OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs Samsung Galaxy A34: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G and Samsung Galaxy A34 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide which one deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy A34 takes the crown thanks to its superior display, longer software support, and better camera capabilities. While the Nord CE 2 5G boasts faster charging, the A34's overall package provides a more polished and future-proof experience.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G Samsung Galaxy A34
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 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, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India-
Launch
Announced2022, February 172023, March 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 22Available. Released 2023, March 24
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in)161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm (6.35 x 3.07 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight173 g (6.10 oz)199 g (7.02 oz)
 -IP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~390 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 106.9 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1080 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 13, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 5 MP (macro)
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@480fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging65W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray Mirror, Bahama BlueLime, Graphite, Violet, Silver
ModelsIV2201SM-A346E, SM-A346B, SM-A346B/DS, SM-A346B/DSN, SM-A346E/DS, SM-A346E/DSN, SM-A346M, SM-A346M/N, SM-A346M/DSN, SM-A3460
Price£ 99.00 / € 182.18€ 169.99 / $ 175.00 / £ 164.99 / ₹ 23,999
SAR EU-0.55 W/kg (head)     1.49 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 133h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -26.1 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 472126 (v9) GeekBench: 2316 (v5.5), 2518 (v6) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

  • Faster Charging (65W)
  • Slightly More Affordable
  • Decent Performance

  • Less Bright Display
  • Weaker Camera
  • Shorter Software Support
  • Lower Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy A34

  • Excellent Display (Brightness & Contrast)
  • Versatile Camera System
  • Longer Battery Life
  • Samsung's Software Support (4 years OS updates, 5 years security patches)
  • Durable Gorilla Glass Protection

  • Slower Charging (25W)
  • Slightly Higher Price

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy A34's display is a clear winner. Its 1009 nits max brightness makes it easily viewable outdoors, and the infinite contrast ratio (nominal) promises excellent image quality. The Nord CE 2 5G's display is decent, but lacks the A34's vibrancy and outdoor visibility. The A34 also likely has Gorilla Glass protection, adding durability.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy A34's camera system is more versatile. While specific megapixel counts aren't the only factor, Samsung's image processing and software features are generally superior. Expect better low-light performance and more consistent results. The Nord CE 2 5G's camera is adequate, but doesn't match the A34's capabilities.

Performance

Both phones utilize octa-core processors, but the Galaxy A34's Dimensity 1080 chipset generally offers slightly better performance than the Nord CE 2 5G's Dimensity 900. While day-to-day tasks will feel smooth on both, the A34 will handle more demanding games and applications with greater ease. RAM configurations are likely similar, but Samsung's software optimization could give it an edge.

Battery Life

The Galaxy A34's endurance rating of 133h is exceptional, indicating significantly longer battery life than the Nord CE 2 5G. While the Nord CE 2 5G's 65W charging is faster, the A34's larger battery capacity and efficient power management ultimately provide a better overall battery experience.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more affordable price point. The Samsung Galaxy A34 is a better choice for those who value a vibrant display, a versatile camera system, and the peace of mind of Samsung's extended software support.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software support?
The Samsung Galaxy A34 offers significantly longer software support, with 4 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches, compared to OnePlus's shorter commitment.
❓ Is the faster charging of the Nord CE 2 5G worth it?
While the 65W charging is faster, the Galaxy A34's larger battery means it will likely take less time to fully charge in the first place. The A34's overall battery life is a bigger advantage.