The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor X8 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this, primarily through chipset selection and charging technology. This comparison dissects those differences to reveal which phone best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a more powerful processor, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Dimensity 900 chipset offers a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 480+ in the Honor X8 5G, and the 65W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer for minimizing downtime.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, July 25 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 15 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.1 x 8.7 mm (6.44 x 2.96 x 0.34 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 194 g (6.84 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.9 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350-AC Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, Magic UI 4.2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (VNE-N41 only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 22.5W wired | 65W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Ocean Blue | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | VNE-N41 | IV2201 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Honor X8 5G
- Potentially lower price point
- 5G connectivity
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Slower Snapdragon 480+ processor
- Slower 22.5W charging
- Less capable ISP for camera processing
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Faster Mediatek Dimensity 900 processor
- 65W SuperVOOC fast charging
- More capable ISP for improved camera performance
- Higher price compared to Honor X8 5G
- May run slightly warmer under heavy load
- Software experience may vary based on OxygenOS updates
Display Comparison
Neither Honor nor OnePlus provide display specs beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, given the price points, both likely utilize LCD panels. The key difference lies in processing power; the Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G has a more capable ISP, potentially leading to slightly better image processing for display output. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price bracket. Color accuracy will likely be standard for the segment, requiring calibration for professional use.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct camera comparison is challenging. However, the Dimensity 900’s superior image signal processor (ISP) in the Nord CE 2 5G provides a processing advantage. The ISP handles noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While both phones likely feature a multi-camera setup, the image processing capabilities of the Nord CE 2 5G will likely result in more detailed and vibrant photos, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on the Nord CE 2 5G (a common feature in this chipset tier) would further enhance image quality and video stabilization.
Performance
The core distinction here is the chipset. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 900, fabricated on a 6nm process, offers a significant advantage over the Honor X8 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480+ 5G (8nm). The Dimensity 900 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A78 cores versus the Kryo 460 in the Snapdragon – resulting in a demonstrable performance increase in CPU-intensive tasks. While both phones are adequate for daily use, the Nord CE 2 5G will handle demanding apps and games with greater ease. The 6nm node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. RAM configurations are likely similar, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
The Honor X8 5G features 22.5W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G boasts a significantly faster 65W SuperVOOC charging solution. This is a major differentiator. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the Nord CE 2 5G effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. A full charge from 0-100% on the Nord CE 2 5G is expected to take around 30-40 minutes, compared to potentially over an hour on the Honor X8 5G. This difference is crucial for users who value convenience and minimal downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor X8 5G if you prioritize a lower initial cost and are comfortable with a more modest processor for everyday tasks like browsing and social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and if minimizing charging time is a high priority. The Nord CE 2's superior charging speed and processor justify the price difference for power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 480+ during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 900 is more powerful, it also generates more heat. However, the 6nm process node helps mitigate this. The Nord CE 2 5G likely has adequate thermal management to prevent significant throttling, but users may experience some warmth during prolonged, demanding gaming. The Snapdragon 480+ will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ Is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
No, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G utilizes OnePlus' proprietary SuperVOOC charging protocol. While it may charge slowly with a standard PD charger, you'll need the included SuperVOOC charger to achieve the full 65W charging speed. Using a non-SuperVOOC charger will significantly increase charging times.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 480+ handle multitasking compared to the Dimensity 900?
The Dimensity 900's more powerful CPU and improved memory management will result in a smoother multitasking experience. The Snapdragon 480+ can handle basic multitasking, but the Nord CE 2 5G will be less likely to experience lag or app reloading when switching between multiple applications.
