Smartphone Comparison: Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G vs. OnePlus Nord 3
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G | OnePlus Nord 3 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Launch Date | 2021-04-28 | 2023-07-11 | The OnePlus Nord 3 is significantly newer, suggesting more up-to-date software and features. |
| Dimensions | 161.8 × 75.3 × 8.9 mm | 162 × 75.1 × 8.2 mm | The phones are similar in size but the Nord 3 is slightly thinner and more compact in volume. |
| Weight | 190g | 193.5g | Both phones have a similar weight, so the in-hand feel will be comparable. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | The OnePlus Nord 3 has a slightly larger screen, offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | The Nord 3's higher resolution results in sharper images and text, enhancing the visual quality. |
| PPI | 405 | 451 | The Nord 3's higher pixel density results in more detailed visuals, which is more noticeable for those with keen eyes. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | The Nord 3's AMOLED display offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, making media consumption more enjoyable. It also provides better power efficiency for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | The Nord 3's higher refresh rate provides smoother scrolling and animations, making the user interface feel more fluid. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1450 nits | The Nord 3's significantly higher brightness makes it much more visible outdoors in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 9000 (4 nm) | The Nord 3's newer, more efficient chipset offers substantially higher performance for demanding tasks, including gaming and multitasking. |
| AnTuTu Score | 381,300 | 1,103,441 | The Nord 3 has drastically better performance, ensuring a smoother experience with faster app loading, and overall snappier responsiveness. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G710 MC10 | The Nord 3’s superior GPU handles graphically demanding apps and games much more effectively. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 48MP f/1.79, 1/2", 0.8µm | 50MP f/1.8, 1/1.56", 1.0µm | The Nord 3's main camera, with a larger sensor and bigger pixels, is likely to perform better in low-light conditions. |
| Selfie Camera | 8MP f/2.0 | 16MP f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | The Nord 3's higher-resolution front camera captures more detailed selfies. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 8MP f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.12µm | The Nord 3 offers a wide-angle lens for capturing more expansive scenes, which is absent on the Redmi Note 10 5G. |
| Portrait Lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1.75µm | None | Redmi Note 10 5G has a dedicated depth sensor. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | 2MP f/2.4, 1/5", 1.75µm | Both offer basic macro capabilities. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps | 4K@60fps with EIS | The Nord 3 offers significantly higher video quality with 4K recording and better stabilization. |
| Stabilization | No | EIS | The Nord 3 has better video stabilization using electronic image stabilization. |
| Slow-motion | 120 fps | 240 fps | The Nord 3 can record slow-motion at higher framerates. |
| Camera Features | Limited | OIS, PDAF | The Nord 3 offers superior camera features such as OIS for sharper photos and video, and faster autofocus with PDAF. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have similar battery capacity, indicating comparable battery life. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging | 80W Fast Charging | The Nord 3's significantly faster charging drastically reduces charging time, a huge convenience for users. |
| Features | Reverse Charging | None | The Redmi Note 10 5G has reverse charging capabilities. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, upgradable to 16 | The Nord 3 comes with a more modern operating system. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (ac) | Wi-Fi 6 (ax) | The Nord 3 has newer Wi-Fi standards, which can provide faster and more stable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.3 | The Nord 3 has newer Bluetooth version, offering better efficiency and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | A-GPS, Beidou, QZSS, GPS (L1+L5), Galileo (E1+E5a) | OnePlus Nord 3 supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Both phones support dual nano SIM. |
| Storage & RAM | |||
| Internal Storage | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256 GB | Both offer similar max storage options, but the Nord 3 does not come in 64GB variants. |
| RAM | 4/6/8 GB | 8/16 GB | The Nord 3 offers more RAM, providing superior multitasking capabilities and smoother performance for heavy applications. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio quality | Hi-Res Audio | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers | The Nord 3 has more features and better sound quality via Dolby Atmos and stereo speakers. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | The Redmi Note 10 5G has a more convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Unknown | Redmi Note 10 5G uses a more superior glass protection |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Gravity, Geomagnetic, SensorCore | Redmi Note 10 5G has a compass sensor while the OnePlus Nord 3 has gravity, geomagnetic, and sensorcore |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G Advantages:
- Reverse Charging: Can charge other devices, which can be useful in emergencies.
- Side-Mounted Fingerprint Sensor: Some users find this more convenient than a front or in-display sensor.
- Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection
OnePlus Nord 3 Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, refresh rate, and brightness, providing a much better viewing experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Dimensity 9000 chipset provides a far superior experience for gaming, multitasking, and demanding apps.
- Much Faster Charging: 80W charging dramatically reduces charging times, a huge convenience.
- Better Camera System: Improved main and front camera sensors, plus a wide-angle lens, resulting in better photo and video quality.
- Newer Software: Ships with a more modern version of Android, with a guarantee for future updates.
- Enhanced Audio: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos for a more immersive audio experience.
- Better Connectivity: Supports WiFi 6, and a newer version of Bluetooth for a better and more stable connection
- More RAM: up to 16GB of RAM for better performance.
- Additional sensors: gravity, geomagnetic, and sensorcore
Trade-offs:
- The Redmi Note 10 5G offers reverse charging and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- The OnePlus Nord 3 is thicker and heavier than the Redmi Note 10 5G.
- The OnePlus Nord 3 lacks a dedicated depth camera.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G:
- Ideal User: Budget-conscious users looking for a basic 5G smartphone for everyday tasks.
- Use Cases:
- Casual social media browsing
- Basic web surfing and email
- Light gaming
- Users who need reverse charging
- Price-to-Value: Good value for its price, providing a basic 5G experience.
- Limitation: The phone is now fairly outdated, its performance is limited, and the phone will not receive new software updates
OnePlus Nord 3:
- Ideal User: Users who want a high-performance smartphone with a great display and camera.
- Use Cases:
- Mobile gaming
- High-quality video recording and editing
- Viewing multimedia content (videos, movies, photos)
- Multitasking between apps
- Photography enthusiasts
- Price-to-Value: Offers excellent features for its price, including high-end performance and display technology.
- Limitation: no expandable storage, no reverse charging
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is my budget?
- How important is performance and gaming?
- How important are display quality and camera performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the top priority: If you need a cheap 5G phone for basic use, the Redmi Note 10 5G is a choice to consider but it's very dated.
- Scenario 2: Mid-Range, Good Overall Performance: If you want a phone that performs well in every category, choose the OnePlus Nord 3.
- Scenario 3: Display and Camera are Essential: The OnePlus Nord 3 is better in these categories because of the AMOLED display, 4K video recording, and a wide-angle lens.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 3.
Reasoning:
While both phones have their merits, the OnePlus Nord 3 offers a dramatically superior experience in nearly every area that matters to me as a user. The significantly faster performance, better display, vastly improved camera capabilities, faster charging, and more up-to-date software are critical aspects of daily usage. The superior display with AMOLED technology makes media consumption much more enjoyable, and the enhanced camera system will allow for higher-quality photos and videos. The significantly higher performance, thanks to the Dimensity 9000 chipset, ensures that the device will remain smooth and responsive for years to come. The 80W charging also is a huge time saver. The lack of a headphone jack or expandable storage on the OnePlus isn't a deal breaker for me, and the other advantages more than make up for this. The Redmi Note 10 5G is very dated now, and would not hold up well by today's standards, and has a very limited software support. For someone looking for a more modern and well-rounded phone, the OnePlus Nord 3 is the clear winner.
