OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Cubot X50: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The smartphone market is flooded with options, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments. We're pitting the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G against the Cubot X50 to determine which device delivers the best combination of performance, features, and value. While the Cubot X50 aims for affordability, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G brings 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset to the table, creating a compelling contrast.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the vast majority of users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a 6nm process, offers a substantial performance and efficiency advantage over the Cubot X50’s older Helio P60. The 33W charging is a significant convenience, and the 5G connectivity future-proofs the device.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot X50 OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced20212022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166.8 x 77.6 x 8.8 mm (6.57 x 3.06 x 0.35 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight213 g (7.51 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771V/CA Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, (wide), PDAF 16 MP, 125˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro), AF Auxiliary lens-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBmicroUSB, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-33W wired
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GreenBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
Models-CPH2381, CPH2409
Price-About 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Cubot X50

  • Potentially lower price point
  • May offer a larger battery capacity (unconfirmed)
  • Simple and straightforward user experience

  • Outdated Helio P60 chipset
  • Less efficient 12nm process
  • Slower charging speeds (likely)
  • No 5G connectivity

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Modern Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Efficient 6nm process
  • 33W fast charging
  • 5G connectivity
  • Better image processing capabilities

  • Potentially higher price
  • May have a smaller battery capacity (unconfirmed)
  • Software updates may be less frequent than flagship OnePlus devices

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that both likely utilize LCD panels. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, being a newer device, may benefit from improved color calibration and viewing angles. The absence of high refresh rate information suggests both are likely capped at 60Hz. The real difference will likely be in peak brightness and color accuracy, where the newer Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is expected to perform better.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a precise comparison is difficult. However, the chipset plays a role in image signal processing (ISP) capabilities. The Snapdragon 695’s ISP is more advanced, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While the Cubot X50 may offer a comparable megapixel count, the image processing pipeline will likely be less sophisticated. The absence of OIS information suggests neither phone features optical image stabilization, relying on software stabilization instead.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is a significant leap forward from the Cubot X50’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The Snapdragon 695 utilizes Kryo 660 cores – 2x2.2 GHz Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Silver – offering a more efficient and powerful architecture than the Helio P60’s Cortex-A73 and A53 configuration. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 translates to lower power consumption and reduced thermal throttling, crucial for sustained performance. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon 695’s architecture and manufacturing process provide a clear advantage in both single-core and multi-core tasks.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn't specified for either device. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W wired charging is a major advantage. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Cubot X50, which likely supports a much slower charging rate. Even with a similar battery capacity, the Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency will likely result in longer battery life for the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, especially during demanding tasks.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot X50 if your primary need is an extremely affordable smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media, and you're willing to compromise on performance and future-proofing. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prioritize a smoother user experience, 5G connectivity, faster charging, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding applications and occasional gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a playable experience, unlike the Helio P60 which will struggle with these titles even on low settings.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G worth the extra cost if I don't have 5G coverage in my area yet?
Even without immediate 5G access, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's 5G modem future-proofs the device. 5G networks are expanding rapidly, and having a 5G-compatible phone ensures you're ready when coverage becomes available. It also generally offers improved 4G performance compared to phones without 5G modems.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G compared to what I might expect on the Cubot X50?
The 33W charging on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will likely take a phone from 0-100% in around 70-90 minutes, depending on battery capacity. The Cubot X50, likely supporting 10-15W charging, could take over 3 hours to fully charge, making the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G significantly more convenient.