The Xiaomi Poco M3 and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options in the crowded budget smartphone market. The Poco M3 prioritizes exceptional battery life and value, while the Nord N10 5G aims to deliver 5G connectivity and faster charging at a competitive price. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your priorities.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing longevity and value, the Xiaomi Poco M3 emerges as the winner. Its significantly superior battery endurance (154h vs 99h) and comparable performance for everyday tasks outweigh the Nord N10 5G’s faster charging and 5G capabilities.
| 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, 20, 28, 38, 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 / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 24 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, November 27 | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm (6.39 x 3.04 x 0.38 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 | 198 g (6.98 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | 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 SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, MIUI 12 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 - 64GB
UFS 2.2 - 128GB | 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
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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, with dual speakers | Yes, with dual speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
2.5W reverse wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Cool Blue, Poco Yellow, Power Black | Midnight Ice |
| Models | M2010J19CG, M2010J19CI | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | $ 130.00 / ₹ 11,590 | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.00 W/kg (body) | - |
| SAR EU | 0.60 W/kg (head) 0.81 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 154h |
Endurance rating 99h
|
| Camera |
Photo / Video |
Photo / Video |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 1567:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-26.5 LUFS (Good) |
-25.8 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 177904 (v8)
GeekBench: 1398 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 5.9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 279579 (v8)
GeekBench: 1848 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 13fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Xiaomi Poco M3
- Exceptional battery life (154h endurance)
- Excellent value for money
- Slightly higher contrast ratio for potentially better display quality
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- No 5G connectivity
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W wired charging
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Slightly more powerful processor for demanding tasks
- Significantly shorter battery life (99h endurance)
- Higher price point compared to the Poco M3
Display Comparison
Both phones feature displays with similar peak brightness, around 440 nits, suggesting comparable visibility in direct sunlight. However, the Poco M3 boasts a slightly higher contrast ratio of 1567:1 compared to the Nord N10 5G’s 1447:1, potentially resulting in deeper blacks and a more vibrant image. Neither manufacturer specifies panel technology, but at this price point, both likely utilize IPS LCDs. The real-world difference in display quality will likely be minimal for most users.
Camera Comparison
Both phones list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both rely on relatively basic camera setups. Focusing on the chipset, the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G has a slightly more capable ISP (Image Signal Processor) which *could* translate to better image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. However, software optimization plays a crucial role, and without sample images, it’s impossible to definitively declare a winner.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm) while the Poco M3 utilizes the Snapdragon 662 (11nm). The 8nm process of the 690 generally translates to better power efficiency and slightly improved performance. The Nord N10 5G’s CPU configuration (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) offers a slight edge over the Poco M3’s (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) in multi-core tasks. This difference will be noticeable in demanding applications and gaming, but both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly.
Battery Life
The Poco M3’s endurance rating of 154 hours is a standout feature, significantly exceeding the Nord N10 5G’s 99 hours. This difference is substantial and translates to a real-world advantage for the Poco M3, offering significantly longer usage between charges. While the Nord N10 5G compensates with 30W wired charging (compared to the Poco M3’s 18W), the larger battery capacity of the Poco M3 still provides a considerable advantage in overall runtime. The Nord N10 5G can quickly top up, but the Poco M3 requires charging less frequently.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 if you need a phone that will reliably last through a full day – and often two – of heavy use, and if maximizing value for your money is paramount. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize 5G connectivity for future-proofing, faster 30W charging, and are willing to trade some battery life for those features. Gamers who want a slightly more responsive experience may also lean towards the Nord N10 5G.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Poco M3's large battery significantly impact its weight and thickness?
Yes, the Poco M3 is noticeably heavier (198g) and thicker (9.6mm) than the Nord N10 5G (176g, 8.95mm). This is a direct consequence of its larger 6000mAh battery. Users prioritizing a lightweight and slim design may find the Poco M3 less appealing.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nord N10 5G actually useful for most users right now?
The availability of 5G networks is still limited in many areas. While the Nord N10 5G offers 5G support, the practical benefits may not be immediately apparent for all users. However, it does provide future-proofing for when 5G infrastructure becomes more widespread.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Poco M3 with its 18W charger?
While the Poco M3 supports 18W charging, the included charger is often a 10W unit. Using the 10W charger, a full charge will take approximately 3-4 hours. With a compatible 18W charger (sold separately), charging time is reduced to around 2-2.5 hours.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 690 can handle PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. The Poco M3 will likely require even lower settings for a comparable gaming experience.
