OnePlus Nord 5 vs. Google Pixel 7a: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw speed, gaming, and rapid charging, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. However, the Google Pixel 7a excels in camera capabilities and offers a smoother, more integrated software experience, making it ideal for photography enthusiasts and those deeply invested in the Google ecosystem.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord 5 | Google Pixel 7a |
| 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - GWKK3, G0DZQ |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GWKK3 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - GHL1X, G82U8 | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, July 08 | 2023, May 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, July 08 | Available. Released 2023, May 10 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) | 152 x 72.9 x 9 mm (5.98 x 2.87 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Weight | 211 g (7.44 oz) | 193.5 g (6.84 oz) |
| - | IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min) | |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~429 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.1 inches, 90.7 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) | OLED, HDR, 90Hz |
| - | Always-on display | |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) | Octa-core (2x2.85 GHz Cortex-X1 & 2x2.35 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) | Google Tensor G2 (5 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 735 | Mali-G710 MP7 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 15, up to 5 major Android upgrades |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, OIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 13 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 | 5.3, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
| 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/6e, tri-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging | 18W wired, PD3.0 7.5W wireless |
| Type | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) | Li-Po 4385 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands | Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral |
| Models | CPH2709 | GWKK3, GHL1X, G0DZQ, G82U8 |
| Price | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 | € 179.90 / $ 150.00 / £ 170.00 / ₹ 25,980 |
| 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 | - |
OnePlus Nord 5
- Significantly faster charging (80W)
- More powerful processor (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Camera likely inferior to Pixel 7a
- Software experience less refined than Pixel
Google Pixel 7a
- Exceptional camera quality and image processing
- Seamless Google software experience
- Strong AI features (Magic Eraser, etc.)
- Slower charging speed (18W)
- Less powerful processor (Tensor G2)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1330 nits compared to the Pixel 7a’s 1070 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Nord 5’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage. The Pixel 7a’s display is still perfectly adequate for most users, but the Nord 5 offers a more vibrant and readable experience outdoors. We lack PWM frequency data, but the Nord 5’s brightness advantage may be more impactful for users than a potentially higher PWM rate on the Pixel.
Camera Comparison
The Pixel 7a’s camera is its standout feature, leveraging Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms. While specific sensor details are missing for both, the Pixel 7a’s image processing pipeline is known for its exceptional dynamic range and accurate color reproduction. The Nord 5’s camera performance is likely good, but it won’t match the Pixel’s ability to consistently deliver stunning photos in challenging conditions. The Pixel 7a’s video capabilities are also likely superior, benefiting from Google’s advanced stabilization and processing techniques. Ignoring the likely-low-resolution macro lenses on both devices, the Pixel 7a’s software advantage is the key differentiator.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) represents a substantial leap in processing power over the Google Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 (5nm). The Snapdragon’s Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.0 GHz, is a significant upgrade over the Pixel’s Cortex-X1. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Tensor G2 excels in AI tasks, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers superior overall CPU and GPU performance, making the Nord 5 the better choice for gaming and demanding applications. The Pixel 7a’s Tensor G2 focuses on machine learning tasks, which benefit Google’s camera and voice assistant features.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 offers a remarkable 49:12h endurance rating, supported by its 80W wired charging, capable of a full charge in just 54 minutes. The Pixel 7a, with its older 76h endurance rating, lags behind in battery life and charging speed, taking significantly longer to recharge with its 18W wired charging. The Nord 5’s 1200 charge cycles suggest a longer lifespan for the battery. While the Pixel 7a’s battery life is adequate for a day of moderate use, the Nord 5 provides greater peace of mind and faster replenishment, especially for power users. The addition of 33W PPS and 18W PD on the Nord 5 adds to its charging versatility.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you need a phone that can handle demanding games, quickly recharge, and offers a more customizable Android experience. It’s the choice for power users and those who value speed above all else. Buy the Google Pixel 7a if you prioritize exceptional camera quality, seamless software updates, and intelligent features like Magic Eraser, even if it means sacrificing some raw processing power and charging speed.