The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A57 4G and OnePlus Nord N20 5G both aim to deliver a solid experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The Nord N20 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and a more modern chipset, while the A57 4G focuses on optimized efficiency and a streamlined user experience. This comparison dives deep into the specs to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, built on a 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and future-proofs connectivity. While both phones offer 33W charging and similar endurance ratings, the Nord N20’s superior processing power makes it the winner.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 27 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, June 06 | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75 x 8 mm (6.44 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| | IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Schott Xensation Up |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 3GB RAM, 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.12µm, AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, 50% in 30 min | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Glowing Black, Glowing Green | Blue |
| Models | CPH2387 | GN2200, CPH2459 |
| Price | About 440 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 129h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9)
GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A57 4G
- Potentially more affordable price point
- Optimized for basic tasks and efficiency
- 33W fast charging
- Older, less powerful Helio G35 chipset
- Limited 5G connectivity
- Display specifications are less impressive
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Brighter and potentially higher-quality display
- May be slightly more expensive
- More powerful processor may consume more battery during heavy use
- Camera performance relies heavily on software processing
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 647 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Oppo A57 4G. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays are likely LCD panels (given the price point), the Nord N20’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio suggests a more refined panel with deeper blacks. The A57 4G’s display specifications are less detailed, making it difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles relative to the Nord N20 5G.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for either phone, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market segment suggests both will feature modest camera systems. The focus should be on image processing capabilities. OnePlus typically employs more aggressive image processing, aiming for vibrant, shareable photos. Oppo often leans towards more natural color reproduction. The absence of OIS on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro lens on either phone is questionable, offering limited detail and often poor image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the Oppo A57 4G’s MediaTek Helio G35 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Nord N20 5G’s CPU configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver – is architecturally more advanced than the A57 4G’s Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53), resulting in faster app loading times and smoother multitasking. The A57 4G will handle basic tasks, but the Nord N20 5G is the clear winner for anything beyond light usage.
Battery Life
Both the Oppo A57 4G and OnePlus Nord N20 5G achieve an endurance rating of 129 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life. Both support 33W wired charging, with Oppo claiming a 50% charge in 30 minutes. The Snapdragon 695’s 6nm efficiency could slightly offset the A57 4G’s potentially larger battery capacity (spec not provided), but the difference is unlikely to be substantial. The faster processor on the Nord N20 5G will consume more power during intensive tasks, but the overall endurance should remain comparable.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A57 4G if you prioritize a consistently stable experience for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and 5G isn't a necessity. Its Helio G35 chipset is adequate for everyday use. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you want a phone capable of handling more demanding apps, occasional gaming, and benefit from the faster speeds and lower latency of 5G networks. The Snapdragon 695 offers a significant performance uplift.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord N20 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low for a smooth experience. The Helio G35 in the A57 4G will struggle with PUBG Mobile, even on the lowest settings.
❓ How much faster is 5G on the Nord N20 5G compared to 4G on the Oppo A57 4G?
5G speeds on the Nord N20 5G can be significantly faster than 4G on the A57 4G, potentially offering download speeds 10-100x faster depending on network conditions and carrier support. However, 5G availability varies greatly by location.
❓ Is the 33W charging on both phones compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers?
While both phones support 33W charging, compatibility with Power Delivery (PD) chargers isn't guaranteed. It's best to use the charger included in the box or a charger specifically designed for Oppo or OnePlus devices to ensure optimal charging speeds and safety.
❓ Does the Nord N20 5G have a headphone jack?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a convenient feature for users who prefer wired headphones. The Oppo A57 4G also includes a headphone jack.
