OnePlus Nord 5 vs Motorola Edge 40 Neo: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 5 and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options. The Nord 5 aims for near-flagship performance with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, while the Edge 40 Neo focuses on a balanced experience with the Dimensity 7030. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and 80W charging significantly outperform the Edge 40 Neo. However, the Edge 40 Neo offers a respectable experience at a potentially lower price point.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord 5 Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, July 082023, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, July 08Available. Released 2023, September 14
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight211 g (7.44 oz)170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)
Size6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSwift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 735Mali-G610 MC3
OSAndroid 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 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, AF50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF
FeaturesLED flash, Ultra HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 55.4, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging68W wired, 50% in 15 min
TypeMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)Li-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble SandsBlack, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz
ModelsCPH2709XT2307-1
Price£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998$ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass C (90 falls)-
RepairabilityClass B-

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Significantly faster processor (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3)
  • Much faster charging (80W)
  • Brighter display (1330 nits)

  • Potentially higher price
  • May run hotter under sustained load (though 4nm helps)

Motorola Edge 40 Neo

  • Potentially more affordable
  • Sleek design and build quality
  • Balanced performance for everyday tasks

  • Slower processor (Dimensity 7030)
  • Slower charging (68W)
  • Dimmer display (1073 nits)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits, compared to the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s 1073 nits. This translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize OLED panels, the Nord 5’s higher brightness and potential for a higher refresh rate (not specified, but likely 120Hz given the chipset) provide a more vibrant and responsive visual experience. The lack of LTPO specification for either phone means both will likely rely on adaptive refresh rate switching rather than variable refresh rate for power saving.

Camera Comparison

The provided data lacks detailed camera specifications, making a direct comparison challenging. However, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo is marketed with a focus on photo and video capabilities, suggesting a potentially more refined camera system. Without sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to assess image quality. It's reasonable to assume the Nord 5 will leverage the ISP capabilities of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 for improved image processing, but the Edge 40 Neo may offer more specialized camera features. We can safely assume both phones will include a standard wide, ultrawide, and potentially a macro lens, but the quality will vary significantly.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a significant step up from the Motorola Edge 40 Neo’s MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features a more advanced CPU architecture – a Cortex-X4 prime core alongside Cortex-A720 performance cores – offering superior single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads. The Dimensity 7030, while capable, relies on older Cortex-A78 cores and a less efficient 6nm process, resulting in lower peak performance and potentially more heat generation. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding games and resource-intensive applications.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5 claims an impressive 49:12h endurance rating and a 13:47h active use score, suggesting excellent battery life. Crucially, it supports 80W wired charging, capable of fully charging the device in just 54 minutes, alongside 33W PPS and 18W PD. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo, with an 80h endurance rating (likely a marketing figure, given the 10:28h active use score), lags behind in battery performance. Its 68W charging is faster than many competitors, reaching 50% in 15 minutes, but it’s still slower than the Nord 5’s 80W solution. The Nord 5 also offers 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, features absent in the Edge 40 Neo.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you need uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding applications, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging. You're willing to pay a premium for these features. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prioritize a sleek design, a smooth user experience for everyday tasks, and are looking for a more budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 7030 in the Motorola Edge 40 Neo struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Dimensity 7030 is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 will provide a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more stable performance.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compared to the 68W charging on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo in real-world use?
The Nord 5 can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 54 minutes, while the Edge 40 Neo takes longer. While the Edge 40 Neo can reach 50% in 15 minutes, the Nord 5's overall charging speed is consistently faster, saving you valuable time.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 get noticeably hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chip, and some heat generation is expected during prolonged gaming. However, the 4nm manufacturing process helps to improve thermal efficiency, minimizing throttling and maintaining performance for longer periods compared to older or less efficient chipsets.
❓ Is the difference in display brightness between the two phones noticeable in everyday use?
The difference in peak brightness is most noticeable outdoors in direct sunlight. Indoors, both displays will be perfectly adequate for most users. However, the Nord 5's brighter display will offer a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience in all conditions.