OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs. Infinix Zero X Neo: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Infinix Zero X Neo represent compelling options. The Nord 2 5G, with its flagship-adjacent Dimensity 1200 chipset, aims for a premium experience, while the Zero X Neo focuses on delivering solid gaming performance and a sleek design at a more accessible price point. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset, coupled with 65W SuperVOOC charging, provides a smoother, faster, and more convenient experience. While the Zero X Neo offers respectable gaming capabilities, it can't match the Nord 2 5G's overall performance and feature set.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Zero X Neo OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands-1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41-
Launch
Announced2021, September 132021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 02Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions168.4 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.01 x 0.35 in)159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MC4Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, XOS 7.6Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/3.4, 125mm (periscope telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashAuto HDR
Single16 MP, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
BluetoothYes5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNebula Black, Starry Silver, Bahamas BlueGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
Models-DN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 210 EUR€ 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Infinix Zero X Neo

  • Excellent gaming performance with the Helio G95.
  • Sleek design and build quality.
  • Competitive price point.

  • Slow 18W charging.
  • Less powerful chipset compared to the Nord 2 5G.
  • Limited information on camera specifications.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Flagship-level performance with the Dimensity 1200.
  • Blazing-fast 65W SuperVOOC charging.
  • Bright and vibrant display.

  • Potentially higher price tag.
  • Software experience may not appeal to all users.
  • No expandable storage (likely).

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 633 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. While the Zero X Neo’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be lower, impacting outdoor usability. Both devices feature an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of AMOLED panels, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The Nord 2 5G’s brightness advantage is crucial for users who frequently consume content outdoors or in brightly lit environments.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for the Zero X Neo. The Nord 2 5G likely benefits from OnePlus’s established image processing algorithms. Without specific details on the Zero X Neo’s camera hardware, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Nord 2 5G’s likely superior image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 1200 chipset will contribute to better image quality and faster processing times. The absence of details on OIS or sensor size for the Zero X Neo suggests it may struggle in low-light conditions compared to a more sophisticated setup.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Infinix Zero X Neo’s Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm). The Dimensity 1200’s Cortex-A78 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside its three additional A78 cores, provides significantly higher single-core and multi-core performance. The G95, with its two Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05 GHz, is geared towards gaming but falls behind in overall system responsiveness. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also translates to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Nord 2 5G will handle demanding apps and multitasking with ease, while the Zero X Neo may show signs of strain.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the lack of specific mAh ratings for the Zero X Neo. However, the charging experience is drastically different. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W SuperVOOC charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 30 minutes, a massive convenience. The Infinix Zero X Neo’s 18W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to fully charge, impacting usability for users who need a quick power boost.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Zero X Neo if you prioritize gaming on a budget and are willing to compromise on charging speed and overall system performance. It’s a good fit for casual gamers and users who don’t demand the absolute fastest processing. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you value a consistently smooth experience, rapid charging, and a more refined software experience. It’s ideal for power users, content creators, and anyone who wants a phone that can handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chip, its 6nm process node and OnePlus’s thermal management system are designed to mitigate overheating. Users report minimal throttling during extended gaming, though some warmth is expected. It’s significantly better in this regard than the 12nm Helio G95 in the Zero X Neo.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Infinix Zero X Neo slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than the 65W SuperVOOC charging on the Nord 2 5G. Expect to spend over two hours to fully charge the Zero X Neo, which can be frustrating for users accustomed to faster charging speeds. This is a key area where the Nord 2 5G excels.
❓ How does the gaming performance of the Helio G95 compare to more modern chipsets?
The Helio G95 is a capable gaming chipset for mid-range phones, but it's starting to show its age. It can handle most popular mobile games at medium to high settings, but it will struggle with the most demanding titles at maximum settings. The Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G offers a significantly smoother and more consistent gaming experience.