Motorola One 5G vs OnePlus Nord N20 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Motorola One 5G and OnePlus Nord N20 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they take different approaches to chipset selection and feature prioritization. This comparison dissects their key specifications to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a brighter display, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G emerges as the better choice. However, the Motorola One 5G’s Snapdragon 765 offers a performance edge in sustained workloads, making it suitable for power users.

PHONES
Phone Names Motorola One 5G 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, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA2, 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
Announced2020, September 01. Released 2020, September 142022, April 28
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, April 28
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions168 x 74 x 9 mm (6.61 x 2.91 x 0.35 in)159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight207 g (7.30 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
 Water-repellent coating-
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution1080 x 2520 pixels, 21:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10AMOLED
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.3 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, ring flash (macro camera), panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm 5 MP (macro), AF Auxiliary lens-
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Dual16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-16 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
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioNo
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging15W wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsOxford BlueBlue
Models-GN2200, CPH2459
PriceAbout 420 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

  • Potentially stronger CPU performance for demanding tasks
  • Snapdragon 765 offers a more mature 5G modem
  • May offer a more stock Android experience

  • Significantly slower 15W charging
  • Display specifications are less impressive
  • Potentially less efficient chipset

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

  • Much faster 33W charging
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
  • More modern Snapdragon 695 chipset

  • CPU may be slightly less powerful in peak loads
  • Image processing may be overly saturated for some users
  • Potentially less long-term software support

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 647 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Motorola One 5G. This difference translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both displays are advertised with an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the higher brightness of the Nord N20 5G provides a more impactful visual experience. The Motorola One 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially less vibrant or color-accurate panel.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specifications are lacking for both devices. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both phones feature a primary camera sensor around the 48MP-64MP range. The absence of optical image stabilization (OIS) details for either phone suggests it’s unlikely to be present. Image processing will likely be a key differentiator, with OnePlus generally favoring more saturated and contrast-rich images, while Motorola tends towards a more natural look. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, a definitive camera comparison is difficult.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Motorola One 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765 5G (7nm), while the OnePlus Nord N20 5G features the SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). Although the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 is more efficient, the Snapdragon 765’s CPU configuration – with a higher clocked Kryo 475 Prime core at 2.3 GHz versus the Nord N20’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores – suggests a performance advantage in single-core tasks. However, the Snapdragon 695’s newer architecture may offer better sustained performance in some scenarios. The Motorola One 5G’s CPU has a more complex core arrangement (1+1+6) compared to the Nord N20’s (2+6), potentially impacting multi-threaded performance.

Battery Life

Both the Motorola One 5G and OnePlus Nord N20 5G achieve an endurance rating of 129 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G supports 33W wired charging, significantly faster than the Motorola One 5G’s 15W charging. This means the Nord N20 5G can replenish its battery much quicker, reducing downtime. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the Nord N20 5G is a substantial advantage for users who prioritize convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Motorola One 5G if you frequently engage in demanding tasks like mobile gaming or video editing and value a chipset capable of handling sustained loads. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you prioritize a vibrant display, significantly faster charging speeds, and a generally smoother everyday experience, even if it means a slight performance trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord N20 5G throttle under sustained gaming loads?
While the Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset, it's not designed for extreme gaming. Expect some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to frame rate drops. The Motorola One 5G’s Snapdragon 765, with its 7nm process, may handle sustained loads slightly better, but both phones are mid-range devices and won't match flagship performance.
❓ How does the charging speed difference impact daily use between the Motorola One 5G and OnePlus Nord N20 5G?
The 33W charging on the Nord N20 5G allows for a significant top-up in a short amount of time – potentially 50% charge in around 30 minutes. The Motorola One 5G’s 15W charging will take considerably longer, requiring over an hour for a similar charge level. This makes the Nord N20 5G more convenient for users who frequently need to quickly recharge their phone.
❓ Which phone is likely to receive more software updates and security patches?
OnePlus generally provides more consistent and timely software updates compared to Motorola, particularly for its Nord series. While Motorola has improved its update cadence, OnePlus typically offers a longer support window and faster security patch releases.