OnePlus Nord N200 5G vs. Nord 2 5G: Which OnePlus Should You Buy?

OnePlus’s Nord series aims to deliver a compelling smartphone experience at various price points. The Nord N200 5G represents the entry-level 5G option, while the Nord 2 5G steps up the game with a more powerful chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, helping you determine which aligns best with your needs and budget.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers significantly faster performance, and the 65W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer. While the N200 5G offers 5G connectivity at a lower price, the Nord 2’s overall experience justifies the price premium.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord N200 5G OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66, 71, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 25, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Canada-
Launch
Announced2021, June 212021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 25Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions163.1 x 74.9 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.49 inches, 102.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, OxygenOS 11Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal64GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1-
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.132 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue QuantumGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsDE2118, DE2117DN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 170 EUR€ 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord N200 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • 5G connectivity
  • Acceptable battery life

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Slower charging speed (18W)
  • Likely inferior camera performance

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Much faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging (0-100% in 30 mins)
  • Brighter display
  • Superior camera capabilities

  • Higher price tag
  • Potentially more demanding on battery life (offset by fast charging)

Display Comparison

The Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the N200 5G. While both likely utilize LCD panels (given the price points), the higher peak brightness of the Nord 2 5G translates to better visibility outdoors. The Nord 2’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a more vibrant image, though this is typical marketing language. Bezels are likely comparable, but the superior brightness makes the Nord 2 the clear winner for visual clarity.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The Nord 2 5G likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 1200, leading to better image processing. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the Nord 2’s positioning suggests a larger, higher-resolution main sensor. The N200 5G’s camera is likely adequate for casual snapshots, but the Nord 2 5G will deliver superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume the Nord 2 will have better video stabilization and potentially support higher resolution recording.

Performance

The performance gap is substantial. The Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a flagship-level chipset featuring a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This contrasts sharply with the Nord N200 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8nm) with its 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460 configuration. The Dimensity 1200’s more advanced architecture and higher clock speeds will result in significantly faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The 6nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life despite the Nord 2 5G’s more powerful processor. However, the charging experience is drastically different. The Nord N200 5G is limited to 18W wired charging, while the Nord 2 5G supports 65W SuperVOOC charging, capable of reaching 100% charge in just 30 minutes. This difference is massive; the Nord 2 5G’s charging speed mitigates any potential battery life disadvantage, offering significantly more convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord N200 5G if you prioritize affordability and basic 5G connectivity, and your usage primarily involves everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light streaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you demand smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more refined overall experience, even if it means spending more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 480 5G in the Nord N200 5G powerful enough for demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 480 5G is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can run less demanding games, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphical settings reductions and may still experience noticeable lag or stuttering. The Nord 2 5G’s Dimensity 1200 is far better suited for demanding gaming.
❓ Does the Nord 2 5G’s 65W charging generate excessive heat during charging?
OnePlus’s SuperVOOC charging technology incorporates multiple safety features to mitigate heat generation. While the charging process will be faster, it’s designed to maintain safe temperatures. Users generally report minimal heat buildup during the 65W charging cycle.
❓ What type of display technology does the Nord N200 5G use, and is it prone to flicker?
While not explicitly stated, the Nord N200 5G likely uses an LCD panel given its price point. LCD panels can sometimes exhibit flicker, especially at lower brightness levels. The PWM frequency isn't specified, so users sensitive to screen flicker should test the device in person if possible.