The sub-$150 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. Both the ZTE Blade V20 and OnePlus Nord N100 aim to deliver essential smartphone functionality at an accessible price point. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Nord N100 leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon 460 chipset and the Blade V20 opting for a generic octa-core processor. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing a smoother, more refined software experience and a known chipset, the OnePlus Nord N100 is the better choice. While the ZTE Blade V20 offers a comparable CPU clock speed, the Snapdragon 460's architecture and optimization provide a more consistent and reliable performance profile, justifying its slightly higher price.
| 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 | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 400/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71 - USA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2020, October 26 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2020, November 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 164.9 x 75.1 x 8.5 mm (6.49 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~282 ppi density) | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.1 inches, 91.3 cm2 | 6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core 2.0 GHz | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) |
| Chipset | - | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 610 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), MiFavor 9.0 | Android 10, OxygenOS 10.5.9 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, PDAF
8 MP, (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 8 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | - |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | FM radio |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac, 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 | 18W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Midnight Frost |
| Models | V1050 | BE2013, BE2015, BE2011, BE2012 |
| Price | - | About 80 EUR |
| Pricing |
|---|
| 64GB 4GB RAM | - | $ 125.00 |
| RENEWED | - | $ 129.00 |
ZTE Blade V20
- Potentially lower price point
- Octa-core processor offers decent processing power for basic tasks
- 18W fast charging
- Generic processor lacks architectural optimizations
- Likely less refined software experience
- Limited information available on display and camera quality
OnePlus Nord N100
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 460 offers better performance and efficiency
- More reliable software experience from OnePlus
- Known chipset with established driver support
- Slightly higher price compared to the ZTE Blade V20
- Basic camera system
- Limited display specifications
Display Comparison
Neither ZTE nor OnePlus provide display specifications beyond the basic existence of a screen. Given the price point, we can assume both utilize LCD panels. The lack of information makes a direct comparison impossible, but it's reasonable to expect both displays to prioritize size over resolution or color accuracy. Bezels are likely to be substantial on both devices, contributing to a less immersive viewing experience. Without specific nit brightness data, it's difficult to assess outdoor visibility.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are sparse for both devices. Without sensor size or aperture information, a meaningful comparison is challenging. It’s safe to assume both phones feature basic camera setups geared towards casual photography. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests image quality will suffer in low-light conditions. The OnePlus Nord N100, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 460, likely offers slightly better image processing capabilities and potentially more accurate color reproduction than the ZTE Blade V20.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord N100's Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) represents a significant architectural advantage over the ZTE Blade V20’s octa-core 2.0 GHz processor. The Snapdragon 460’s Kryo 240 cores, split into 1.8 GHz and 1.6 GHz clusters, offer a more efficient and balanced performance profile. The 11nm process node further contributes to improved power efficiency and thermal management compared to a likely larger node process used in the Blade V20. This translates to smoother multitasking and a more responsive user experience on the Nord N100, particularly with graphically demanding applications. The Blade V20's raw clock speed is higher, but lacks the architectural optimizations of the Snapdragon.
Battery Life
Both the ZTE Blade V20 and OnePlus Nord N100 support 18W wired charging. While the wattage is identical, the Snapdragon 460’s power efficiency in the Nord N100 could translate to slightly longer battery life during typical usage. Without knowing the battery capacity of the Blade V20, it’s difficult to estimate 0-100% charging times. However, given the similar charging wattage, we can expect both devices to take approximately 2-3 hours for a full charge.
Buying Guide
Buy the ZTE Blade V20 if you need a basic smartphone for essential tasks like calling, texting, and light social media browsing, and are comfortable with a potentially less polished software experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord N100 if you prefer a more responsive user interface, better app compatibility, and the assurance of Qualcomm's Snapdragon chipset, even if it means spending a little more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 460 in the OnePlus Nord N100 powerful enough for casual gaming?
The Snapdragon 460 is capable of handling less demanding mobile games at medium settings. While it won't deliver a flagship gaming experience, it provides a playable experience for titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty Mobile, albeit with potential frame rate drops during intense scenes.
❓ Does the ZTE Blade V20 support software updates and security patches?
ZTE's update track record is inconsistent. It's unlikely the Blade V20 will receive frequent or long-term software updates, potentially leaving it vulnerable to security threats over time. The OnePlus Nord N100, while not guaranteed extensive updates, generally receives more timely security patches than ZTE devices.
❓ What type of storage does the OnePlus Nord N100 use, and is it expandable?
The OnePlus Nord N100 comes with 64GB of UFS 2.1 storage, which is adequate for basic usage. Importantly, it also features a microSD card slot, allowing you to expand storage up to 512GB, providing flexibility for storing photos, videos, and apps.
