The budget 5G smartphone market is heating up, and two contenders are vying for your attention: the Lava Agni 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. Both offer 5G connectivity at an attractive price point, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive in and find out.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G edges out the Lava Agni 5G thanks to its generally smoother performance and more refined software experience. While the Agni 5G boasts a slightly more powerful chipset on paper, the Nord CE 2 Lite 2's optimization gives it the advantage in real-world usage. Both are solid choices for budget-conscious buyers.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 09 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 18 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 168.8 x 76.8 x 9.1 mm (6.65 x 3.02 x 0.36 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 204 g (7.20 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2460 pixels (~396 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.78 inches, 109.2 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 0.7µm, AF
5 MP, 115˚, (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| 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 | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fiery Blue | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | LXX501 | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 210 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
Lava Agni 5G
- Potentially more powerful chipset
- Larger display (often)
- Competitive pricing
- Software experience can be less polished
- Camera performance may be inconsistent
- 90Hz refresh rate (vs 120Hz)
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Smoother software experience
- Reliable camera performance
- 120Hz refresh rate
- Good value for money
- Chipset slightly less powerful on paper
- Design can be a bit generic
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.5-inch display, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G typically has a slightly higher refresh rate (120Hz vs. 90Hz on the Agni 5G), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G also often has better color accuracy. The Agni 5G may offer slightly better peak brightness.
Camera Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G generally offers a more consistent and reliable camera experience. While the Lava Agni 5G may have higher megapixel counts in some configurations, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's image processing tends to produce more natural-looking photos. Low-light performance is comparable, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G often has better noise reduction.
Performance
The Mediatek Dimensity 810 in the Lava Agni 5G has a theoretical edge in raw processing power due to its Cortex-A76 cores. However, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G benefits from Qualcomm's optimized software and generally provides a more fluid and responsive user experience. Gaming performance is comparable, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G might handle more demanding titles slightly better.
Battery Life
Both phones offer similar battery life, typically lasting a full day with moderate usage. Charging speeds are identical at 33W wired, allowing for relatively quick top-ups.
Buying Guide
The Lava Agni 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing raw processing power and a larger display. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is ideal for those seeking a more polished software experience, reliable performance, and a well-rounded package.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
While both are capable of handling most games, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G generally offers a slightly smoother gaming experience due to its optimized software.
❓ Is the Lava Agni 5G worth considering if I prioritize raw power?
Yes, the Lava Agni 5G's Dimensity 810 chipset offers more raw processing power on paper. However, consider that real-world performance is also influenced by software optimization.
