The ZTE Blade 20 5G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity without breaking the bank, but they achieve this with different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly brighter display, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the better choice. However, the ZTE Blade 20 5G’s more efficient Mediatek Dimensity 720 chipset offers a potential edge in sustained performance and thermal management, making it a strong contender for mobile gamers on a budget.
| 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, 5, 7, 8, 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 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 & TD-SCDMA | 2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, November 05. Released 2021, February 20 | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2020, November 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 165.9 x 75.8 x 8.9 mm (6.53 x 2.98 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~406 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.6% 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 (2x2.0 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 720 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6350 Snapdragon 690 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Adreno 619L |
| OS | Android 10, MiFavor 10.5 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | 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 | 16 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | Wired | 30W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4300 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Gray, Blue | Midnight Ice |
| Models | - | BE2029, BE2025, BE2026, BE2028 |
| Price | About 220 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 20 5G
- Potentially better thermal management due to 7nm process
- Mediatek Dimensity 720 offers competitive CPU performance
- Competitive endurance rating
- Slower charging speed (unspecified)
- Lack of detailed camera specifications
- Display specs are unknown
OnePlus Nord N10 5G
- 30W fast charging for quick top-ups
- Brighter display (440 nits)
- Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration
- Snapdragon 690 may throttle under sustained load
- Similar endurance rating to ZTE, but slower to fully charge from empty
- Camera details are lacking
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 440 nits and a 1447:1 contrast ratio. While the ZTE Blade 20 5G’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be in a similar range given its price point. The Nord N10’s higher brightness is advantageous for outdoor use, while the contrast ratio contributes to a more vibrant image. Neither phone is expected to feature high-end panel technology like LTPO, meaning refresh rate scaling will be less efficient. The absence of detailed display specs for the ZTE Blade 20 5G makes a definitive comparison difficult, but the Nord N10 has a clear advantage in measured brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a meaningful comparison is challenging. It’s reasonable to assume both phones will rely on software algorithms to enhance image quality. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Given OnePlus’s history, the Nord N10 likely benefits from more refined image processing, but this is speculative without concrete data.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the ZTE Blade 20 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 720 (7nm) and the OnePlus Nord N10 5G employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G (8nm). While both are octa-core CPUs with similar clock speeds (2.0 GHz for the primary cores), the 8nm process of the Snapdragon 690 generally translates to slightly better power efficiency. However, the Dimensity 720’s architecture – Cortex-A76 cores versus Kryo 560 Gold – may offer a performance edge in certain workloads. The Snapdragon 690 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and modem integration. The ZTE Blade 20 5G’s 7nm process could lead to better thermal management under sustained load, potentially preventing throttling during extended gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade 20 5G and OnePlus Nord N10 5G achieve an endurance rating of 99 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under typical usage. However, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s 30W wired charging significantly outperforms the ZTE Blade 20 5G’s unspecified charging speed. This means the Nord N10 can replenish its battery much faster, a crucial advantage for users who frequently need to top up their devices. While both offer similar overall endurance, the Nord N10’s charging speed provides a tangible convenience benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade 20 5G if you prioritize sustained performance during gaming or extended use, and value chipset efficiency over ultra-fast charging. Buy the OnePlus Nord N10 5G if you need quicker top-ups with its 30W charging and prefer a display with a higher peak brightness for outdoor visibility. Both are excellent choices for budget-conscious 5G adopters.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Dimensity 720 in the ZTE Blade 20 5G struggle with graphically demanding games?
The Dimensity 720 is a capable chipset, but it's not a flagship performer. While it can handle most popular games at medium settings, you may need to lower graphics settings for more demanding titles like Genshin Impact to maintain a smooth frame rate. The 7nm process should help mitigate throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the OnePlus Nord N10 5G from 0% to 100%?
With its 30W charging, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G can typically charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 55-65 minutes. This is a significant advantage over slower charging phones, allowing you to quickly replenish the battery when needed.
❓ Is the camera on either phone good enough for casual social media use?
Both phones should be adequate for casual social media photography in good lighting conditions. However, without detailed camera specs, it's difficult to assess low-light performance or image quality. Expect decent results for everyday snapshots, but don't expect flagship-level camera capabilities.
