Oppo A96 (China) vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Deep Dive into the Snapdragon 695 Experience

Both the Oppo A96 (China) and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G target the competitive mid-range 5G market, relying on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset to deliver a balance of performance and efficiency. This comparison dissects the nuances between these two devices, focusing on where their similarities end and their individual strengths begin, ultimately helping you determine which phone best suits your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing a streamlined software experience and potentially faster updates, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G emerges as the slightly better choice. While both phones share the same Snapdragon 695 chipset and 33W charging, OnePlus' OxygenOS offers a cleaner interface and a more established update track record.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo A96 (China) OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 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, 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, 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 / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2022, January 122022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, January 12Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 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
Weight171 g (6.03 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HDR)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, ColorOS 12Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, PD, 100% in 63 min Reverse wired33W wired
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, PinkBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
ModelsPFUM10CPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 280 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Oppo A96 (China)

  • 33W fast charging with PD support
  • Reverse wired charging capability
  • Potentially optimized ColorOS for the Chinese market

  • ColorOS may not appeal to all users
  • Software update support may be less consistent than OnePlus

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Cleaner OxygenOS software experience
  • Potentially faster and more consistent software updates
  • Established brand reputation for user experience

  • Lacks reverse wired charging
  • May be slightly more expensive than the Oppo A96 (China)

Display Comparison

Both devices lack detailed display specifications in the provided data. However, given their market positioning, we can infer both likely utilize LCD panels. The absence of information regarding refresh rates (beyond standard 60Hz) suggests neither prioritizes a fluid visual experience. Bezels are likely comparable, typical of this price segment. Color accuracy will likely be adequate for everyday use, but not geared towards professional content creation.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent beyond the fact that both phones likely feature multi-camera setups. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given the price point, we can expect the primary sensors to be in the 48MP-64MP range. Image processing will likely differ, with Oppo's ColorOS typically favoring more vibrant, saturated colors, while OnePlus' OxygenOS aims for a more natural look. The inclusion of 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality.

Performance

The core of both phones is the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) chipset, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. This means CPU performance will be virtually identical between the two. The 6nm process node ensures reasonable power efficiency. RAM configurations are not specified, but will significantly impact multitasking capabilities. Thermal management will likely be similar, with both phones potentially exhibiting throttling under sustained heavy loads, though the lack of a vapor chamber or advanced cooling solutions is expected.

Battery Life

Both the Oppo A96 (China) and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G support 33W wired charging, achieving a full charge in approximately 63 minutes according to Oppo's data. The A96 also offers reverse wired charging, a feature absent from the provided specs for the Nord CE 2 Lite. Battery capacity is not specified, but a typical range for this segment is 4500mAh to 5000mAh. The 33W charging speed provides a reasonable balance between charging time and convenience, making both phones suitable for all-day use for moderate users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo A96 (China) if you need a reliable 5G phone with fast charging and are comfortable with Oppo's ColorOS interface, potentially benefiting from regional optimizations. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prefer a cleaner, more responsive software experience with OxygenOS, and value a brand known for consistent software updates and a more minimalist aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but demanding titles like PUBG Mobile will likely require reduced graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. Expect playable performance at medium settings, but don't anticipate a flagship-level gaming experience on either device.
❓ Is the 33W charging speed sufficient for quick top-ups throughout the day?
Yes, 33W charging is a respectable speed for this price range. Both phones should be able to gain a significant charge (e.g., 50% in around 30 minutes) making it convenient to quickly top up the battery during short breaks.
❓ How does ColorOS on the Oppo A96 (China) differ from OxygenOS on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G?
ColorOS is known for its extensive customization options and often features a more vibrant, saturated color profile. OxygenOS, on the other hand, prioritizes a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic and aims for a smoother, more responsive user experience. OxygenOS also generally receives faster software updates.
❓ Will either phone receive major Android version updates beyond its initial release?
Given the mid-range positioning of both devices, guaranteed long-term software support is limited. OnePlus typically offers at least one major Android update, while Oppo's update policy can vary. Checking the manufacturers' official websites for specific commitments is recommended.