iQOO Neo 10 vs OnePlus Nord 5: Which is the better smartphone?

iQOO Neo 10 and OnePlus Nord 5 are among the best releases of 2025 from their respective brands in the ₹30,000 price range. Both devices feature chipsets ideal for heavy gaming, multitasking, and editing with demanding software. However, if you plan to upgrade your device soon and these two are in your final shortlist, a detailed comparison is necessary to pick the best option.

This article compares the most important features of the iQOO Neo 10 and the OnePlus Nord 5 to help you pick the best value-for-money option.

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iQOO Neo 15 vs OnePlus Nord 5: Detailed comparison

Specs comparison

Check out the specs of iQOO Neo 15 and OnePlus Nord 5:

Specifications	iQOO Neo 10	OnePlus Nord 5
Display	6.78" screen with 1.5K AMOLED display with 144 Hz refresh rate	6.83" screen with 1.5K AMOLED display with 144 Hz refresh rate
Chipset	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
Operating System	FunTouch OS 15 is based on Android 15	Oxygen OS 15 is based on Android 15
Memory and Storage	8 GB/12 GB/16 GB RAM, 256 GB/512 GB internal memory	8 GB/12 GB/16 GB RAM, 256 GB/512 GB internal memory
Battery	7,000 mAh battery	6,800 mAh battery,

The major difference between the iQOO Neo 10 and the OnePlus Nord 15 lies in their chipsets, with only a slight variation in their operating systems. Let's discuss them in detail.

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Display, Chipset, and OS

The iQOO Neo 10 features a 1.5K AMOLED display with a brightness of 5,500 nits for complete clarity. The device is optimized to reach up to 144 Hz refresh rate to reduce screen tear and latency, and enhance your gaming experience on a 6.78" screen.

OnePlus Nord 5 also features a similar display, namely a 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate. The touch response of this device is up to 3,000 Hz, providing precise touch even with oily or wet hands.

Both devices utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s chipset. The difference is in the version of these chipsets. iQOO uses the Qualcomm 8s Gen 4, which has noticeably faster CPU performance, high bandwidth, and improved GPU architecture, providing the best overall performance.

The features of iQOO (left) and OnePlus (right) devices in question (Image via OnePlus and iQOO)

The OnePlus device uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which is essentially the earlier version of the chipset used in the iQOO mobile. The Gen 3 chipset is a near-flagship chipset that also delivers a solid performance when multitasking or playing your favorite mobile games.

Lastly, the iQOO device features the FunTouch OS 15 based on Android 15. Developed by Vivo, this OS focuses on providing more functionality and utility. OnePlus Nord 5 uses the Oxygen OS 15 based on Android 15. Developed by OnePlus, this OS is a smoother, more fluid system compared to FunTouch.

Overall, iQOO Neo 10 has a better chipset, which makes the device slightly more future-proof than the OnePlus Nord 5. However, the Nord 5's chipset, although slightly older, can also deliver great performance. Additionally, it has a larger screen and a better OS, giving it an upper hand over the iQOO Neo 10 device.

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Memory and Storage

Both devices come with multiple RAM and storage options. You can get different variants of the OnePlus phone, from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB to 512 GB of internal storage. On the other hand, iQOO Neo 10 features different variants, from 8 GB to 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB to 512 GB of internal storage. So it is a tie in the memory and storage front.

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Camera and battery

The iQOO Neo 10 has a 50 MP + 8 MP rear camera and a 32 MP selfie camera. On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord 5 comes with a 50 MP + 16 MP rear camera and a 50 MP selfie camera. The OnePlus camera has already received plenty of applause from the Indian Android market, making it a better choice.

Lastly, the IQOO Neo 10 uses a 7,000 mAh battery while the OnePlus phone comes with a 6,800 mAh battery. So, iQOO Neo 5 has a better device runtime compared to the OnePlus phone.

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Final verdict: Better phone between iQOO Neo 10 and OnePlus Nord 5

The iQOO Neo 15 has a better chipset, display clarity with 5500 nits brightness, better battery backup than the OnePlus Nord 5, a decent camera, and is available only for ₹36,999 on Amazon.

While the OnePlus Nord 5 has an older version of the chipset, it still delivers great performance. The device has a better camera than the iQOO Neo 10 phone, a decent display screen, and battery backup, and is available for ₹31,998 on Amazon.

If you want the latest chipset and better battery backup and are willing to compromise your camera requirements, the iQOO Neo 10 is a better choice. However, if you can adjust to a slightly older version of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s chipset, the OnePlus Nord 5 is a better choice, available at a more affordable price.