OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs. Nord CE 5G: Which Mid-Range OnePlus is Right for You?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing performance and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers a noticeable boost in processing power. However, the Nord CE 5G excels in battery endurance, offering a significant advantage for those who need all-day (and beyond) battery life.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 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, July 22 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 28 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 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 |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | - |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Auto HDR | HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | DN2101, DN2103 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 | About 250 EUR |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 102h | Endurance rating 117h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -24.3 LUFS (Very good) | -29.9 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
- Faster charging (65W, 30 min to 100%)
- Brighter display (633 nits)
- Shorter battery life (102h endurance)
- Potentially higher thermal throttling under sustained load
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Longer battery life (117h endurance)
- More efficient processor (Snapdragon 750G)
- Potentially cooler operation
- Slower processor (Snapdragon 750G)
- Slower charging (30W, 30 min to 70%)
Display Comparison
Both the Nord 2 5G and Nord CE 5G feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical for AMOLED panels. However, the Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter panel at 633 nits, compared to the Nord CE 5G’s 607 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer a smooth visual experience, the Nord 2 5G’s higher peak brightness provides a more vibrant and readable display in challenging lighting conditions. The lack of high refresh rate information for either device suggests a standard 60Hz panel, focusing cost savings on other areas.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are absent. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the Nord 2 5G may have an advantage in image processing speed and potentially more advanced features. The absence of any mention of optical image stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on electronic image stabilization (EIS), which is less effective. The focus should be on real-world image samples to determine the better performer.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nord 2 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a significantly more powerful processor than the Nord CE 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm). The Dimensity 1200’s octa-core configuration, featuring a high-clocked Cortex-A78 prime core, delivers superior CPU and GPU performance. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 750G offers better efficiency, potentially leading to lower temperatures and improved sustained performance under lighter loads, but it can't match the raw power of the Dimensity 1200. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding games and applications.
Battery Life
The Nord CE 5G takes the lead in battery endurance with a rating of 117 hours, compared to the Nord 2 5G’s 102 hours. This suggests the Snapdragon 750G’s efficiency plays a key role. However, the Nord 2 5G compensates with significantly faster charging – 65W wired, achieving 100% charge in just 30 minutes. The Nord CE 5G’s 30W charging only reaches 70% in the same timeframe. This means while the CE 5G lasts longer on a single charge, the Nord 2 5G can quickly top up when needed.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you need a phone for demanding tasks like gaming, video editing, or frequent multitasking. Its superior chipset and faster charging will keep you productive and entertained. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize battery life above all else, and prefer a more efficient processor that won't generate as much heat during extended use. It's ideal for everyday users who want a reliable phone that lasts.