OnePlus Nord 5 vs Oppo Reno2: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The Oppo Reno2, released several years ago, remains a viable option for budget-conscious users. However, the newer OnePlus Nord 5 arrives with a significant chipset and charging technology upgrade. This comparison dissects the key differences between these two devices, focusing on how those differences translate into real-world user experience.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers substantially improved performance, and the 80W charging is a game-changer. While the Reno2 boasts respectable endurance, the Nord 5’s faster charging and more powerful processor justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno2 OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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
Announced2019, August 28. Released 2019, September2025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions160 x 74.3 x 9.5 mm (6.30 x 2.93 x 0.37 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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 104.1 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLEDSwift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 470 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 470 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SDM730 Snapdragon 730G (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 618Adreno 735
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), planned upgrade to Android 10, ColorOS 7.0Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 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
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 13 MP, f/2.4, 53mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, PDAF, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS); video rec. only with main camera4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRPanorama
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 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
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, 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 wired80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAh, non-removableMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsLuminous Black, Ocean Blue, Sunset PinkPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsPCKM70, PCKT00, PCKM00, CPH1907CPH2709
PriceAbout 500 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -92.9dB / Crosstalk -92.4dB-
Battery life Endurance rating 102h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker Voice 67dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 81dB -
Performance AnTuTu: 214097 (v7), 261990 (v8) GeekBench: 7001 (v4.4) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

Oppo Reno2

  • Excellent battery endurance (102h)
  • Lower price point
  • Reliable performance for basic tasks

  • Significantly slower charging (20W)
  • Outdated chipset (Snapdragon 730G)
  • Lower display brightness

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Blazing-fast 80W charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
  • High display brightness (1330 nits)

  • Higher price
  • Slightly lower endurance rating compared to Reno2 (though offset by faster charging)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5’s display is a substantial upgrade over the Reno2. With a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits, the Nord 5 offers excellent visibility even in direct sunlight, a stark contrast to the Reno2’s 509 nits. While both displays have an infinite (nominal) contrast ratio, the Nord 5’s higher brightness provides a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. We lack information on panel technology (LTPO, AMOLED) for the Reno2, but the Nord 5’s superior brightness alone makes it the winner for outdoor use and HDR content consumption.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are missing for the Reno2. Assuming a typical Reno2 camera setup for its time, the Nord 5 likely offers superior image quality due to its more modern image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The ISP handles noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image processing. Without specific sensor details for the Reno2, it’s difficult to make a definitive statement, but the Nord 5’s chipset advantage suggests better low-light performance and more advanced features.

Performance

The chipset difference is the most significant factor in this comparison. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a generational leap over the Oppo Reno2’s Snapdragon 730G (8nm). The 8s Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside A720 and A520 cores, offering significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. The 4nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. The Reno2’s Kryo 470 cores are simply outmatched, making the Nord 5 the clear choice for gaming and demanding applications.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a remarkable charging speed of 80W, capable of fully charging the device in just 54 minutes. This is a massive improvement over the Reno2’s 20W charging. While the Reno2 has an endurance rating of 102 hours, the Nord 5’s active use score of 13:47h and 49:12h endurance, combined with its faster charging, provides a more convenient user experience. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS, 18W PD, and 5W reverse wired charging, offering greater versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno2 if you prioritize long battery life and are on a very tight budget, and don't require demanding performance for gaming or intensive tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you value speed, responsiveness, and incredibly fast charging, and are willing to spend more for a significantly improved user experience. The Nord 5 is ideal for gamers, content creators, and anyone who frequently uses demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5 get noticeably warmer than the Oppo Reno2 during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 is more powerful, and therefore generates more heat. However, the 4nm process node and likely improved thermal management in the Nord 5 should mitigate excessive heat buildup, preventing significant throttling. The Reno2’s Snapdragon 730G will likely remain cooler, but at the cost of performance.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the Nord 5 compared to the 20W charging on the Reno2 in a real-world scenario?
The 80W charging on the Nord 5 can fully charge the device in approximately 54 minutes. The Reno2’s 20W charging would likely take over 2 hours to achieve a full charge. This difference is substantial and significantly improves convenience, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Snapdragon 730G noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chipsets can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 provides a much smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times will be faster, multitasking will be more fluid, and animations will be more seamless. The difference is most noticeable when switching between apps or performing multiple tasks simultaneously.