ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G vs OnePlus Nord N10 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and future-proofing, the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G, despite the OnePlus phone’s faster 30W charging.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G | OnePlus Nord N10 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 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, 28, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 28, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1024/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 01. Released 2020, June 22 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.7 x 76.3 x 8.8 mm (6.41 x 3.00 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 | 184 g (6.49 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | 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 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.49 inches, 101.7 cm2 (~83.5% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57MP4 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10.1 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, 50% in 30 min | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Aurora Glamour, Aurora Glacier | Midnight Ice |
| Models | - | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 250 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) |
ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G
- More powerful Dimensity 800 chipset
- Potentially better thermal management
- Superior CPU architecture for multitasking
- Slower 18W charging
- Limited display specifications available
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- Faster 30W wired charging
- Brighter display (440 nits)
- Higher contrast ratio (1447:1)
- Less powerful Snapdragon 690 chipset
- Potentially more thermal throttling
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio. While respectable, this doesn't reveal the full picture. The ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, but given ZTE’s history, it likely prioritizes color accuracy. The Nord N10’s brightness is adequate for outdoor visibility, but the lack of information on the Axon 11 SE’s panel technology makes a direct comparison difficult. Users who spend significant time outdoors will likely benefit from the Nord N10’s confirmed brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a definitive camera comparison is impossible. However, the market segment suggests both will rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The absence of details suggests neither phone will be a standout performer in low-light conditions. Focusing on the chipset, the Dimensity 800 typically offers more robust ISP (Image Signal Processor) capabilities, potentially leading to better image processing and video encoding on the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm), featuring a more powerful CPU configuration – four Cortex-A76 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz alongside four Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm) with a Kryo 560 Gold/Silver configuration. The 7nm process node of the Dimensity 800 generally translates to better power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 8nm Snapdragon 690. This means the Axon 11 SE is likely to sustain peak performance for longer periods, particularly during gaming or intensive multitasking. The Dimensity 800’s CPU architecture also provides a clear advantage in multi-core tasks.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing charging speeds. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging is significantly faster than the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G’s 18W charging, allowing for a 50% charge in approximately 30 minutes. This is a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups. However, the Dimensity 800’s superior power efficiency may partially offset the slower charging speed, resulting in comparable daily usage.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Axon 11 SE 5G if you need a phone capable of handling demanding applications and light gaming with more headroom, and you value a more powerful processor. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize faster charging speeds and a slightly brighter display, and your usage primarily revolves around social media, streaming, and basic productivity tasks.