Motorola Moto G8 vs. OnePlus Nord 5: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing speed and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and 80W charging significantly outperform the Moto G8's Snapdragon 665 and 10W charging. However, the Moto G8 remains a viable option for those on a strict budget.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Motorola Moto G8 | OnePlus Nord 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40, 41 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 28, 66 - USA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 05. Released 2020, March 05 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.3 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.35 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 188.3 g (6.63 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Water-repellent coating | - | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~82.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | Laser AF, LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 16 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1.12µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | White Prism, Capri Blue, Pearl White, Neon Blue | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | XT2045-1 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 230 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Motorola Moto G8
- Significantly lower price point
- Potentially longer software support (Motorola's recent commitment)
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Outdated Snapdragon 665 chipset
- Extremely slow 10W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor
- Ultra-fast 80W charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
- Higher price tag
- OxygenOS can be feature-heavy for some users
- Potential for software bloat
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the Moto G8’s likely lower (and unspecified) brightness. This difference translates to vastly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Moto G8’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s brightness suggests a more advanced panel, potentially with higher contrast. The Nord 5’s superior brightness is a major advantage for media consumption and outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Moto G8, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5’s focus on processing power suggests superior image processing capabilities. While sensor size and aperture are unknown for both, the Nord 5’s chipset allows for more advanced computational photography features, such as improved low-light performance and dynamic range. The Moto G8 likely relies on simpler image processing algorithms, resulting in less refined images. We can assume the Nord 5 will offer a more versatile and higher-quality camera experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Moto G8 utilizes the Qualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665, built on an 11nm process, while the Nord 5 features the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 on a more efficient 4nm node. This architectural leap provides the Nord 5 with a substantial performance advantage. The Nord 5’s CPU, with its Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, will handle demanding applications and games with ease, while the Moto G8’s Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0 GHz will struggle with more intensive tasks. The 4nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is a standout feature, offering 49:12 hours of total usage and a 13:47-hour active use score. Crucially, its 80W wired charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 54 minutes, a massive advantage over the Moto G8’s slow 10W charging. While the Moto G8’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s faster charging and efficient chipset mitigate the impact of potentially similar battery sizes. The Nord 5 also includes 33W PPS and 18W PD charging standards, alongside 5W reverse wired charging, offering greater flexibility.
Buying Guide
Buy the Motorola Moto G8 if you need a functional, reliable smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and you value fast charging and long-term performance.