OnePlus Nord 5 vs Oppo A52: A Comprehensive Performance and Value Showdown

The Oppo A52 represents a value-focused approach to smartphone ownership, while the OnePlus Nord 5 aims for a near-flagship experience at a competitive price. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on how their contrasting chipsets and feature sets cater to different user needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly faster performance, complemented by a brighter display and blazing-fast 80W charging. However, the Oppo A52 remains a viable option for those prioritizing extreme budget-friendliness.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A52 OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Version 11, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands-1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 40, 41 - China-
Launch
Announced2020, April 20. Released 2020, April 202025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions162 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.38 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight192 g (6.77 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ)Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6125 Snapdragon 665 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 735
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.1Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama
Quad12 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.8", 1.25µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm - Global or 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) - China only50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsTwilight Black, Stream WhitePhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsCPH2061, CPH2069, PADM00, PDAM10CPH2709
PriceAbout 240 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

Oppo A52

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • Decent battery life for light usage

  • Outdated Snapdragon 665 chipset
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Likely inferior display quality

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
  • Long battery life and 1200 charge cycles

  • Higher price compared to the Oppo A52
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Potentially larger footprint

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits, compared to the Oppo A52’s unspecified brightness. This difference translates to vastly improved visibility in direct sunlight. While the A52’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior brightness suggests a more advanced panel, potentially with higher contrast. Bezels are likely slimmer on the Nord 5, reflecting its more modern design. Color accuracy is also likely superior on the Nord 5, given OnePlus’s focus on display quality.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Oppo A52, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 is expected to feature a more advanced camera system, leveraging the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The ISP enables faster image processing, improved low-light performance, and potentially more sophisticated features like computational photography. While the A52 may suffice for casual snapshots, the Nord 5 is better equipped for serious photography and videography. We can assume the Nord 5 will have a larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS), features likely absent on the A52.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo A52 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 (11nm), while the OnePlus Nord 5 features the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm). This is a generational leap. The 8s Gen 3’s 4nm process offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, preventing throttling during sustained workloads. The CPU architecture is also dramatically different; the Nord 5’s Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.0 GHz provides a substantial performance boost over the A52’s Kryo 260 Gold cores peaking at 2.0 GHz. The Nord 5’s LPDDR5x RAM (assumed, based on chipset) further enhances responsiveness compared to the A52’s likely LPDDR4X configuration.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is a standout feature, offering 49:12 hours of total usage and 13:47 hours of active use. This is significantly better than what the Oppo A52 can achieve. Crucially, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging allows for a full charge in just 54 minutes, a massive advantage over the A52’s 18W charging. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, offering versatile charging options, and even includes 5W reverse wired charging. The Nord 5’s 1200 charge cycles suggest a longer battery lifespan.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A52 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and your budget is extremely limited. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding gaming, a vibrant display, and rapid charging, and are willing to spend more for a significantly enhanced experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the OnePlus Nord 5 get noticeably hotter than the Oppo A52 during extended gaming sessions?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord 5 will likely generate more heat due to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. However, the 4nm process and advanced thermal management within the Nord 5 are designed to mitigate throttling and maintain performance for longer periods, unlike the Snapdragon 665 in the A52 which is more prone to throttling.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5's 80W charging degrade the battery faster than the Oppo A52's 18W charging?
Not necessarily. While faster charging generates more heat, the OnePlus Nord 5 incorporates battery health management features and is rated for 1200 charge cycles. This suggests the battery is designed to withstand the faster charging without significant degradation. The Oppo A52's slower charging doesn't inherently guarantee longer battery life, as battery degradation is influenced by numerous factors beyond charging speed.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 665 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, even for everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times will be faster, multitasking will be more fluid, and animations will be less likely to stutter compared to the Oppo A52’s Snapdragon 665.