Oppo A73 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G: A Detailed Comparison

Both the Oppo A73 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 5G target the competitive mid-range 5G market, but they take different approaches. The A73 5G leverages MediaTek's Dimensity 720, while the Nord CE 5G opts for Qualcomm's Snapdragon 750G. This comparison dives deep into the implications of these chipset choices, alongside differences in display, battery, and charging, to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 750G chipset, coupled with 30W fast charging, provides a noticeable performance and convenience advantage over the Oppo A73 5G's Dimensity 720 and 18W charging. While both offer similar battery endurance, the Nord CE 5G’s faster replenishment is a key differentiator.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A73 5G OnePlus Nord CE 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2020, November 4. Released 2020, November 42021, June 10
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, June 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.2 x 75 x 7.9 mm (6.39 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight177 g (6.24 oz)170 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ)Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, upgradable to Android 12, ColorOS 12Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Triple16 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, aptX HD, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC-Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
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, proximityFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired30W wired, 70% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4040 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsNavy Black, NeonBlue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray
ModelsCPH2161EB2101, EB2103
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 250 EUR
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 A73 5G

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Decent battery endurance
  • Reliable MediaTek Dimensity 720 chipset for everyday tasks

  • Slower 18W charging
  • Less powerful chipset compared to Snapdragon 750G
  • Limited display specifications

OnePlus Nord CE 5G

  • Faster Snapdragon 750G processor
  • Significantly faster 30W charging (70% in 30 min)
  • Brighter display (607 nits)

  • May be slightly more expensive
  • Similar battery endurance to A73 5G despite faster charging
  • Camera performance may not be significantly better

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 607 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Oppo A73 5G. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. While both displays are likely to have an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Nord CE 5G’s higher peak brightness is a tangible advantage for users who frequently consume content in bright environments. The A73 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially less vibrant or color-accurate experience.

Camera Comparison

Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, OnePlus generally prioritizes image processing for natural-looking photos, while Oppo often leans towards more vibrant, saturated colors. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone is a standout camera performer, focusing instead on providing a versatile, all-around imaging experience. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro lenses on either device is questionable, offering limited image quality improvements.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm) features Kryo 570 cores clocked up to 2.2 GHz, offering a performance edge over the Oppo A73 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 720 (7nm) with its Cortex-A76 cores peaking at 2.0 GHz. The 8nm process node of the Snapdragon 750G generally provides better power efficiency than the 7nm Dimensity 720, potentially leading to improved sustained performance under load. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon’s architecture and higher clock speeds will result in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo A73 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the Nord CE 5G’s 30W wired charging capability significantly outperforms the A73 5G’s 18W charging. The Nord CE 5G can reach 70% charge in just 30 minutes, while the A73 5G will take considerably longer to achieve a full charge. This faster charging is a crucial advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A73 5G if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are comfortable with slightly slower performance and charging speeds. It’s a solid choice for everyday tasks and light media consumption. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value faster processing for gaming and multitasking, and appreciate the convenience of significantly quicker 30W charging, making it ideal for power users and those on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 750G is capable of running PUBG Mobile at high settings with stable frame rates. While it's not a flagship-level gaming chip, it provides a significantly better gaming experience than the Dimensity 720 in the A73 5G, offering smoother gameplay and reduced lag.
❓ How much faster is the 30W charging on the Nord CE 5G compared to the 18W charging on the A73 5G in real-world use?
The Nord CE 5G can reach 70% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the A73 5G will likely take over an hour to achieve the same level. This difference is substantial, allowing Nord CE 5G users to quickly top up their battery during short breaks, whereas A73 5G users will need to plan for longer charging times.
❓ Are there any significant differences in software experience between Oppo's ColorOS and OnePlus' OxygenOS?
While both are based on Android, OxygenOS (on the Nord CE 5G) is generally considered closer to stock Android, offering a cleaner and more streamlined user experience. ColorOS (on the A73 5G) includes more pre-installed apps and customization options, which some users may find bloatware or overwhelming.