OnePlus Nord N10 5G

The base model with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at approximately QAR 899. However, prices may vary slightly across different retailers. Some stores offer the device at a discounted rate of around QAR 792, especially for opened but brand new condition units.

It’s worth noting that prices can fluctuate based on market conditions and availability.

Detailed Specifications

Release Date and Availability

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G was officially announced on October 26, 2020, and became available for purchase on November 21, 2020. This mid-range smartphone was part of OnePlus’s strategy to expand its product lineup and offer more affordable options to consumers.

In Qatar, the device became available shortly after its global release, providing local customers with access to 5G technology at a more accessible price point.

Design and Build Quality

The Nord N10 5G features a sleek and modern design that belies its affordable price tag. The phone boasts a plastic back and frame, which helps keep the weight down to a comfortable 190 grams. Despite not using premium materials like glass or metal, the device feels sturdy and well-built in hand. The front of the phone is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, offering decent protection against scratches and minor drops.

OnePlus has opted for a punch-hole design for the front camera, located in the top left corner of the display. This design choice maximizes screen real estate, resulting in an impressive 83.5% screen-to-body ratio. The back of the phone houses the quad-camera setup in a rectangular module, reminiscent of more premium devices.

One notable feature is the inclusion of a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, which some users might prefer over in-display sensors for its reliability and ease of use. The phone also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that’s becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones and will be appreciated by users who prefer wired audio solutions.

Display Technology

The Nord N10 5G comes equipped with a 6.49-inch IPS LCD display, offering vibrant colors and good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Full HD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels ensures crisp text and sharp images, with a pixel density of about 406 ppi. This level of detail makes the phone suitable for reading, watching videos, and playing games.

One of the standout features of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate compared to standard 60Hz displays results in smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, enhancing the overall user experience. It’s particularly noticeable when navigating through the user interface or playing games that support higher frame rates.

The display also supports HDR10, which enhances the contrast and color range of compatible content, making videos and images look more vivid and lifelike. While it may not match the deep blacks and infinite contrast of OLED displays, the IPS LCD used in the Nord N10 5G still offers good color accuracy and wide viewing angles.

Performance and Hardware

At the heart of the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 5G chipset. This octa-core processor is built on an 8nm process, offering a good balance between performance and energy efficiency. The CPU consists of two high-performance Kryo 560 Gold cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six power-efficient Kryo 560 Silver cores running at 1.7 GHz. This configuration allows the phone to handle everyday tasks with ease while also providing enough power for more demanding applications.

The Adreno 619L GPU takes care of graphics processing, delivering smooth performance in most mobile games, although it may struggle with the highest settings in the most graphically intensive titles. The combination of 6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.1 storage ensures smooth multitasking and ample space for apps, photos, and videos. For users who need more storage, the Nord N10 5G also supports expandable storage via a microSD card, a feature not always found in OnePlus devices.

One of the key selling points of this device is its 5G capability. The Snapdragon 690 5G chipset supports sub-6GHz 5G networks, allowing users to take advantage of faster data speeds where 5G infrastructure is available. This future-proofs the device to some extent, ensuring it can keep up with evolving network technologies.

Camera System

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G boasts a versatile quad-camera setup on the rear, catering to various photography needs. The main camera features a 64-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, capable of capturing detailed photos in good lighting conditions. This high-resolution sensor uses pixel binning technology to combine four pixels into one, resulting in 16-megapixel images with improved light sensitivity and reduced noise in low-light situations.

Accompanying the main camera is an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens with a 119-degree field of view, perfect for capturing landscapes or group shots. The ultra-wide camera allows users to fit more into the frame without having to step back, adding versatility to the photography experience.

For close-up shots, there’s a 2-megapixel macro camera that allows users to capture small subjects in detail. While the resolution is limited, it can produce interesting results when used in good lighting conditions. Rounding out the rear camera array is a 2-megapixel depth sensor, which assists in creating a more natural bokeh effect in portrait mode shots.

On the front, a 16-megapixel selfie camera handles self-portraits and video calls. This camera is housed in the punch-hole cutout and is capable of capturing detailed selfies and supports features like portrait mode for background blur effects.

The camera system is backed by OnePlus’s camera software, which includes features like Nightscape for better low-light photography, Portrait mode for both rear and front cameras, and Pro mode for manual control over camera settings. The main camera can also shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second, while the front camera is limited to 1080p at 30 fps.

Battery Life and Charging

Powering the OnePlus Nord N10 5G is a 4300mAh battery, which provides ample capacity for a full day of moderate to heavy use. The efficiency of the Snapdragon 690 chipset, combined with OnePlus’s software optimizations, helps in extending battery life. Most users should be able to get through a full day on a single charge, even with 5G usage.

