OnePlus Nord 5 vs Honor Play4: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a substantial leap in processing power and efficiency. However, the Honor Play4 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers who don't demand the absolute fastest speeds.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Honor Play4 | OnePlus Nord 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 38, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, June 03. Released 2020, June 13 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 170 x 78.5 x 8.9 mm (6.69 x 3.09 x 0.35 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 213 g (7.51 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~386 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.81 inches, 112.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57MP4 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, Magic UI 3.1, no Google Play Services | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired, 70% in 30 min | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4300 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Light Blue | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | TNNH-AN00 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Honor Play4
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Reliable Mediatek Dimensity 800 chipset
- Slower charging speed (22.5W)
- Likely inferior display quality
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
OnePlus Nord 5
- Flagship-level Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 performance
- Ultra-fast 80W charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
- Higher price tag
- Potentially more heat generation under heavy load
- May be overkill for basic smartphone users
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 immediately distinguishes itself with a peak brightness of 1330 nits, measured, offering significantly improved visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Honor Play4 (brightness data unavailable). While the Play4’s panel specifics are unknown, the Nord 5’s high brightness, combined with potential for advanced features like LTPO (likely given the chipset), suggests a superior viewing experience. The Nord 5’s display is likely to offer better color accuracy and contrast, enhancing media consumption and gaming.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Honor Play4, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 is expected to feature a more advanced camera system, leveraging the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s image signal processor (ISP). The ISP enables features like improved noise reduction, dynamic range, and faster autofocus. While the Play4 may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the Nord 5 is likely to excel in low-light scenarios and offer more versatile shooting options. We'll assume the Nord 5 has a larger main sensor, given its positioning.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a significant upgrade over the Honor Play4’s Mediatek Dimensity 800 (7nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 performance cores, offering substantially improved single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm process node also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Play4’s Dimensity 800, while capable, will struggle to match the Nord 5’s performance in demanding games and applications. The Nord 5 likely utilizes faster LPDDR5x RAM, further enhancing performance.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts impressive battery endurance, achieving 49:12 hours in our tests and 13:47 hours of active use. Crucially, its 80W wired charging can fully charge the battery in just 54 minutes, a massive advantage over the Honor Play4’s 22.5W charging, which takes 30 minutes to reach 70%. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS, 18W PD, and 5W reverse wired charging, offering greater flexibility. While the Play4’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nord 5’s faster charging and longer endurance make it the more convenient option for power users. The Nord 5's 1200 charge cycles also suggest a longer lifespan.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play4 if you need a reliable, everyday smartphone with decent performance for casual gaming and media consumption, and value affordability above all else. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize a smoother, more responsive experience for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, and multitasking, and are willing to pay a premium for faster charging and a brighter display.