OnePlus Nord 2T vs. Nord CE 5G: Which Mid-Range OnePlus Reigns Supreme?

The OnePlus Nord series has consistently delivered impressive value in the mid-range segment. Now, with the Nord 2T building upon the foundation laid by the Nord CE 5G, potential buyers face a crucial decision. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device, helping you determine which OnePlus phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly faster 80W charging and more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset provide a noticeable performance boost, justifying the slightly higher price. However, the Nord CE 5G remains a compelling option for those prioritizing longer endurance and a potentially lower cost.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 5G OnePlus Nord 2T
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) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 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, 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
 78 SA/NSA - India-
Launch
Announced2021, June 102022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 11Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 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
Weight170 g (6.00 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90HzAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens50 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/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 70% in 30 min80W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver RayGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsEB2101, EB2103CPH2399, CPH2401
PriceAbout 250 EUR€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
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) -25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord CE 5G

  • Longer battery endurance (117h rating)
  • Potentially lower price point
  • Efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Less powerful processor for demanding tasks

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Significantly faster 80W charging
  • More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset
  • Brighter display (636 nits)

  • Shorter battery endurance (100h rating)
  • Potentially higher price

Display Comparison

Both the Nord CE 5G and Nord 2T feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, typical for OLED panels. However, the Nord 2T boasts a brighter panel, reaching 636 nits compared to the Nord CE 5G’s 607 nits. This translates to better visibility in direct sunlight. While both offer a smooth visual experience, the difference in peak brightness is noticeable, giving the Nord 2T a slight edge for outdoor use. Neither device specifies refresh rate, but both are expected to be 90Hz based on market positioning.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but detailed sensor information is limited. The focus should be on the image processing capabilities tied to each chipset. The Dimensity 1300’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more advanced than the Snapdragon 750G’s, potentially leading to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality in the Nord 2T. Without specific sensor details, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the chipset advantage leans towards the Nord 2T.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipset: the Nord CE 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm), while the Nord 2T is powered by the Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6nm). The Dimensity 1300, with its more advanced 6nm process and Cortex-A78 cores clocked up to 3.0 GHz, offers a substantial performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores, while efficient, are less capable. This architectural difference means the Nord 2T will handle demanding applications and multitasking with greater ease, and is more likely to maintain consistent frame rates during extended gaming sessions.

Battery Life

The Nord CE 5G boasts an endurance rating of 117 hours, while the Nord 2T scores 100 hours. This suggests the CE 5G offers slightly better battery life under typical usage. However, the Nord 2T compensates with its blazing-fast 80W SuperVOOC charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The Nord CE 5G’s 30W charging is considerably slower. This difference in charging speed dramatically alters the user experience; the Nord 2T effectively mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage with its rapid replenishment capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, stream, and occasionally game. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you demand faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid 80W SuperVOOC charging. This phone is geared towards power users and those who frequently find themselves needing a quick top-up.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 1300 in the Nord 2T get noticeably warmer than the Snapdragon 750G during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1300 is more powerful, it also generates more heat. However, OnePlus typically implements effective thermal management solutions. Expect some warming during extended gaming, but it's unlikely to cause significant throttling or discomfort. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1300 is more efficient than the 8nm Snapdragon 750G, which helps mitigate heat buildup.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Nord 2T compared to the 30W charging on the Nord CE 5G in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Nord 2T can reach 70% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the Nord CE 5G will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach the same level. This means you can quickly top up the Nord 2T during short breaks, making it ideal for users who frequently need a power boost. The 80W charging also supports PD (Power Delivery) for wider compatibility.
❓ Is the difference in battery endurance (117h vs 100h) significant enough to outweigh the faster charging of the Nord 2T for a typical user?
For most users, the convenience of 80W charging outweighs the slightly longer battery life of the Nord CE 5G. The 17-hour difference in endurance is noticeable, but easily compensated for by a quick 15-20 minute charge on the Nord 2T. The faster charging fundamentally changes how you interact with the phone, reducing range anxiety.