When it comes to charging, the Nord N10 5G supports OnePlus’s Warp Charge 30T technology. This fast-charging solution can deliver up to 30W of power, allowing the phone to charge from 0 to 70% in just about 30 minutes. This quick charging capability is particularly useful for users who need to top up their phone quickly during short breaks.

It’s worth noting that while the phone supports fast wired charging, it does not feature wireless charging. This omission is common in mid-range devices and helps keep the cost down. The included charger in the box is compatible with Warp Charge 30T, so users can take full advantage of the fast charging capabilities right out of the box.

Software and User Experience

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G launched with OxygenOS 10.5, based on Android 10. OnePlus’s custom skin is known for its clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions and optimizations.

The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, with smooth animations enhanced by the 90Hz display.OxygenOS offers a range of customization options, allowing users to tailor the look and feel of their device. Features like Dark Mode, Reading Mode, and Zen Mode enhance the user experience and provide useful functionality. The phone also includes OnePlus’s signature Alert Slider, a physical switch that allows users to quickly toggle between ring, vibrate, and silent modes.

In terms of software updates, OnePlus initially promised one major Android update and two years of security patches for the Nord N10 5G. The device received an update to OxygenOS 11, based on Android 11, in July 2021. However, it’s important to note that OnePlus has stated that the phone will not receive an update to Android 12, which may be a consideration for users who prioritize long-term software support.

Connectivity and Additional Features

As its name suggests, 5G connectivity is a key feature of the OnePlus Nord N10 5G. The phone supports sub-6GHz 5G networks, offering faster data speeds and lower latency compared to 4G LTE. This makes the device future-proof and capable of taking advantage of expanding 5G infrastructure.

In addition to 5G, the phone supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to use two different phone numbers or network providers simultaneously. It also includes Wi-Fi 6 for fast and stable wireless connections, Bluetooth 5.1 for improved wireless audio and accessory connectivity, and NFC for contactless payments and quick pairing with compatible devices.

The Nord N10 5G retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. This allows users to connect wired headphones without the need for an adapter. For audio output, the phone features stereo speakers, providing a more immersive experience when watching videos or playing games.

Comparison with Other OnePlus Models

When compared to other OnePlus models, the Nord N10 5G positions itself as a mid-range option that brings 5G connectivity to a more affordable price point. It offers some features typically found in higher-end OnePlus devices, such as a high refresh rate display and fast charging, while making some compromises to keep the price down.

Compared to the original OnePlus Nord, the N10 5G has a slightly larger display but uses an IPS LCD panel instead of AMOLED. The Nord N10 5G also has a less powerful processor and lacks the in-display fingerprint sensor found in the original Nord. However, it does offer expandable storage, which is not available in many other OnePlus models.

The Nord N10 5G sits above the Nord N100 in OnePlus’s lineup, offering better performance, a higher resolution display, and 5G connectivity. However, it’s positioned below devices like the OnePlus 8 and 8T, which offer more premium build materials, more powerful processors, and additional features like in-display fingerprint sensors and higher refresh rate displays.

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In terms of camera capabilities, the N10 5G’s 64MP main sensor is on par with the N20 5G but falls short of the N30’s impressive 108MP camera. However, it outperforms the N20 SE’s 50MP main camera. The N10 5G’s 4300mAh battery with 30W fast charging is smaller than the 5000mAh batteries found in its successors, but it still provides adequate battery life for most users. All four models support 5G connectivity, except for the N20 SE, which is limited to 4G.

When it comes to design and build quality, the N10 5G features a plastic back and frame, similar to its successors. However, the newer models, particularly the N30 and N20 5G, offer more modern designs with sleeker camera modules and updated color options. The N10 5G retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature shared with the N30 and N20 SE but absent in the N20 5G.

Comparison with Market Competitors

In the mid-range 5G smartphone market, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G faces competition from devices like the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, and the Realme 8 5G. Each of these devices offers a unique set of features and trade-offs.

The Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, for instance, offers a higher refresh rate AMOLED display and water resistance, but typically comes at a higher price point. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro boasts a 108MP main camera and a larger battery, but lacks 5G connectivity in its base model. The Realme 8 5G offers similar 5G capabilities at a competitive price but may fall short in terms of camera performance compared to the Nord N10 5G.

In terms of performance, the Snapdragon 690 in the Nord N10 5G holds its own against competitors in this price range, offering a good balance of performance and efficiency. The 90Hz refresh rate display is also a standout feature, as not all devices in this price range offer high refresh rate screens.

OnePlus’s OxygenOS is an advantage, offering a clean and responsive user interface that many users prefer over heavier skins found on some competing devices. However, the limited software update promise for the Nord N10 5G may be a drawback for some users, especially when compared to devices from manufacturers that offer longer support periods.

Camera performance is an area where the Nord N10 5G competes well in its price range, offering a versatile quad-camera setup. While it may not match the absolute best in terms of image quality, it provides a good range of shooting options and generally produces pleasing results in most conditions.

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