The OnePlus Nord 5 arrives as a modern contender in the mid-range, boasting the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and incredibly fast charging. However, the Huawei Mate 30 Lite, while older, remains a relevant option, particularly for users seeking a more budget-friendly device. This comparison dissects the core differences to determine which phone delivers the best experience for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers significantly improved performance and efficiency, coupled with a stunning display and class-leading 80W charging. While the Mate 30 Lite offers a lower entry price, the Nord 5’s advancements justify the cost for those prioritizing speed and longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 156.1 x 73.9 x 8.3 mm (6.15 x 2.91 x 0.33 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~412 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.26 inches, 96.2 cm2 (~83.4% 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 (2x2.27 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x1.88 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Kirin 810 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G52 MP6 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), EMUI 9.1 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | Nano Memory (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB 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 | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 20W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh, non-removable | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Aurora, Emerald Green | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | SPL-AL00, SPL-TL00 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 400 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 |
Huawei Mate 30 Lite
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Functional and reliable for basic smartphone tasks.
- May have expandable storage (depending on variant).
- Outdated chipset limits performance.
- Slower charging speed.
- Likely limited software support.
OnePlus Nord 5
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor.
- Ultra-fast 80W charging.
- Brighter and more vibrant display.
- Longer battery endurance and optimized power efficiency.
- Higher price compared to the Mate 30 Lite.
- May lack expandable storage.
- Potentially larger physical size.
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5’s display is a clear upgrade, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits. This dramatically improves visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Mate 30 Lite, which lacks specific brightness data but is expected to be significantly lower given its age and market positioning. While panel technology isn't specified for the Mate 30 Lite, the Nord 5’s likely OLED panel offers superior contrast and color accuracy. The Nord 5’s higher brightness also benefits HDR content consumption, providing a more immersive viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Mate 30 Lite, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 is expected to feature a more advanced camera system, leveraging Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The ISP enables features like improved low-light performance and faster image processing. While the Mate 30 Lite may offer acceptable image quality in good lighting conditions, the Nord 5 will likely excel in challenging scenarios and offer more sophisticated computational photography capabilities. We can assume the Nord 5 will have a larger main sensor and more advanced image stabilization.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) versus the Huawei Mate 30 Lite’s Kirin 810 (7nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s newer architecture – featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core, Cortex-A720 performance cores, and Cortex-A520 efficiency cores – provides a substantial performance leap over the Kirin 810’s Cortex-A76 and A55 configuration. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Nord 5 will handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease, while the Mate 30 Lite may struggle with newer, more resource-intensive titles.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts impressive battery endurance, achieving 49:12 hours of total usage and 13:47 hours of active use. Crucially, its 80W wired charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 54 minutes, a significant advantage over the Mate 30 Lite’s 20W charging. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, offering versatile charging options, and even includes 5W reverse wired charging. While the Mate 30 Lite’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s combination of efficient chipset, optimized software, and ultra-fast charging provides a superior overall battery experience, even if the raw mAh capacity is similar.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei Mate 30 Lite if you need a functional smartphone on a very tight budget and aren't demanding in terms of performance or future-proofing. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience, fast charging, a brighter and more modern display, and the assurance of longer software support and better gaming capabilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Kirin 810 in the Mate 30 Lite struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Kirin 810 is likely to struggle with graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, especially at higher settings. You'll likely experience noticeable frame drops and potentially overheating. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 is designed to handle these games with significantly better performance and thermal management.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compared to the 20W charging on the Mate 30 Lite in real-world use?
The 80W charging on the Nord 5 is dramatically faster. It can fully charge the phone in approximately 54 minutes, whereas the Mate 30 Lite will take considerably longer – likely over 90 minutes, potentially closer to two hours. This difference is particularly noticeable when you need a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ Will the OnePlus Nord 5 receive more software updates and security patches than the Huawei Mate 30 Lite?
Absolutely. OnePlus generally provides more consistent and longer-term software support than Huawei, especially for older devices like the Mate 30 Lite. The Nord 5 will likely receive several major Android updates and years of security patches, ensuring a more secure and up-to-date experience.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Kirin 810 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both phones can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times are faster, multitasking is more fluid, and animations are more seamless. The difference is subtle for basic use, but becomes apparent with heavier workloads.
