OnePlus Nord N10 5G review shows how this phone sets the bar high for mid-range models. Explore all its features. Find out if it’s worth the price.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G smartphone was released in November 2020. When thinking about a 5G capable phone, many would expect to spend a lot of money for one. Fortunately, with this device, that is not the case.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G is a mid-range phone with almost flagship quality. New owners will enjoy a shiny design, big and sharp display with a dimension of 6.5-inch.
It’s a phone sporting speedy performance, whether you use it for casual tasks or heavier ones. The processor is a 2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 690. You will also get 6GB RAM.
In this OnePlus Nord N10 5G review, we’ll dig more into what the phone offers. Our first impression tells us, this phone may exceed our expectations. OnePlus is known as a brand that rarely disappoints.
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Key Specs
OnePlus Nord N10 5G specifications:
- Weight: 190g
- Dimensions: 163 x 74.7 x 8.95mm
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 6.5-inch
- Resolution: 2400 x 1080
- CPU: 2GHz Octa-core, Qualcomm Snapdragon 690
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery: 4,300mAh, Non-removable
- Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
- Front camera: 16MP
Design
If we’re just talking about the size, this phone employs a 163 x 74.7 x 8.95mm body weighing 190g. It’s pretty big and heavy. Nonetheless, it’s quite average when compared to other phones today. Such a form factor is neither a rarity nor stands out.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G is more distinguishable by its design. OnePlus phones are always eye candy, including this one. Although not opting for a curved design, but rather a flat one, this phone’s design appeals come from its almost non-existent edges.
It makes the phone look futuristic and premium. You will be left with a slightly thicker bottom chin so you can hold the phone better. For the front camera, OnePlus Nord N10 5G utilizes a punch-hole design instead of a notch. The front camera is disguised well with the icons on the notification bar. It is almost unrecognizable.
The color choice on OnePlus Nord N10 5G comes in glossy black, dubbed as “Midnight ice.” The back of the phone packs a fingerprint sensor, the quad-camera, and the OnePlus logo.
On our hands, the phone still feels sturdy and well-balanced despite its size. This phone has a great build quality and is designed to be durable.
Read also: OnePlus Nord N10 5G User Manual
Display
OnePlus Nord N10 5G features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. Although no AMOLED display, the LCD screen still boasts a Full HD resolution presenting accurate colors and sharp contrasts.
We like both the size and the quality. The 20:9 ratio results in a slender phone that is easy to navigate with one hand. The 83.51 % makes sure no space is wasted around the edges. Meanwhile, the 406 PPI pixel density ensures no colors are misinterpreted and no stray pixels occurred.
Browsing the phone feels like a nice experience. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s screen has a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. This measurement dictates smooth screen navigation whether it’s switching screens or perusing your favorite social media. It handles high-speed gaming well too. Additionally, FHD+ means you can play your movie in high quality, although not 4K videos.
The display comes with more additional perks courtesy of OnePlus. You can turn on Reading Mode to filter blue light and get easy on your eyes. On its surface, the display is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which means it is scratch-resistant.
Camera
To spoil photography lovers, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G comes with four cameras on the back. Sporting a flagship-level main camera, the 64MP lens is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro, and 2MP black and white camera.
It’s an interesting configuration, especially the lack of depth camera, which is replaced by the black and white one.
Let’s focus on the main camera first. At 64MP, the main lens packs a significantly bigger sensor that translates into better photo quality. The quad-pixel means better dynamic ranges. There are also a lot more details in one picture. OnePlus Nord N10 5G doesn’t take awesome photos when everything is nice and dandy. In less optimal lighting situations, the camera also excels.
The secondary cameras act as loyal assistants to make photos more creative. The monochrome camera is our particular favorite. You can take a true black and white, vintage-style photo. The results will make your artistic side jumps in glee. Pictures come out with degrees of color interpretations no filter will match.
The front camera, meanwhile, is a 16MP shooter with EIS and HDR features. Today’s front-facing camera is not just about selfies. Making front-facing videos and having a business video call is common today. That’s why EIS is more useful than many would think.
All in all, the cameras on OnePlus Nord N10 5G is one of the reasons why this phone is so alluring. The quad-camera screams flagship, and it’s going to be worth buyers’ money.
