power Black, Cool Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | - | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | - | 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) |
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro
- Potentially more efficient 7nm Dimensity 700 chipset
- Higher CPU clock speeds (2.2 GHz Cortex-A76)
- Competitive 5G connectivity
- Slower 18W charging
- Missing display specifications (brightness, contrast)
- Limited camera information
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Brighter display with 440 nits peak brightness and 1447:1 contrast
- More established brand and software ecosystem
- Older 8nm Snapdragon 690 chipset
- Lower CPU clock speeds (2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold)
- Reliance on software stabilization for video
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 in outdoor conditions compared to the Poco M3 Pro, for which display specs are not provided. The contrast ratio indicates deeper blacks and more defined visuals on the Nord N10 5G. Without comparable data for the Poco M3 Pro, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles, but the Nord N10 5G sets a clear benchmark for display quality in this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. The absence of information regarding optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The usefulness of any included macro cameras (often 2MP) is questionable, as image quality is typically low. The overall camera experience will likely hinge on software algorithms and user preferences.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Poco M3 Pro utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7nm) while the Nord N10 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). The 8nm process of the Snapdragon 690 generally translates to better power efficiency, potentially leading to longer battery life under sustained loads. However, the Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a higher peak CPU frequency than the Snapdragon 690’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold cores, suggesting a potential edge in single-core performance. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and thermal management.
Battery Life
Both the Poco M3 Pro and OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating similar 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 time compared to the Poco M3 Pro’s 18W charging. This faster charging capability is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro if you prioritize a potentially more efficient chipset in the Mediatek Dimensity 700 and are comfortable with slower 18W charging. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you value faster 30W charging, a brighter display with a 1447:1 contrast ratio, and a more established software experience, even if it means a slightly older chipset.