Motorola one 5G UW ace vs OnePlus Nord N20 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Both the Motorola one 5G UW ace and the OnePlus Nord N20 5G target the competitive sub-$300 5G smartphone market. However, they take different approaches to achieving affordability. The Motorola prioritizes a slightly older, but more powerful, chipset, while the OnePlus opts for a newer, more efficient processor and faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G emerges as the better choice. While the Motorola one 5G UW ace boasts a more potent CPU core configuration, the Nord N20 5G’s more efficient Snapdragon 695, coupled with its faster 33W charging and brighter display, provides a smoother, more convenient daily experience.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola one 5G UW ace OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 48, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands2, 5, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Verizon, USA2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, July 082022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 08Available. Released 2022, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions166.1 x 76 x 9.9 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.39 in)159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight213.5 g (7.51 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, HDR10AMOLED
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Triple48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 2 MP (macro), AF64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCUnspecifiedYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioNoNo
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging20W wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsVolcanic GrayBlue
Models-GN2200, CPH2459
PriceAbout 250 EURAbout 120 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 129h
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9) GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Motorola one 5G UW ace

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance for demanding tasks.
  • Slightly more powerful ISP for image processing.
  • Competitive price point.

  • Slower 20W charging.
  • Likely uses an LCD panel, resulting in lower display quality.
  • Older chipset architecture.

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

  • Faster 33W charging for quicker top-ups.
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.
  • More power-efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset.

  • CPU core configuration may not match the Motorola in peak performance.
  • Camera performance relies heavily on software processing.
  • May be slightly more expensive.

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G clearly wins in the display department, boasting a measured peak brightness of 647 nits compared to an unspecified brightness for the Motorola. This higher brightness translates to significantly better visibility outdoors. While both phones have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Nord N20 5G’s superior brightness makes a tangible difference in real-world usage. We lack data on panel technology for the Motorola, but given its price point, it likely uses an LCD, further widening the gap in visual quality.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will rely heavily on software processing. The Motorola’s chipset has a slightly more powerful ISP, potentially offering better image processing capabilities. However, the OnePlus’s newer chipset may have more advanced computational photography features. Without sample images or detailed sensor information, it’s impossible to declare a clear winner; both likely offer acceptable, but not exceptional, camera performance.

Performance

On paper, the Motorola one 5G UW ace’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) appears stronger with its 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores. However, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s Snapdragon 695 (6nm) utilizes newer Kryo 660 Gold cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, and Silver cores at 1.7 GHz. The 6nm process node of the 695 offers improved power efficiency, potentially leading to better sustained performance and less thermal throttling. While the 750G might win in short bursts, the 695 is likely to provide a more consistent experience during prolonged gaming or multitasking. The lack of LPDDR5x specification for either phone means RAM speed isn't a differentiating factor.

Battery Life

Both phones share an endurance rating of 129 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite differing internal capacities (not specified). However, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s 33W wired charging is a significant advantage over the Motorola’s 20W charging. This translates to a much faster 0-100% charge time, reducing downtime and increasing convenience. The efficiency gains from the Snapdragon 695 also contribute to the Nord N20 5G’s overall battery experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola one 5G UW ace if you prioritize raw CPU performance for demanding tasks like emulation or light video editing, and are willing to sacrifice charging speed and potentially battery life. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you value a brighter, more usable display, faster charging, and a more modern, power-efficient chipset for everyday use and longer battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord N20 5G struggle with graphically intensive games?
While not a flagship chipset, the Snapdragon 695 is capable of running most popular mobile games at medium to high settings. The 6nm process and optimized architecture help maintain stable frame rates, though you may need to lower settings for the most demanding titles. The Motorola's 750G might offer a slight edge in raw graphical power, but the 695's efficiency is a significant advantage.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord N20 5G compared to the Motorola one 5G UW ace’s 20W charging?
The 33W charging on the Nord N20 5G can realistically reduce charging times by 30-40% compared to the Motorola’s 20W charging. Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% in approximately 60-75 minutes with the Nord N20 5G, while the Motorola will likely take over 90 minutes.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specs a major concern for either phone?
Yes, it is. Both phones operate in a price segment where camera quality is often heavily reliant on software optimization. Without knowing sensor sizes, aperture values, or the presence of OIS, it's difficult to assess their true photographic capabilities. Expect decent performance in good lighting conditions, but potentially struggles in low-light scenarios.