Oppo A53s vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset offers significantly better performance, and the 30W charging dramatically reduces downtime. While the A53s is cheaper, the Nord CE 5G’s improvements justify the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Oppo A53s | OnePlus Nord CE 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Version 1, Version 3 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Version 1 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 - Version 3 | 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 12. Released 2020, October 17 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.1 x 8.4 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x1.8 GHz Kryo 240 & 4x1.6 GHz Kryo 240) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4250 Snapdragon 460 (11 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 (single lane) | UFS 2.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Electric Black, Fancy Blue | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | CPH2139, CPH2135 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 0.77 W/kg (head) 0.97 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 117h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -29.9 LUFS (Average) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A53s
- Lowest possible price point
- Acceptable battery endurance
- Functional for basic tasks
- Significantly slower performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Less refined display
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 750G processor
- 30W fast charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Higher price than the Oppo A53s
- Similar battery endurance to A53s
- May still lack flagship-level features
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a notably brighter display, reaching 607 nits measured, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Oppo A53s. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays have an 'infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, the Nord CE 5G’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. The A53s’ display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially lower-quality panel overall.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), enabling superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The A53s likely relies on simpler image processing algorithms due to its less powerful chipset. The presence of a dedicated ISP in the 750G suggests a more refined camera experience overall.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A53s utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 460, built on an 11nm process, while the OnePlus Nord CE 5G features the Snapdragon 750G, fabricated on a more efficient 8nm node. This process difference, combined with the 750G’s Kryo 570 cores (2x2.2 GHz & 6x1.8 GHz) versus the 460’s Kryo 240 cores (4x1.8 GHz & 4x1.6 GHz), results in a substantial performance gap. The 750G offers a significantly faster CPU and GPU, making the Nord CE 5G much better suited for gaming and demanding applications. The 8nm process also contributes to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of throttling under sustained load.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite the Oppo A53s having an unspecified battery capacity. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes, is a game-changer. The Oppo A53s is limited to 18W charging, meaning significantly longer charging times. This faster charging capability effectively mitigates any potential battery capacity differences, making the Nord CE 5G more convenient for users who need to quickly top up their device.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A53s if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and your primary use case is basic communication and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and quicker charging, even if it means spending a bit more. The Nord CE 5G is the better option for anyone who plays mobile games or frequently uses demanding apps.