Read also:
- T-Mobile REVVL 5G Review: Top Performance, Amazing Camera
- OnePlus Nord N100 Review: Beautiful Design with Good Specs
Storage
If you want to buy a phone whose storage never seems to run out, the 128GB memory on this phone will fulfill your dream. Such a capacity makes an SD card irrelevant. With it, you can store both app data and pictures without having to worry about being constricted with space.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G uses UFS 2.1 storage technology for faster data loading. You can have a fast processor, but if the storage is slow when allowing files to be read or written, then it can hinder performance. With this phone, you can avoid this problem thanks to the UFS 2.1.
Big storage doesn’t mean OnePlus Nord N10 5G disregarding expandable storage altogether. For power users who need more space, you can install up to 512GB to your phone.
Performance
OnePlus Nord N10 5G carries its duty with the help of an Octa-core processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 690, and 6GB RAM. This configuration delivers a reliable pro performance expected in upper to mid-range phones.
This phone doesn’t just depend on its 2GHz CPU and RAM. Also supported with a high refresh rate display and UFS 2.1 internal memory, it feels like you are using a true flagship device. There’s no choppiness when doing day-to-day activities. No noticeable jittery whatsoever and it’s a good sign.
When it comes to speed, OnePlus Nord N10 5G lags behind flagship competitors. But it is faster among competitors in its class. Snapdragon 690 comes with an integrated GPU, Adreno 619L. Playing heavy games shouldn’t be a problem on this device.
In terms of software, OnePlus Nord N10 5G runs on android-based OxygenOS. It packs all the good things Android offers, but with extra goodness from OnePlus. You’ll find the default apps, such as the dialer, messages, and gallery, to be much cleaner than in the original Android.
Apart from the Reading Mode we mentioned earlier, you’ll spot gaming mode, which lets you turn off distracting notifications as you immerse yourself in games. Meanwhile, the Zen Mode is similar to the Digital Wellbeing Google has. It helps you control your phone usage and monitor screen time.
With all these additional features, there’s no more bloatware except a few pre-installed third-party apps. That’s another favorite feature in this OnePlus Nord N10 5G review. OxygenOS is one of the most thoughtfully designed products OnePlus developed. It also comes with regular updates.
Many flagship phones from OnePlus enjoy an on-screen fingerprint reader. Unfortunately, in this case, it’s something that’s far above OnePlus Nord N10 5G’s price point. Instead, you’d have to settle a fingerprint reader on the back. It’s not a big concern, anyway.
Apart from the fingerprints, the OnePlus Nord N10 5G enjoys other sensory tools including Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, and Barometer. This phone also supports biometric face recognition.
Connectivity
OnePlus Nord N10 5G connects to the latest 5G network technology. It gives users access to the fast network in the regions covered. Along with 5G, you can use 4G LTE too when you need to.
5G is the main selling point of this phone. It enables access to speedy connections, but there’s more to consider. A 5G support ensures you have a phone that stays relevant for years to come. Unlike buying a 4G phone, you won’t have to upgrade when it becomes obsolete.
The other type of network available here includes Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. All the standard features a modern phone should have. Additionally, the phone packs some premium features budget phones typically don’t have, such as NFC. Lastly, this phone also uses USB Type-C for its charging port.
Battery
OnePlus Nord N10 5G comes with a 4,300mAh battery that doesn’t just boast big capacity. It comes with fast charging, thanks to the Warp Charge 30T charger you can find in the box. The phone can refill the battery to 40% in just 15 minutes.
The battery performance is alright too. In theory, this phone claims 25 hours of talk time and 7.4 days of standby time. In practice, the performance is not bad either. The 4,300mAh cells can last you a couple of days on basic use.
What this phone misses is the ability to recharge through wireless charging. This feature isn’t available in the OnePlus Nord N10 5G, despite many mid-range phones embracing the technology.
Is the OnePlus Nord N10 5G a good phone?
At $299.99, OnePlus Nord N10 5G is among the cheapest 5G phones in the market. It boasts near-flagship bells and whistles, featuring great performance, incredible camera, and sleek design.
In this OnePlus Nord N10 5G review, what we like the most is the brand’s commitment toward quality. You can find it in every small thing, from the dust-resistant body to the faster type of internal storage. These small perks add up into one good product that’s packed with value. It’s worth the money you will spend on it.
However, you must understand it’s far from being a budget-friendly device. If you like a 5G phone with some more pluses, this is the phone to choose from but only if you can afford it. Otherwise, you may stick to cheaper options.
OnePlus Nord N10 5G Pros
- Strong build quality
- Great camera
- Great performance, big storage
- Fast charging
- 5G connectivity
OnePlus Nord N10 5G Cons
- No wireless charging
- Price is not affordable