When you hear “OnePlus,” you might think of sleek designs, value-for-money specs, and the promise of a “flagship killer.” But not all OnePlus phones were made equal. Today, we’re jumping into a fun comparison between two very different models: the legendary OnePlus One from 2014 and the affordable OnePlus Nord N100 from 2020. It’s Old School vs. Budget Cool. Let’s get into it!
TLDR:
The OnePlus One was a flagship killer when it launched in 2014 with powerful specs and premium build. The Nord N100 is a low-budget phone meant for basic use and long battery life. While the OnePlus One outshines in build and raw power, the N100 wins with newer software features and modern basics. Pick the One if you love nostalgia and power. Go with the N100 if you need a solid daily driver on a budget.
📱 Design and Build
The OnePlus One felt premium. It had a sandstone back that gave it a solid, grippy feel. It was slim, with nice curves and a solid weight. Honestly, it felt more like a flagship than a startup’s first phone.
The Nord N100 is more about keeping costs down. It’s made mostly of plastic, which makes it light but also a bit less classy. It still looks good with its midnight frost finish, but you won’t mistake it for a premium phone.
- OnePlus One: Sandstone back, aluminum frame, 162g
- Nord N100: Plastic back, plastic frame, 188g
📺 Display Showdown
Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and this comparison proves it.
The OnePlus One has a 5.5-inch Full HD LCD screen. It’s bright, colorful, and sharp even by today’s standards. Watching videos and scrolling through pics still feels pretty smooth.
The Nord N100 ditches resolution for refresh rate. You get a 6.52-inch LCD with only 720p resolution, but it has a 90Hz refresh rate. That means scrolling and animations look smoother, especially compared to the One’s 60Hz.
- OnePlus One: 5.5″ LCD, 1080 x 1920, 60Hz
- Nord N100: 6.52″ LCD, 720 x 1600, 90Hz
If you care about screen quality and pixel sharpness, the OnePlus One wins. But if smoother movements are your thing, the N100 has an edge.
⚙️ Performance and Power
Here’s where things get spicy. Despite being six years older, the OnePlus One holds its ground well.
It comes with a Snapdragon 801 chip and 3GB of RAM. Sounds small now but was quite speedy back then. Apps open fast, and performance still beats many low-end phones today.
The N100 gets a Snapdragon 460 and 4GB RAM. It’s decent for everyday use—think texting, calling, browsing. Gaming and multitasking? Not so great.
- OnePlus One: Snapdragon 801, 3GB RAM
- Nord N100: Snapdragon 460, 4GB RAM
If you’re diving into multiple apps or a bit of gaming, the OnePlus One may surprisingly give you a smoother ride, even today.
📸 Camera Capabilities
Snap-happy folks, pay attention.
The OnePlus One has a single 13MP rear camera. It takes decent photos with good color. Video tops out at 4K, which is still awesome for its time.
The Nord N100 offers a triple rear camera setup: 13MP main, 2MP macro, and 2MP depth. Sounds fancy, right? But in reality, the extra cameras don’t do much. Photo quality is average, and video recording caps at 1080p.
- OnePlus One: 13MP rear, 5MP front, 4K video
- Nord N100: 13MP + 2MP + 2MP rear, 8MP front, 1080p video
So while the N100 tries to impress with numbers, the OnePlus One still captures prettier shots overall.
🔋 Battery and Charging
This is where the Nord N100 literally charges ahead.
The OnePlus One had a 3100mAh battery, which was okay back in 2014. But phones back then were less power-hungry, so it could last the day easily.
The N100 packs in a big 5000mAh battery. That’s huge! You can easily go a day and a half—or even two—with light use. It also supports 18W fast charging, while the One didn’t even have quick charge back in the day.
- OnePlus One: 3100mAh, micro-USB
- Nord N100: 5000mAh, USB-C, 18W fast charging
📶 Software and Updates
The OnePlus One originally shipped with CyanogenMod. It was clean, customizable, and fast! Many geeks loved it. Sadly, updates stopped years ago.
The Nord N100 runs OxygenOS based on Android 10 out of the box. It’s more user-friendly and closer to stock Android. It doesn’t get many updates though—maybe one or two max.
So neither is up-to-date today, but for regular users, the N100 software feels more modern and friendly. The One is mostly for fans who don’t mind flashing custom ROMs.
🔊 Extras and Features
- Fingerprint sensor? Only on the N100.
- Stereo speakers? N100 wins here again.
- Headphone jack? Yes on both!
- Expandable storage? Only the N100 offers a microSD slot.
While the OnePlus One had no gimmicks, the N100 adds just enough basics to make life easier. Especially if you’re all about the music and memory card life.
💸 Price and Value
Let’s talk money. When launched, the OnePlus One cost around $299. That was an amazing deal for flagship specs at the time.
The Nord N100 launched at just $179. It’s one of the cheapest OnePlus phones ever, aimed at first-time smartphone users or those who just want the basics.
In today’s market, you can find both phones second-hand. Prices vary, but the N100 generally goes for less, while the OnePlus One is sometimes considered a collector’s item.
🏁 Final Verdict
So, which phone wins?
Well… it depends on you.
If you’re feeling nostalgic, want better performance, and don’t mind missing new features, the OnePlus One gives you more raw power and charm. It’s like holding a bit of smartphone history.
If you want a reliable phone with a longer battery, stereo speakers, and a cleaner user experience today, the Nord N100 is the better pick. It’s perfect for calls, texts, and Netflix on the go.
Which should you choose?
- For nostalgia and techie vibes: Go with the OnePlus One.
- For daily basics on a budget: The Nord N100, no question.
Either way, it’s amazing to see how far OnePlus has come—from flagship killer to budget-friendly champion!
Published on January 8, 2026 under .
