OnePlus Nord vs. Nord CE 5G: A Deep Dive into OnePlus's Mid-Range Lineup
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G represents the better value. Its slightly improved battery endurance (117h vs 100h) and comparable charging speed, combined with a more modern Snapdragon 750G chipset, offer a smoother experience for everyday tasks. However, the Nord’s brighter display is a significant advantage for outdoor visibility.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | OnePlus Nord |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe | 1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 78 SA/NSA - India | 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 10 | 2020, July 21 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2020, August 04 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 158.3 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 2.89 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 184 g (6.49 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~408 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.44 inches, 100.6 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 620 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | - | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.5, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 4115 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray | Blue Marble, Gray Onyx (Gray Ash) |
| Models | EB2101, EB2103 | AC2001, AC2003 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | € 101.45 / £ 119.99 |
| Pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| 128GB 8GB RAM | - | $ 299.00 |
| 256GB 12GB RAM | - | $ 329.99 |
| 64GB 6GB RAM | - | C$ 865.00 |
| RENEWED | - | £ 172.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 117h | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | Photo / Video | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -29.9 LUFS (Average) | -29.6 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 315641 (v8) GeekBench: 7844 (v4.4), 1953 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Longer battery life (117h endurance)
- More efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Competitive price point
- Dimmer display (607 nits)
- Limited camera specification details
OnePlus Nord
- Brighter display (756 nits)
- Slightly faster prime CPU core
- More complex CPU configuration
- Shorter battery life (100h endurance)
- Older Snapdragon 765G chipset
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord boasts a notably brighter display, reaching 756 nits measured, compared to the Nord CE 5G’s 607 nits. This 25% difference in peak brightness translates to significantly improved visibility under direct sunlight. Both displays share an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the Nord’s higher brightness is the defining factor for outdoor usability. While both are 6.43-inch Fluid AMOLED displays, the Nord’s superior brightness makes it the clear winner for users who spend considerable time outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed specifications beyond 'Photo / Video' are lacking. Without sensor size or megapixel counts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the image processing style is likely a key differentiator. OnePlus typically prioritizes natural-looking images, and it’s reasonable to assume both phones follow this trend. The absence of detailed camera specs suggests neither phone is positioned as a photography powerhouse, focusing instead on providing reliable image quality for everyday use. The lack of information on OIS or aperture sizes makes it impossible to determine a clear winner.
Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G (7 nm), while the Nord CE 5G utilizes the Snapdragon 750G (8 nm). The 750G, built on a smaller 8nm process, generally offers better power efficiency. The Nord’s 765G has a slightly faster prime core (2.4 GHz vs 2.2 GHz), potentially offering a marginal performance boost in single-threaded tasks. However, the 750G’s architecture and efficiency gains likely translate to smoother sustained performance during gaming and multitasking. The Nord’s CPU configuration (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) is more complex than the CE 5G’s (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570), but the newer architecture of the 750G compensates for this.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G edges out the Nord in battery endurance, achieving 117 hours compared to the Nord’s 100 hours. This 17% improvement suggests better power management, likely due to the more efficient Snapdragon 750G. Both phones support 30W wired charging, achieving 70% charge in 30 minutes, mitigating the difference in total battery capacity. The CE 5G’s longer endurance is particularly beneficial for users who frequently use their phones throughout the day without easy access to a charger.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize battery life and a modern chipset for everyday use and light gaming. It’s ideal for users who frequently stream video or rely heavily on mobile data. Buy the OnePlus Nord if you value a significantly brighter display for outdoor use and are willing to accept slightly shorter battery life and an older chipset. This phone is better suited for media consumption in bright environments.