The Motorola Moto G57 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a smooth experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily through their chipset choices and resulting performance characteristics. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing efficiency and a modern chipset, the Motorola Moto G57 emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 6s Gen 4, built on a 4nm process, offers superior power efficiency and a more modern CPU architecture compared to the Nord CE 5G’s older Snapdragon 750G, despite the latter’s slightly higher clock speeds.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA/Sub6 | 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 | 2025, November 05 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, December | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), plastic frame, silicone polymer (eco leather) back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 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 |
| Weight | - | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~85.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1050 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6435-AA Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 5200 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pantone: Fluidity, Pink Lemonade, Corsair, Regatta | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | - | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Motorola Moto G57
- More efficient Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 (4nm)
- Modern CPU architecture with Cortex-A78 cores
- Potentially better sustained performance
- Charging speed currently unknown
- Display specifications limited
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Faster 30W charging with 70% in 30 minutes
- Confirmed 607 nits peak display brightness
- Established brand reputation
- Less efficient Snapdragon 750G (8nm)
- Older CPU architecture
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility. However, the Moto G57’s display specifications are currently unavailable, making a direct brightness comparison difficult. Given Motorola’s typical approach in this segment, it’s likely to be comparable, though potentially not exceeding the Nord CE 5G. Both devices feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, a common marketing term that doesn’t provide specific technical insight. Without knowing the panel technology (LCD vs. AMOLED) or refresh rate of the G57, the Nord CE 5G currently holds a slight edge due to its confirmed brightness.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a meaningful comparison is challenging. It’s safe to assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will heavily depend on the primary sensor and image processing algorithms. The prevalence of low-resolution macro lenses in this price bracket suggests both may include a 2MP macro camera, which typically offers limited practical value. The absence of OIS on either device suggests image stabilization will rely primarily on software processing.
Performance
This is where the most significant difference lies. The Motorola Moto G57 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 (4nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G, on the other hand, employs the Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm) with an octa-core CPU consisting of 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. The 4nm fabrication process of the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 is a crucial advantage, offering significantly improved power efficiency compared to the 8nm process of the 750G. While the 750G has slightly higher peak clock speeds on its prime cores, the newer Cortex-A78 cores in the G57 provide a more substantial architectural improvement, translating to better sustained performance and thermal management. This means the G57 is likely to maintain higher clock speeds for longer periods under load.
Battery Life
Both the Motorola Moto G57 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G share an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes. The Moto G57’s charging speed is currently unknown, but given its focus on efficiency, it may prioritize slower, more efficient charging to prolong battery health. The faster charging of the Nord CE 5G is a clear convenience advantage for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G57 if you need a phone with a focus on long-term efficiency, a more modern processor architecture for sustained performance, and are less concerned with pushing the absolute limits of gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize faster charging speeds and are willing to trade some processing efficiency for a quicker top-up, and don't anticipate extremely demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 in the Moto G57 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 is a capable chip, Genshin Impact is a particularly demanding title. Expect to play at lower graphics settings and potentially experience some frame rate drops during intense scenes. The 750G in the Nord CE 5G might offer slightly better peak performance in short bursts, but the G57’s efficiency should lead to more consistent frame rates over longer gaming sessions.
❓ How does the 8nm vs 4nm process affect the long-term performance of these phones?
The 4nm process used in the Snapdragon 6s Gen 4 is significantly more efficient than the 8nm process of the Snapdragon 750G. This means the G57 will generate less heat under load, reducing the likelihood of thermal throttling and maintaining higher performance for longer periods. Over the lifespan of the phone, this efficiency also translates to better battery health and potentially slower battery degradation.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Nord CE 5G a significant advantage over potentially slower charging on the Moto G57?
For users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly top up their battery, the 30W charging on the Nord CE 5G is a definite advantage. Reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes can be a lifesaver. If you typically charge your phone overnight or have ample time to charge, the difference may be less noticeable.