Oppo A56s vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A56s and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, primarily in their chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, coupled with significantly faster 33W charging, provides a smoother overall experience and reduces downtime. While the A56s is more affordable, the Nord CE 2 Lite’s performance and convenience justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A56s OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2023, January 052022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, January 09Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.8 x 75.1 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.31 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, ColorOS 12.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging10W wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BlueBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
ModelsPFTM20CPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 150 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Oppo A56s

  • Lower price point makes it accessible to budget-conscious buyers.
  • Dimensity 810 is capable of handling everyday tasks efficiently.
  • Likely a lightweight and comfortable design.

  • Extremely slow 10W charging is a significant drawback.
  • Performance may struggle with demanding games or apps.
  • Camera quality likely limited by the chipset and lack of OIS.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 695 chipset offers smoother performance.
  • 33W fast charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • OnePlus’s software experience is generally cleaner and more refined.

  • Slightly higher price compared to the Oppo A56s.
  • May not offer a dramatically better camera experience.
  • Still lacks high-end features like a high refresh rate display.

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but on functionality. Without specific display specs, we can infer that both will offer adequate viewing angles and color reproduction for everyday use. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than a fluid visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the price point, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth and macro lenses. The quality of image processing will be a key differentiator. OnePlus generally prioritizes natural-looking images, while Oppo often leans towards more saturated colors. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests that low-light performance will be a challenge, relying heavily on software algorithms. The usefulness of the typical 2MP macro lens found in this segment is questionable, offering limited detail and often serving as a marketing feature rather than a practical tool.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo A56s features the Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6nm), with a CPU configuration of 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), employing 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. While both are 6nm chips, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon typically exhibits better sustained performance and GPU efficiency. The slightly lower clock speeds on the Snapdragon 695 are offset by architectural advantages, resulting in a smoother experience during multitasking and gaming. The A56s will handle everyday tasks adequately, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will likely show a noticeable advantage in more demanding scenarios.

Battery Life

The battery capacity is not specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 4500-5000 mAh range. The critical difference is charging speed. The Oppo A56s is limited to a slow 10W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take well over two hours. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, with its 33W wired charging, can significantly reduce charging times, potentially reaching 100% in under an hour. This faster charging capability is a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A56s if your absolute priority is minimizing upfront cost and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media. You’ll need to be patient with charging times. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you value a more responsive user experience, faster charging, and are willing to spend a little more for improved performance, especially if you occasionally game or use demanding apps.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G handle popular games like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it provides a playable experience for casual gamers.
❓ How long will it realistically take to fully charge the Oppo A56s with its 10W charging?
Expect a full charge from 0% to 100% on the Oppo A56s to take approximately 3-4 hours, potentially even longer depending on usage during charging. This is a significant drawback compared to the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's 33W charging.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G supports both VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), ensuring clear call quality and seamless handover between cellular and Wi-Fi networks, provided your carrier supports these technologies.
❓ Is the software experience on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G significantly better than Oppo's ColorOS?
OnePlus's OxygenOS (now integrated with Oppo's ColorOS) is generally considered cleaner and less cluttered than Oppo's ColorOS. While both offer similar features, OxygenOS typically provides a more streamlined and user-friendly experience with fewer pre-installed apps.