Alright, let's dive into this comparison of the Nokia G100 and the OnePlus Nord 3. On paper, these two phones occupy very different spaces in the smartphone arena, and the specs tell a pretty clear story. Let's break it down, shall we?
1. Specifications Breakdown
Here's a look at how these phones stack up across different areas, with a focus on what these differences actually mean for you.
| Feature | Nokia G100 | OnePlus Nord 3 | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.6 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm | 162 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm | The Nord 3 is slightly smaller and thinner, making it feel more compact and pocketable. |
| Weight | 195.1g | 193.5g | Both phones are very similar in weight and will likely feel comparable in the hand. |
| Build | Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Nokia's screen has a known level of protection. The Nord 3's level is unknown, which could be a concern for some. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.52" | 6.74" | The Nord 3 offers a slightly larger screen, better for media consumption and multitasking. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1240x2772 | The Nord 3's much higher resolution means significantly sharper images and text, a noticeable upgrade for daily use. |
| PPI | 269 | 451 | The Nord 3’s much higher pixel density will result in a display that appears much clearer and crisper than the G100's. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Nord 3’s AMOLED display offers richer colors, deeper blacks, and better contrast than the G100's LCD. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Nord 3's 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much smoother and more responsive. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1450 nits | The Nord 3 has excellent visibility outdoors in sunlight. The G100's low brightness means it's probably difficult to use outdoors. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 662 (11 nm) | Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) | The Nord 3 has a significantly more powerful and efficient chipset, leading to faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 201,615 | 1,103,441 | The Nord 3 is leagues ahead in performance, feeling much more responsive and less prone to lag. |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G710 MC10 | The Nord 3's GPU is far more capable, handling demanding games and graphics-intensive apps with ease. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 13MP f/2.0 | 50MP f/1.8 | The Nord 3’s main camera has higher resolution, a larger sensor and a wider aperture, making for better photos in most lighting conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.4 | 16MP f/2.4 | The Nord 3 captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 5MP f/2.2 | 8MP f/2.2 | The Nord 3's wide-angle lens will likely offer more detail, but the difference won’t be massive |
| Depth Sensor | 2MP f/2.4 | None | The G100 has a dedicated depth sensor. The Nord 3's computational capabilities may make up for this. |
| Macro Lens | None | 2MP f/2.4 | The Nord 3 includes a macro lens for capturing close-up shots, which the G100 lacks. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps | The Nord 3 is capable of much higher-quality video recording with more options for frame rates. |
| Stabilization | No | EIS + OIS | The Nord 3 has both electronic and optical stabilization, which will help capture smoother, more stable videos and sharper photos. |
| Battery Life | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones have the same battery capacity, suggesting comparable all-day battery life. |
| Charging | 15W | 80W | The Nord 3 charges significantly faster, reducing the time you need to be plugged in. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 12 | Android 13 | The Nord 3 has a newer version of Android, which may offer performance and security benefits. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | The Nord 3 supports faster and more efficient WiFi. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 | The Nord 3 has a newer version of Bluetooth, which may result in a more stable and efficient connection. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS | A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | The Nord 3 has access to more satellite navigation systems which should result in better GPS accuracy. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32/128GB | 128/256GB | The Nord 3 has more internal storage options, giving you more room for photos, videos and apps. |
| RAM | 3/4GB | 8/16GB | The Nord 3 has significantly more RAM which allows for more efficient multi-tasking. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone allows for external storage expansion. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio | 2 microphones | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Nord 3 is significantly better in sound quality thanks to its audio enhancements. |
| Security | |||
| Security | Side-mounted | Basic Fingerprint | The G100 has a more advanced side-mounted fingerprint sensor. The Nord 3 offers basic fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Barometer | Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic, SensorCore | The Nokia G100 has a dedicated barometer sensor. The OnePlus Nord 3 features Gravity, Geomagnetic, and SensorCore Sensors. |
2. Key Insights
Nokia G100:
- Strengths: The G100's main appeal is in its basic functionality with a lower price tag and a dedicated barometer sensor. The battery capacity is good, and it has a known screen protection rating with Gorilla Glass 3.
- Competitive Advantages: The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is more advanced.
- Trade-offs: The phone has a low-resolution display, slower processor and graphics, a basic camera system, and a very slow charging speed. It's a basic device that lacks performance in many areas.
OnePlus Nord 3:
- Strengths: The Nord 3 excels in almost every area. It has a fantastic AMOLED display with a high refresh rate and high brightness, a powerful processor, a better camera setup with advanced features and better video recording capabilities, and very fast charging. The amount of RAM will significantly help with multitasking.
- Competitive Advantages: The Nord 3 offers a premium experience with its high performance, excellent display, and superior camera. It also includes fast charging which is a very practical feature.
- Trade-offs: The Nord 3 has a basic fingerprint sensor. It also lacks a barometer sensor, which might be needed by some users.
3. User Profiles and Recommendations
Nokia G100:
- Best Suited For: Users who need a basic smartphone for calls, texts, and light web browsing.
- Use Cases: First-time smartphone users, those on a tight budget, or users who prefer a basic device with long battery life and a dedicated barometer sensor, and who are fine with a poor performing screen and processor.
- Price-to-Value: Good value if you only need the basics. You would need to make compromises on display, performance, and cameras.
OnePlus Nord 3:
- Best Suited For: Power users, media consumers, mobile gamers, and anyone who values a high-quality display and camera experience.
- Use Cases: Playing graphically-intensive games, watching high-definition videos, social media enthusiasts, capturing professional photos, and using many applications.
- Price-to-Value: Excellent value for the price considering the quality of the features. You get a high performing, great screen, great camera, fast charging all for a very good price.
4. Buying Decision Framework
Here are three questions to help you decide between these phones:
How important is display quality to you? If you want a vibrant, sharp display with smooth scrolling, the OnePlus Nord 3 is the clear winner. The Nokia G100 has a very low-quality display.
What level of performance do you require? If you plan on using your phone for demanding tasks like gaming or heavy multitasking, the Nord 3 is a much better choice.
What is your budget? The Nokia G100 is a very basic and low cost device. If your budget is very low, this might be the only viable option. However, if you can spend the money, the OnePlus Nord 3 is a huge upgrade for a surprisingly small price increase.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Budget Conscious: If you need a basic phone for basic needs, the Nokia G100 is the low cost option. However, If you can afford it, the OnePlus Nord 3 is a massive upgrade for a small amount of extra money.
Tech Enthusiast: The OnePlus Nord 3 is the phone for you. You get a fantastic screen, great performance and a fantastic camera system.
Multimedia User: The OnePlus Nord 3 has a superior AMOLED display and great audio features which make for a great multimedia consumption experience.
What I Would Choose and Why
If it were my money, I would absolutely go for the OnePlus Nord 3. While the Nokia G100 is functional, it's clearly outmatched by the Nord 3 in almost every single aspect that matters for a modern smartphone experience.
The Nord 3's screen is just a joy to use. The AMOLED display with its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high refresh rate makes a huge difference in daily usage and watching content. The performance difference is also massive, the Dimensity 9000 is very powerful, making everything from scrolling through apps to playing games buttery smooth. The improved camera, with its sharper pictures, video stabilization, and 4K recording, is another massive advantage over the G100's basic setup. The 80W charging is also extremely useful, meaning you will spend less time connected to a charger. The combination of better specs, features and performance at this price point makes the OnePlus Nord 3 the clear choice for me.
While the G100 has a barometer and a more advanced fingerprint sensor, these differences are just not enough to make up for the huge advantage the Nord 3 has.
