OnePlus Nord vs Motorola Edge 20 Fusion: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Contenders

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord and Motorola Edge 20 Fusion represent compelling options for users seeking 5G connectivity and solid performance without breaking the bank. While both aim for a similar price point, they diverge in their core hardware choices, particularly in chipset selection. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and a brighter display, the OnePlus Nord emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 765G chipset, coupled with the measured 756 nits peak brightness, provides a smoother experience and better visibility in outdoor conditions, despite the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion's competitive pricing.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord Motorola Edge 20 Fusion
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 66
5G bands1, 3, 7, 28, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 66 SA/NSA/Sub6
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
Announced2020, July 212021, August 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, August 04Available. Released 2021, August 27
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front
Dimensions158.3 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm (6.23 x 2.89 x 0.32 in)166 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.54 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight184 g (6.49 oz)185 g (6.53 oz)
 -Water-repellent design
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5-
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~408 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.6 cm2 (~86.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+OLED, 1B colors, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Mali-G57 MC3
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, OxygenOS 12Android 11
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC
Internal64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 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-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.52", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Dual32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm 8 MP, f/2.5, 105˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-32 MP, f/2.3, (wide), 0.7µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), NavICGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging30W wired, 70% in 30 min30W wired
TypeLi-Po 4115 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue Marble, Gray Onyx (Gray Ash)Electric Graphite, Cyber Teal
ModelsAC2001, AC2003-
Price€ 101.45 / £ 119.99About 250 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM$ 299.00-
256GB 12GB RAM$ 329.99-
64GB 6GB RAMC$ 865.00-
RENEWED£ 172.00-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.6 LUFS (Average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 315641 (v8) GeekBench: 7844 (v4.4), 1953 (v5.1) GFXBench: 19fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

OnePlus Nord

  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility (756 nits)
  • Potentially smoother performance with Snapdragon 765G
  • Stronger battery endurance (100h rating)

  • Higher price point for some configurations
  • Camera specifications are unknown

Motorola Edge 20 Fusion

  • Competitive pricing
  • MediaTek Dimensity 800U offers 5G connectivity
  • Streamlined Android experience (typical of Motorola)

  • Likely lower peak display brightness
  • Potentially less consistent performance under sustained load

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord boasts a measured peak brightness of 756 nits, a significant advantage over the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion (brightness data unavailable). This translates to better outdoor visibility, a crucial factor for many users. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels given the 'Infinite' contrast ratio specification for the Nord, the Nord’s higher brightness suggests a more advanced panel. The lack of refresh rate information for the Edge 20 Fusion means the Nord likely has a smoother experience if it supports a higher refresh rate (not specified in the data).

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are absent. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s reasonable to assume both employ similar main sensor resolutions. The absence of detail suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer, focusing instead on providing adequate image quality for social media and casual use. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus Nord utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, built on a 7nm process, while the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion features the MediaTek Dimensity 800U, also on a 7nm process. The Snapdragon 765G’s CPU configuration – an octa-core setup with a 2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core – suggests a focus on single-core performance, beneficial for app launch speeds and responsiveness. The Dimensity 800U’s Cortex-A76 cores, while capable, are paired with less powerful Cortex-A55 cores for the majority of tasks. This difference in CPU architecture could lead to a more noticeable performance gap in sustained workloads. The Nord’s availability with up to 12GB of RAM further enhances its multitasking capabilities.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord claims an endurance rating of 100 hours, a strong indicator of battery life. While the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s battery capacity is unknown, both phones share a 30W wired charging capability, allowing for a 70% charge in 30 minutes on the Nord. The Nord’s higher endurance rating suggests more efficient power management, potentially due to the Snapdragon 765G’s optimization or a larger battery capacity (not specified). Without knowing the Edge 20 Fusion’s battery size, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Nord’s endurance rating provides a significant advantage.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord if you need a reliably smooth user experience, particularly for multitasking and moderate gaming, and value a brighter, more visible display. The Nord’s wider range of RAM/storage configurations also offers more flexibility. Buy the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion if you prioritize value and are comfortable with potentially slightly less consistent performance in demanding tasks, and are seeking a streamlined Android experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 765G in the OnePlus Nord handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 765G is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but expect to use medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The chipset’s Adreno 620 GPU is sufficient for most mobile games, but it’s not a flagship-level performer. The Nord’s availability with up to 12GB of RAM will help maintain stable frame rates during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Is the Motorola Edge 20 Fusion a good choice for users who frequently stream video?
The Motorola Edge 20 Fusion’s performance with video streaming will depend on network conditions and the streaming resolution. The Dimensity 800U supports 5G, which is beneficial for high-bandwidth streaming. However, the lack of information regarding display quality (specifically brightness) could impact the viewing experience in bright environments.
❓ What storage options are available for the OnePlus Nord, and is it expandable?
The OnePlus Nord is available in 64GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/8GB RAM, and 256GB/12GB RAM configurations. Crucially, the Nord *does not* offer microSD card expansion, so choosing the appropriate storage capacity upfront is essential.