OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Xiaomi Poco X5: The Ultimate Showdown

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G and Xiaomi Poco X5 are two strong contenders. Both offer 5G connectivity and a compelling feature set at an attractive price point. But which one reigns supreme? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Poco X5 edges out the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G thanks to its significantly better battery life and faster charging. While both share the same chipset, the Poco X5's display brightness and overall polish give it a slight advantage, making it the better value proposition.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G Xiaomi Poco X5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International
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, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, April 282023, February 06
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 30Available. Released 2023, February 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)165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
 -IP53, dust and splash resistant
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 12, MIUI 13 for POCO
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm13 MP, f/2.5, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 -24-bit/192kHz audio
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS
RadioUnspecifiedFM radio, recording
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, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired, 100% in 60 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Dusk, Blue TideJaguar Black, Wildcat Blue, Supernova Green
ModelsCPH2381, CPH240922111317PG, 22111317PI
PriceAbout 220 EURAbout 230 EUR
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)0.84 W/kg (head)     0.68 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.52 W/kg (head)     0.77 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 106h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 400895 (v9) GeekBench: 2088 (v5.1)

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Clean OxygenOS software
  • Potentially slightly better camera processing
  • Decent performance for the price

  • Lower display brightness
  • Shorter battery life
  • Less polished design compared to Poco X5

Xiaomi Poco X5

  • Exceptional battery life
  • Faster charging
  • Brighter display
  • Sleek design

  • MIUI software can be polarizing
  • Camera might not be as consistently good as Nord CE 2 Lite 5G in all conditions

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, offering vibrant colors and good viewing angles. However, the Poco X5 boasts a measured peak brightness of 728 nits, significantly brighter than the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, making it easier to see outdoors. The Poco X5 also advertises an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting superior black levels.

Camera Comparison

The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G typically features a 64MP main camera, while the Poco X5 has a 48MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's camera processing might offer slightly more natural-looking results. The Poco X5's camera is generally well-regarded for its consistent performance and dynamic range. Both offer decent video recording capabilities.

Performance

Powered by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and Octa-core CPU, performance should be largely similar in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, software optimization can play a role, and Xiaomi's MIUI often includes performance tweaks. Real-world performance differences are likely to be minimal.

Battery Life

This is where the Poco X5 truly shines. It boasts an impressive endurance rating of 106 hours, significantly exceeding what's typically expected. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's battery life is respectable, but not in the same league. The Poco X5 also charges faster, completing a 100% charge in approximately 60 minutes with its 33W charging, compared to the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's standard 33W.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean software experience and potentially slightly better camera processing (though marginal). The Xiaomi Poco X5 is ideal for those seeking exceptional battery life, a brighter display, and faster charging speeds, all while maintaining a budget-friendly price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better software?
OnePlus' OxygenOS is generally considered cleaner and more streamlined than Xiaomi's MIUI, though MIUI has improved. Personal preference plays a big role here.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset good for gaming?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 5G is capable of handling most mobile games at medium settings. Don't expect flagship-level performance, but it's sufficient for casual and moderate gaming.