OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Oppo A78: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two strong contenders against each other: the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G and the Oppo A78. Both promise a blend of features and affordability, but which one truly comes out on top?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Oppo A78 edges out the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G thanks to its slightly more efficient chipset, faster charging (with PD support), and generally smoother software experience. While the OnePlus offers a competitive price, the Oppo provides a more polished overall package.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G Oppo A78
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 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
 -IP54
Launch
Announced2022, April 282023, January 07
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 30Available. Released 2023, January 07
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)188 g (6.63 oz)
Display
Protection-Panda glass
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide)
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.0, 27mm (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired, PD, 52% in 30 min, 100% in 67 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Dusk, Blue TideGlowing Black, Glowing Purple
ModelsCPH2381, CPH2409CPH2483, CPH2495
PriceAbout 220 EUR€ 188.99 / $ 102.92 / ₹ 16,290
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)-

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Brand recognition (OnePlus)
  • Potentially lower price
  • Decent 5G connectivity
  • Familiar OxygenOS (though evolving)

  • Slightly less powerful chipset
  • Slower charging
  • OxygenOS changes may not appeal to all

Oppo A78

  • More efficient chipset (Dimensity 700)
  • Faster charging with PD support
  • Generally smoother software experience (ColorOS)
  • Good value for money

  • Oppo's ColorOS may not be everyone's preference
  • Brand recognition less established than OnePlus in some markets

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.56-inch display, likely with an FHD+ resolution. The Oppo A78 might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to Oppo's display tuning, but both offer a decent viewing experience for the price. Expect similar refresh rates, likely around 90Hz or 120Hz.

Camera Comparison

The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G typically features a 50MP main camera, while the Oppo A78 also boasts a 50MP main sensor. Image quality will depend heavily on software processing. Expect decent daytime shots from both, but low-light performance might be a differentiator. The Oppo's software optimizations could give it an edge here. Both likely have ultrawide and macro lenses.

Performance

The Oppo A78's Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a 7nm process, generally outperforms the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) in real-world usage. The Dimensity 700's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in responsiveness and multitasking. Gaming performance will be similar, but the Oppo might handle more demanding titles slightly better.

Battery Life

Both phones have a 5000mAh battery, offering all-day battery life. However, the Oppo A78's 33W charging with PD support provides significantly faster charging speeds (30% in 67 minutes vs. unspecified for the OnePlus). This is a crucial advantage for users who value quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing a familiar OnePlus experience and a potentially lower price point. The Oppo A78 is ideal for those seeking faster charging, a more refined user interface, and slightly better performance in everyday tasks.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better 5G connectivity?
Both phones support 5G, but the actual performance will depend on network availability and carrier compatibility. Both chipsets are capable of handling 5G.
❓ Is the OxygenOS on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G still good?
OxygenOS is undergoing changes and merging with ColorOS. Some users appreciate the new features, while others miss the original OxygenOS experience. It's worth researching the latest reviews to see if the changes are to your liking.