OnePlus Nord N20 SE vs Realme C55: The Ultimate Budget Battle

The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord N20 SE and Realme C55 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at affordable prices, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme C55 edges out the Nord N20 SE thanks to its superior chipset, brighter display, and slightly faster charging. While the Nord N20 SE has its merits, the C55 provides a more polished and performant experience for the price.

PHONES
Phone Names	OnePlus Nord N20 SE	Realme C55

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100
4G bands	1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global	1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41
Speed	HSPA, LTE	HSPA, LTE
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE	GSM / HSPA / LTE
	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66 - LATAM	-

Launch
Announced	2022, August 05	2023, March 07
Status	Available. Released 2022, August 08	Available. Released 2023, March 08

Body
Build	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back	Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions	163.8 x 75 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)	165.6 x 75.9 x 7.9 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.31 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	187 g (6.60 oz)	189.5 g (6.70 oz)

Display
Resolution	720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density)
Size	6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)	6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)	IPS LCD, 90Hz, 680 nits (peak)

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)	Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
Chipset	Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)	Mediatek MT6769H Helio G88 (12 nm)
GPU	PowerVR GE8320	Mali-G52 MC2
OS	Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1	Android 13, Realme UI 4.0

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC	microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM	64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
	eMMC 5.1	-

Main Camera
Dual	50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens	64 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", PDAF Auxiliary lens
Features	LED flash, HDR, panorama	LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm	8 MP, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30/60fps

Selfie camera
Features	-	HDR, panorama
Single	8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm	8 MP, (wide)
Video	1080p@30fps	1080p@30fps

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	Yes
35mm jack	Yes	Yes
Loudspeaker	Yes, with dual speakers	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD	5.2, A2DP, LE
NFC	No	Yes, 360˚ (market/region dependent)
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
Radio	No	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0
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

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	33W wired, 50% in 34 min, 100% in 69 min	33W wired, 50% in 29 min
Type	Li-Po 5000 mAh	5000 mAh

Misc
Colors	Blue Oasis, Celestial Black	Sun Shower, Rainy Night, Rainforest
Models	CPH2469	RMX3710
Price	About 190 EUR	₹ 8,399

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 123h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: 1264:1 (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-31.8 LUFS (Below average)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 257263 (v9) GeekBench: 1452 (v5.1), 1413 (v6) GFXBench: 9fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord N20 SE

Clean software experience
Reliable brand reputation
Faster charging (slightly)

Weaker chipset
Lower display brightness
Potentially slower performance

Realme C55

Better chipset (Helio G88)
Brighter display
Longer battery life (claimed)
Slightly faster charging (50% in 29 min)

Realme's UI might not appeal to everyone
Camera specs are unknown

Display Comparison

The Realme C55 boasts a significant advantage with its measured 659 nits max brightness, making it much easier to view outdoors. Both phones share a 1264:1 contrast ratio, indicating good color reproduction, but the Realme's brightness gives it a noticeable edge. The Nord N20 SE's display is adequate but lacks the punch of the C55.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, detailed camera specifications are missing. However, given the chipset difference, the Realme C55 is likely to produce better image quality, especially in low-light conditions. The G88 generally supports more advanced camera features and image processing algorithms.

Performance

The Realme C55's Helio G88 chipset is a clear winner over the Nord N20 SE's Helio G35. The G88's dual Cortex-A75 cores provide a substantial boost in processing power, resulting in smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved gaming performance. The Nord N20 SE feels noticeably slower in everyday use.

Battery Life

The Realme C55 claims an impressive endurance rating of 123h, suggesting exceptional battery life. The Nord N20 SE's charging speed is slightly faster (33W vs 33W, 69 min vs 29 min for 50%), but the Realme's superior battery capacity likely compensates for this, resulting in longer overall usage time.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a good choice for users prioritizing a clean software experience and reliable brand reputation. The Realme C55 is ideal for those seeking better performance, a vibrant display, and a longer-lasting battery, especially if gaming or media consumption are priorities.