OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Motorola Edge 20 Lite: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Motorola Edge 20 Lite represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches, primarily centered around chipset performance and charging speed. This comparison dissects those differences and more, helping 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 Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset and blazing-fast 65W charging offer a smoother, more responsive experience and drastically reduce downtime. However, the Motorola Edge 20 Lite remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola Edge 20 Lite 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, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, July 292021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, August 16Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions165.9 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.53 x 2.99 x 0.33 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
Weight185 g (6.53 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 Water-repellent design-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 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 Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, planned upgrade to Android 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 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@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 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
Charging30W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsElectric Graphite, Lagoon GreenGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsXT2139-1DN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 160 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)

Motorola Edge 20 Lite

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Acceptable battery life

  • Significantly slower charging
  • Less powerful chipset
  • Potentially lower display brightness

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Much faster charging (65W)
  • Significantly more powerful chipset
  • Brighter display
  • Likely smoother 90Hz refresh rate

  • Higher price tag
  • May not offer substantial camera improvements over the Edge 20 Lite

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Motorola Edge 20 Lite. While both likely utilize OLED panels (based on market segment), the Nord 2’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. Contrast ratios are nominally infinite on both, typical of OLED technology. The absence of refresh rate data for the Edge 20 Lite suggests it may be limited to 60Hz, while the Nord 2 5G is expected to offer a smoother 90Hz experience, enhancing scrolling and animations.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but specifics are limited. Without detailed sensor information, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment. However, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s brand reputation suggests a more refined image processing pipeline. The Edge 20 Lite likely relies on Motorola’s software optimizations, which are generally good but may not match OnePlus’s tuning. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device makes it difficult to assess low-light performance. It's safe to assume both will include standard features like HDR and portrait modes.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s Dimensity 720 (7nm). The Dimensity 1200 features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 prime core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 performance cores, versus the Edge 20 Lite’s 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This architectural advantage, coupled with the smaller 6nm process node, results in significantly faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. The Nord 2 5G will handle demanding games and multitasking with ease, while the Edge 20 Lite may exhibit some lag under heavy load.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite differing charging capabilities. However, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W wired charging with Power Delivery (PD) is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 30 minutes. The Motorola Edge 20 Lite’s 30W charging is considerably slower, requiring significantly more time to reach 100%. This difference in charging speed dramatically impacts usability, allowing Nord 2 5G users to quickly top up their battery when needed.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Lite if you need a functional 5G smartphone with decent performance for everyday tasks and prioritize value above all else. It's ideal for users who don't heavily game or require rapid charging. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prefer a noticeably faster and more fluid experience, especially when multitasking or playing demanding games, and value the convenience of incredibly quick 65W charging. This phone is for users who want a near-flagship experience without the flagship price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 720 in the Motorola Edge 20 Lite sufficient for playing games like PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 720 can handle PUBG Mobile, but likely at medium graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect some occasional stuttering during intense firefights. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Dimensity 1200 will provide a significantly smoother and more consistent gaming experience, allowing for higher graphics settings and frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compared to the 30W charging on the Motorola Edge 20 Lite in real-world use?
The 65W charging on the Nord 2 5G can fully charge the phone in approximately 30 minutes. The Edge 20 Lite’s 30W charging will likely take over an hour and a half to reach 100%. This means you can quickly top up the Nord 2 5G during a short break, while the Edge 20 Lite requires a much longer charging period.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2 5G support 90Hz refresh rate, and if so, how does it impact the user experience?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is expected to feature a 90Hz display. This higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations, and gaming appear significantly smoother and more fluid compared to the standard 60Hz display likely found on the Motorola Edge 20 Lite. It contributes to a more responsive and enjoyable user experience.