The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The ZTE Blade 10 Prime offers a familiar, reliable experience, while the OnePlus Nord N10 5G aims to disrupt with 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on where each excels and who will benefit most from their respective strengths.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 690 chipset delivers significantly improved performance and 5G capabilities, while the 30W charging is a substantial upgrade. However, the ZTE Blade 10 Prime remains a viable option for those prioritizing a proven track record and potentially lower cost.
| 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 | 2, 4, 5, 12, 13, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps | 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 | 2019, November. Released 2019, November | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 158 x 75.2 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 2.96 x 0.31 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 | 165 g (5.82 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2280 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.3 inches, 99.1 cm2 (~83.4% 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-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 560 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 560 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie) | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/1.8, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 |
| Video | 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 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 | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired, PD2.0 | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 3200 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black | Midnight Ice |
| Models | Z6530, Z6530M, Z6530V | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 160 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 Blade 10 Prime
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable MediaTek Helio P60 platform
- PD2.0 charging support
- Lacks 5G connectivity
- Older chipset architecture
- Slower charging speed (18W)
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Faster Snapdragon 690 processor
- 30W fast charging with PD2.0
- Potentially higher price
- May require more frequent software updates
- Display brightness could be better
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 bright conditions compared to the ZTE Blade 10 Prime, whose display specifications are not provided. While the Blade 10 Prime likely offers a serviceable viewing experience, the N10 5G’s higher contrast ratio will result in deeper blacks and a more immersive visual experience. The absence of refresh rate data for the Blade 10 Prime suggests it likely operates at the standard 60Hz, while the N10 5G’s display is optimized for smoother scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. However, the Snapdragon 690’s image signal processor (ISP) in the N10 5G is more advanced, enabling better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. Without specific sensor sizes or aperture details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the N10 5G’s chipset provides a stronger foundation for overall camera performance. The Blade 10 Prime likely relies on software optimizations to compensate for a potentially less capable ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus Nord N10 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm) versus the ZTE Blade 10 Prime’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The Snapdragon 690, built on a smaller 8nm process, offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, translating to sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Snapdragon 690’s Kryo 560 Gold cores (2x2.0 GHz) are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A73 cores (4x2.0 GHz) in the Helio P60, resulting in faster single-core performance. The N10 5G also benefits from 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the Blade 10 Prime.
Battery Life
Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging with PD2.0 support significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade 10 Prime’s 18W charging. This means the N10 5G can replenish its battery much faster, minimizing downtime. While both may last a full day on a single charge, the N10 5G offers a more convenient charging experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade 10 Prime if you need a dependable, affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and aren't concerned with 5G or demanding gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you prioritize faster performance, 5G connectivity for future-proofing, and quicker charging times, even if it means spending slightly more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G powerful enough for modern mobile games?
The Snapdragon 690 is capable of running most popular mobile games at medium to high settings. While it won't match the performance of flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth gaming experience for titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile. However, demanding games may require some graphical settings adjustments.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade 10 Prime support VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling?
Support for VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and Wi-Fi calling varies by carrier. It's crucial to check with your mobile provider to confirm compatibility before purchasing the ZTE Blade 10 Prime, as these features are essential for reliable call quality in areas with limited cellular coverage.
❓ How does the 5G connectivity on the Nord N10 5G impact battery life?
Using 5G generally consumes more battery than 4G LTE. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 4300mAh battery and power-efficient Snapdragon 690 chipset mitigate this impact. Users can also switch to 4G when 5G isn't necessary to conserve battery life.
