Moto G50 vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G: Which Budget 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the better choice. Its significantly brighter display and faster 30W charging outweigh the Moto G50’s superior battery endurance. While the G50 offers excellent value, the Nord CE 5G provides a more polished and enjoyable daily experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G50 | OnePlus Nord CE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 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 |
| - | 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 25 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 26 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm (6.49 x 2.95 x 0.35 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Water-repellent design | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.8 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, barometer (market dependant) | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Steel Gray, Aqua Green | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | XT2137-1, XT2137-2 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 133h | Endurance rating 117h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1819:1 (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -28.0 LUFS (Good) | -29.9 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 286916 (v9) GeekBench: 1620 (v5.1) GFXBench: 27fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G50
- Exceptional battery life (133h endurance)
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity
- Dimmer display (362 nits)
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 480)
- Slow charging (15W)
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Brighter display (607 nits)
- Faster processor (Snapdragon 750G)
- Faster charging (30W, 70% in 30min)
- Shorter battery life (117h endurance)
- Slightly higher price
Display Comparison
The display is where the OnePlus Nord CE 5G immediately pulls ahead. Its measured peak brightness of 607 nits is substantially brighter than the Moto G50’s 362 nits, making it far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Moto G50 boasts a 1819:1 contrast ratio, the Nord CE 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (typical of OLED panels, though not explicitly stated as OLED) likely delivers deeper blacks and more vibrant colors. The difference in brightness alone makes the Nord CE 5G a more pleasant device for media consumption and everyday use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specs are absent. Given the market positioning, we can infer that neither phone will compete with flagship camera systems. However, the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G generally offers better image signal processing (ISP) capabilities than the 480 in the G50, potentially leading to better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but the Nord CE 5G likely has an edge in overall camera performance.
Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G leverages the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset, while the Moto G50 utilizes the Snapdragon 480 5G. Both are 8nm chips, but the 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a performance advantage over the G50’s 2.0 GHz Kryo 460 cores. This translates to snappier app loading times and smoother multitasking on the Nord CE 5G. While both phones are capable of handling everyday tasks, the 750G provides headroom for more demanding applications and light gaming. The G50’s 480 is adequate, but the 750G is a clear step up.
Battery Life
The Motorola Moto G50 shines in battery endurance, achieving a measured 133 hours in our tests, compared to the Nord CE 5G’s 117 hours. This is a significant difference, suggesting the G50 can comfortably last a full day of heavy use, and potentially two days for moderate users. However, the Nord CE 5G compensates with significantly faster charging – 30W wired, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The G50’s 15W charging is considerably slower, requiring more time to fully replenish the battery. This trade-off between longevity and charging speed is a key differentiator.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G50 if you absolutely prioritize maximizing battery life and are on a very tight budget. Its 133-hour endurance rating is a standout feature for users who frequently find themselves away from a charger. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging speeds, and a generally smoother user experience, even if it means sacrificing some battery longevity.