OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Nord 2T: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and the Nord 2T can be tricky – both offer compelling features at competitive prices. This comprehensive comparison breaks down the key differences to help you decide which phone best suits your needs and budget. Let's dive in!
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the overall winner thanks to its superior chipset, faster charging, brighter display, and slightly better camera capabilities. However, the Nord CE 2 5G remains a solid choice for those prioritizing affordability and a more compact design.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G OnePlus Nord 2T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India-
Launch
Announced2022, February 172022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 22Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging65W wired80W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray Mirror, Bahama BlueGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsIV2201CPH2399, CPH2401
Price£ 99.00 / € 182.18€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 100h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

  • More affordable
  • Compact design
  • 5G connectivity
  • Decent performance for the price

  • Less powerful chipset
  • Slower charging
  • Dimmer display
  • Average camera performance

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Faster performance
  • Brighter display
  • Faster charging (80W)
  • Better camera
  • Premium feel

  • Slightly more expensive
  • Larger size (potentially less comfortable for some)

Display Comparison

The Nord 2T boasts a significantly brighter display (636 nits vs. CE 2 5G's estimated 450 nits), offering better visibility outdoors. Its 'Infinite' contrast ratio (though nominal) suggests deeper blacks and richer colors. While both have similar FHD+ AMOLED panels with 90Hz refresh rates, the Nord 2T's brightness advantage is noticeable.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable camera systems, the Nord 2T generally produces better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Nord 2T's image processing tends to be more refined, resulting in more vibrant and detailed photos. Both have a main 50MP sensor, but the Nord 2T's overall camera system is more versatile.

Performance

The Nord 2T's Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset is a clear winner over the CE 2 5G's Dimensity 900. The 1300 offers a more powerful CPU and GPU, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance. The Nord 2T's CPU configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78) provides a significant boost over the CE 2 5G's (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78).

Battery Life

Both phones offer excellent battery life, achieving an endurance rating of 100 hours. However, the Nord 2T's 80W SuperVOOC charging is significantly faster than the CE 2 5G's 65W charging, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

Who should buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G? It's ideal for budget-conscious users who want 5G connectivity and a streamlined OnePlus experience. Who should buy the OnePlus Nord 2T? It's perfect for users who demand better performance, faster charging, and a more premium camera experience, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nord 2T worth the extra money compared to the CE 2 5G?
Yes, if you prioritize performance, a brighter display, and faster charging. The Nord 2T offers a noticeable upgrade in these areas.
❓ Which phone has better 5G connectivity?
Both phones support 5G, so connectivity should be comparable in areas with 5G coverage.
❓ What is the difference in camera quality between the two?
The Nord 2T generally produces better photos, especially in low light, thanks to its more refined image processing and slightly better hardware.