Oppo A96 vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and 5G connectivity, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the stronger choice. Its Dimensity 900 chipset delivers a noticeable uplift in processing power, making it better suited for demanding apps and gaming. However, the Oppo A96’s efficient Snapdragon 680 offers excellent battery life and a smoother experience for everyday tasks.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Oppo A96 | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G |
| 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, 34, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| IP5X (dust), IPX4 (water) resistance | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 16 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 16 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.7 x 8.4 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired, PD, 50% in 26 min Reverse wired | 65W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Sunset Blue | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | CPH2333 | IV2201 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Oppo A96
- Excellent power efficiency with Snapdragon 680
- 33W fast charging with reverse wired charging
- Potentially longer battery life for everyday use
- Less powerful chipset for demanding tasks
- Limited 5G performance compared to the Nord CE 2 5G
- Likely less advanced camera processing
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Faster Dimensity 900 chipset for improved performance
- 65W SuperVOOC charging for rapid replenishment
- Enhanced 5G connectivity and speeds
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful chipset
- May run warmer under heavy load
- Higher price point compared to the Oppo A96
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor OnePlus provide display specs beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, both likely utilize IPS LCD panels given the price point. The key difference lies in the processing power needed to drive them. The Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G has a more powerful GPU, potentially enabling smoother animations and better graphics rendering. While both will likely offer similar color accuracy, the Nord CE 2 5G’s chipset could handle HDR content more effectively.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Dimensity 900’s integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally more capable than the Snapdragon 680’s. This translates to better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The Nord CE 2 5G is likely to offer superior video recording capabilities as well. The Oppo A96 will likely focus on basic photography, while the Nord CE 2 5G aims for a more versatile camera experience.
Performance
The core distinction here is the chipset architecture. The Oppo A96’s Snapdragon 680 employs four Cortex-A78 cores at 2.4 GHz alongside four efficiency cores, built on a 6nm process. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, however, features two high-performance Cortex-A78 cores at 2.4 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores, also on a 6nm process. This configuration gives the Nord CE 2 5G a significant advantage in multi-threaded tasks and sustained performance. While both chips are 6nm, the Dimensity 900’s core configuration is geared towards more demanding workloads. The Snapdragon 680 prioritizes efficiency, resulting in lower temperatures and potentially longer sustained performance under light loads.
Battery Life
The Oppo A96 benefits from the Snapdragon 680’s inherent power efficiency. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the 33W charging suggests a moderate-sized battery. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, with its more powerful Dimensity 900, will likely consume more power. However, it compensates with a significantly faster 65W charging solution, capable of reaching 100% in a much shorter timeframe. The Oppo A96 claims 50% charge in 26 minutes, while the Nord CE 2 5G will likely achieve a full charge in around 35-40 minutes.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A96 if you prioritize long battery life, efficient performance for basic tasks like social media and calls, and a more conservative power draw. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you value faster processing speeds for gaming, multitasking, and 5G connectivity, and are willing to trade some battery life for that performance boost. The Nord CE 2 5G is also the better option for users who frequently use camera features.