OnePlus Nord 5 vs Oppo A72: A Comprehensive Comparison of Performance and Value

The Oppo A72 represents a value-focused approach to smartphone ownership, while the OnePlus Nord 5 aims for a more premium experience with cutting-edge silicon. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on how their contrasting chipsets and features impact real-world usage.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing speed and future-proofing, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers significantly superior performance and boasts incredibly fast 80W charging. However, the Oppo A72 remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers who prioritize affordability over raw power.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A72 OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global1, 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
Launch
Announced2020, April 21. Released 2020, April 292025, 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
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning 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 (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB 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
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens 2 MP B/W, f/2.4-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.06, 1.0µm50 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
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
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 White, Sky Blue, Aurora PurplePhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsCPH2067CPH2709
PriceAbout 270 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.48 W/kg (head)     0.92 W/kg (body)-
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

Oppo A72

  • Significantly more affordable
  • Decent battery life for basic usage
  • Reliable for everyday tasks

  • Outdated Snapdragon 665 chipset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

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)

  • Higher price point
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Potentially larger physical size

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits, compared to the Oppo A72’s unspecified brightness. This difference translates to vastly improved visibility in direct sunlight. While the A72’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior brightness suggests a more advanced panel, potentially with higher contrast and color accuracy. The lack of detailed display specs for the A72 indicates a focus on cost reduction in this area.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Oppo A72, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its market positioning, it’s likely to feature a more basic camera system. The OnePlus Nord 5, while details are missing, benefits from the processing power of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, enabling more sophisticated image processing algorithms. The chipset’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) will contribute to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality. The absence of OIS or large sensor details for the A72 suggests a focus on affordability over photographic excellence.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Oppo A72 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, allowing for sustained peak performance. The Nord 5’s CPU, with its Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, will demonstrably outperform the A72’s Kryo 260 Gold cores at 2.0 GHz in CPU-intensive tasks. The 8s Gen 3 also features a more powerful GPU, making the Nord 5 the clear choice for gaming.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is rated at 49:12 hours, with an active use score of 13:47 hours, showcasing excellent battery life. Crucially, its 80W wired charging can replenish the battery to 100% in just 54 minutes, a massive advantage over the Oppo A72’s 18W charging. While the A72’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s faster charging and efficient chipset mitigate the impact of any potential capacity difference. The Nord 5 also offers 33W PPS, 18W PD, and 5W reverse wired charging, adding to its versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A72 if you need a reliable, affordable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, social media, and light web browsing. It’s ideal for users who don’t demand high-end gaming or intensive multitasking. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize a smooth, responsive experience, demanding mobile gaming, and rapid charging – and are willing to pay a premium for those features. It’s the better choice for power users and those who want a phone that will remain capable for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nord 5’s thermal management system should prevent significant throttling, maintaining consistent performance for longer periods compared to the Oppo A72’s Snapdragon 665.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compared to the 18W charging on the Oppo A72?
The 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 is dramatically faster. It can fully charge the device in approximately 54 minutes, whereas the Oppo A72’s 18W charging will take considerably longer – likely exceeding two hours. This difference is particularly noticeable for users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will the Oppo A72 still be able to run popular apps and games, even with its older processor?
The Oppo A72 can run most popular apps and games, but you’ll likely experience slower loading times, reduced graphical settings, and potential lag in more demanding titles. The Snapdragon 665 is sufficient for basic tasks, but it won’t provide the same smooth and responsive experience as the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5.