Motorola G96 vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a generally refined software experience, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G emerges as the better choice. Its 65W charging significantly outperforms the G96’s 30W, and the Dimensity 900, while built on a larger node, provides comparable performance in most daily tasks. However, the G96’s newer Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers potential efficiency gains.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola G96 | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 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 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 | 2025, July 09 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 16 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), silicone polymer back (eco leather), plastic frame | - |
| Dimensions | 161.9 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.37 x 2.89 x 0.31 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 | 178 g (6.28 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~90.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 1600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 710 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 1 major Android upgrade | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS, OIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.14", 0.7µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired | 65W wired |
| Type | 5500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Pantone (Greener Pastures, Cattleya Orchid, Dresden Blue, Ashleigh Blue) | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | - | IV2201 |
| Price | ₹ 16,304 | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Motorola G96
- More modern 4nm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Potentially better long-term efficiency
- May offer slightly better sustained performance
- Slower 30W charging
- Software updates may be less frequent than OnePlus
- Camera performance is speculative without detailed specs
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Significantly faster 65W charging
- Refined and generally well-received OxygenOS software
- Competitive performance for everyday tasks
- Older 6nm Dimensity 900 chipset
- Potentially less efficient than the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
- May experience more thermal throttling under heavy load
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on the underlying processors. Display quality will likely be similar, leaning towards adequate for the price point. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment. Color accuracy will likely be tuned for vibrancy rather than professional accuracy.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) plays a crucial role. Qualcomm’s ISPs generally excel in image processing, particularly in low-light conditions. The G96 *may* have an edge in image quality due to the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s ISP, but this is speculative. Both phones likely feature a primary camera, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens; focusing on the main sensor’s size and aperture would be key to determining actual performance. The 2MP macro lenses commonly found on both devices offer limited practical value.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Motorola G96 features the Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 900 (6nm). The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s 4nm process offers a theoretical advantage in power efficiency, potentially leading to cooler operation and longer battery life under sustained load. However, the Dimensity 900’s CPU configuration (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) is slightly different than the G96’s (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55), potentially impacting multi-core performance. The G96’s newer architecture may offer better sustained performance, but real-world differences will likely be subtle for most users. RAM speed (LPDDR4x is expected on both) won't be a major differentiator.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s 65W wired charging is a significant advantage. This allows for a full charge in approximately 30-40 minutes, a substantial time saving compared to the Motorola G96’s 30W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s 4nm process *could* translate to better battery life during typical usage, but the Nord CE 2 5G’s charging speed provides a more tangible benefit for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola G96 if you prioritize a more modern chipset architecture and potentially better long-term efficiency, even if it means sacrificing charging speed. This phone is ideal for users who frequently engage in extended gaming sessions or resource-intensive tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you value rapid charging, a polished user experience, and don't mind a slightly older chipset. This is the better option for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day and appreciate a streamlined software experience.