OnePlus Nord N200 5G vs. Nord N300: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G

OnePlus’s Nord N series aims to deliver 5G connectivity and a smooth user experience without breaking the bank. The Nord N200 5G and N300 represent iterative updates within this space, but key differences in their chipsets and charging capabilities create distinct user experiences. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord N300 emerges as the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset provides a noticeable performance uplift over the Snapdragon 480 in the N200 5G, and the significantly faster 33W charging mitigates any concerns about the identical 114-hour endurance ratings.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord N200 5G OnePlus Nord N300
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - USA2, 25, 41, 66, 71, 77 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat13 390/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 2, 25, 66, 71 SA/NSA/Sub6 - Canada-
Launch
Announced2021, June 212022, October 24
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, June 25Available. Released 2022, November 03
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.1 x 74.9 x 8.3 mm (6.42 x 2.95 x 0.33 in)163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)
Size6.49 inches, 102.2 cm2 (~83.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G57 MC2
OSAndroid 11, OxygenOS 11Android 12, OxygenOS
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC
Internal64GB 4GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual-48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.116 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Triple13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.116 MP, f/2.0, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with dual speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioFM radioUnspecified
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, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging18W wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue QuantumMidnight Jade
ModelsDE2118, DE2117CPH2389
PriceAbout 170 EURAbout 230 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 114h
Display- Contrast ratio: 1506:1 (nominal)
Performance- AnTuTu: 335440 (v9) GeekBench: 1780 (v5.1) GFXBench: 23fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord N200 5G

  • Potentially lower initial purchase price.
  • Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks.
  • Identical battery endurance to N300.

  • Slower Snapdragon 480 chipset.
  • Significantly slower 18W charging.
  • Likely lower peak display brightness.

OnePlus Nord N300

  • Faster and more efficient Mediatek Dimensity 810 chipset.
  • Significantly faster 33W wired charging.
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility.

  • May be slightly more expensive than the N200 5G.
  • Identical battery endurance to N200.

Display Comparison

Both the Nord N200 5G and N300 feature displays with a 1506:1 contrast ratio, suggesting similar visual pop. However, the N300 boasts a measured peak brightness of 623 nits, a substantial improvement over the N200’s unspecified brightness. This higher brightness translates to better outdoor visibility, a crucial advantage for users who spend significant time outside. While both share the same contrast ratio, the N300’s brighter panel offers a more vibrant and usable experience in various lighting conditions.

Camera Comparison

Context data lacks detailed camera specifications for either device. Given their price points, we can assume both rely on primary sensors around the 48MP mark. However, the N300’s performance advantage likely extends to image processing, allowing for faster capture and potentially better low-light performance. The inclusion of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) would be a significant differentiator, but this information is unavailable. It’s safe to assume both phones include standard features like portrait mode and HDR, but image quality will likely be the N300’s strength due to its more powerful chipset.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nord N200 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G, built on an 8nm process, while the N300 features the Mediatek Dimensity 810, fabricated on a more efficient 6nm node. This process node difference is critical; the 6nm Dimensity 810 generally offers better power efficiency and thermal performance. The CPU architecture also favors the N300, with its Cortex-A76 cores (2x2.4 GHz) offering a performance advantage over the Kryo 460 cores (2x2.0 GHz) in the N200. This translates to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking for the N300.

Battery Life

Both devices share an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, the N300’s 33W wired charging is a game-changer compared to the N200’s 18W charging. This faster charging significantly reduces the time spent tethered to an outlet. While both may last a full day, the N300 allows for a quicker top-up, providing greater flexibility for users with demanding schedules. A full charge from 0-100% on the N300 will be considerably faster than on the N200.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord N200 5G if you prioritize a slightly lower initial cost and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the OnePlus Nord N300 if you value faster performance for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly quicker charging speeds, making it ideal for users who are frequently on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 810 in the Nord N300 get noticeably warmer during extended gaming sessions compared to the Snapdragon 480?
The Dimensity 810, while more powerful, is built on a 6nm process, which generally offers better thermal efficiency than the 8nm Snapdragon 480. This means the N300 is *less* likely to experience significant throttling during prolonged gaming, and should maintain higher frame rates for longer periods. However, both phones are budget devices and will still experience some heat buildup.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the Nord N300 compared to the 18W charging on the Nord N200 5G in real-world usage?
The 33W charging on the N300 can realistically cut charging times by approximately 40-50% compared to the N200 5G. While exact times depend on battery level and ambient temperature, you can expect a full charge on the N300 to take around 60-75 minutes, whereas the N200 5G will likely require over 2 hours.
❓ Will I notice a significant difference in app loading times and multitasking between the two phones?
Yes, you should notice a tangible improvement in app loading times and multitasking performance with the Nord N300. The Dimensity 810’s Cortex-A76 cores and more efficient architecture provide a clear advantage over the Snapdragon 480, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience.