OnePlus Nord 5 vs. Oppo A91: A Generational Leap in Performance and Charging

The Oppo A91 represents a previous generation of mid-range smartphones, while the OnePlus Nord 5 arrives with a modern Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and a focus on rapid charging. This comparison dissects the core differences, revealing a substantial gap in performance and features, and helping you determine if the Nord 5’s advancements justify its likely higher price point.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the vast majority of users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset offers dramatically improved performance, coupled with incredibly fast 80W charging and impressive battery endurance. The Oppo A91 remains a viable option only for those on an extremely tight budget.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A91 OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International1, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China-
Launch
Announced2019, December 20. Released 2019, December2025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions160.2 x 73.3 x 7.9 mm (6.31 x 2.89 x 0.31 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
Weight172 g (6.07 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~408 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 100.4 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 430 nits (typ)Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.1 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771V Helio P70 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 735
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 11, ColorOS 11Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)No
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 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/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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 YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired, 50% in 30 min80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 4025 mAh, non-removableMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsLightening Black, Unicorn White, Blazing Blue, RedPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsPCPM00, CPH2001, CPH2021CPH2709
PriceAbout 200 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

Oppo A91

  • Extremely affordable price point
  • Functional for basic smartphone tasks
  • Acceptable battery life for light users

  • Outdated processor and architecture
  • Slow charging speed
  • Likely inferior camera performance

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Impressive battery endurance (49:12h)
  • Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)

  • Higher price compared to the Oppo A91
  • May be overkill for basic smartphone users
  • Potential for software bloat (typical of OnePlus)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the Oppo A91’s unspecified brightness. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While the A91’s panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s brightness suggests a more advanced IPS or AMOLED panel. The Nord 5’s higher brightness also implies better HDR performance, enhancing video playback. Bezels are likely slimmer on the Nord 5, reflecting its more recent design.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Oppo A91, a direct comparison is limited. However, given its market positioning, it likely features a less sophisticated camera system. The OnePlus Nord 5, while details are missing, benefits from the image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, enabling improved image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The Nord 5 is likely to offer better low-light performance and more advanced features like improved portrait mode and video stabilization. The A91’s camera is likely focused on basic photography, while the Nord 5 aims for a more versatile and higher-quality experience.

Performance

The performance disparity is stark. The Oppo A91’s Mediatek Helio P70 (12nm) utilizes older Cortex-A73 and A53 cores, while the OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) features the latest Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 cores. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, minimizing throttling during sustained workloads. The Nord 5’s CPU architecture is a generational leap forward, resulting in significantly faster app launch times, smoother multitasking, and a far more capable gaming experience. The A91 will struggle with demanding titles, while the Nord 5 can handle most modern games at high settings.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is a standout feature, achieving 49:12 hours of total usage and 13:47 hours of active use. While the A91’s battery capacity is unknown, its Helio P70 chipset is less power-efficient. The Nord 5’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes, alongside 33W PPS and 18W PD support. The A91’s 20W charging is considerably slower, taking approximately 30 minutes to reach 50%. The Nord 5 also offers 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, features absent on the A91.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A91 if you need a functional smartphone on the absolute lowest budget and prioritize basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize performance for gaming and demanding apps, require fast charging, and value a brighter, more modern display. The Nord 5 is for users who want a smooth, responsive experience that will last for years.

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 and efficient thermal design minimize throttling. While some heat is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nord 5 is designed to maintain stable performance for extended periods, unlike the Helio P70 in the A91 which would likely throttle significantly.
❓ Is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 safe for the battery's long-term health?
OnePlus employs sophisticated charging algorithms and safety mechanisms to protect the battery during fast charging. The Nord 5 also boasts 1200 charge cycles, indicating a robust battery designed to withstand frequent fast charging without significant degradation. The A91's slower charging won't necessarily extend battery life, as battery degradation is more tied to overall usage and temperature.
❓ Will the Oppo A91 receive future software updates?
Given the A91's age, it's unlikely to receive major Android version updates. Security patches may be limited. The OnePlus Nord 5, being a newer device, is guaranteed to receive several years of software support and security updates.