Oppo Reno3 Youth vs OnePlus Nord 5: A Deep Dive into Performance and Value

The Oppo Reno3 Youth offered a compelling entry into 5G connectivity, but now faces a newer contender: the OnePlus Nord 5. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two devices, focusing on the generational leap in processing power and the impact on everyday use, from gaming to battery endurance.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly superior performance, coupled with blazing-fast 80W charging and impressive battery endurance. While the Reno3 Youth remains a viable budget option, the Nord 5 justifies its price premium with a substantial upgrade in key areas.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno3 Youth 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, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 34, 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 bands1, 41, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (1.9 Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO -
Launch
Announced2020, February 08. Released 2020, February 142025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions160.3 x 74.3 x 8 mm (6.31 x 2.93 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
Weight180 g (6.35 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.0% 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 (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 735
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 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/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/3.2", 1.4µm 2 MP B/W, f/2.4, 1/5.0", 1.75µm Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps; gyro-EIS, OIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm50 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
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, BDS (B1I+B2a), GALILEO, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioUnspecifiedNo
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
Charging30W wired, 50% in 20 min80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 4025 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsWhite, Black, GoldPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsPCLM50CPH2709
PriceAbout 400 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 Reno3 Youth

  • More affordable price point
  • Supports 5G connectivity
  • Decent performance for basic tasks

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Slower charging speeds
  • Likely inferior display quality

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging
  • Impressive battery life and endurance

  • Higher price tag
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Larger size and weight compared to Reno3 Youth (assumed)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1330 nits. This is a substantial improvement over what we'd expect from the Reno3 Youth, offering superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Reno3 Youth's display specs aren't provided, the Nord 5's brightness alone makes it the better choice for outdoor use. The Nord 5 likely utilizes a more advanced panel technology, potentially LTPO, contributing to better power efficiency and smoother refresh rates, though this isn't explicitly stated.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Reno3 Youth, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 benefits from the processing power of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, enabling faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance. The Reno3 Youth likely relies on the Snapdragon 765G's ISP, which is less capable. We can assume the Nord 5 will offer more advanced computational photography features. The absence of sensor details for the Reno3 Youth makes it difficult to assess image quality, but the Nord 5's chipset provides a strong foundation for a superior camera experience.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno3 Youth utilizes the Qualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G (7nm), while the OnePlus Nord 5 features the newer SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm). This represents a significant architectural leap. The 8s Gen 3's Cortex-X4 prime core, clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers substantially higher single-core performance than the Reno3 Youth's Kryo 475 Prime. The 4nm process node of the 8s Gen 3 also provides superior thermal efficiency, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Nord 5's CPU configuration (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720, 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) is optimized for both performance and efficiency, a clear advantage over the Reno3 Youth's octa-core setup.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in battery performance, boasting a 49:12h endurance rating and a 13:47h active use score. This is a testament to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and likely optimized software. While the Reno3 Youth's battery capacity isn't specified, the Nord 5's charging speed is a game-changer. 80W wired charging, with support for 33W PPS and 18W PD, can fully charge the device in just 54 minutes. The Reno3 Youth's 30W charging, while respectable, is significantly slower. The Nord 5 also offers 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, adding to its versatility.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno3 Youth if you prioritize affordability and basic 5G connectivity for everyday tasks like browsing and social media. It's a good choice for users on a tight budget who don't require demanding performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you value performance, fast charging, and long battery life. This phone is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who wants a smooth, responsive experience that can handle demanding applications.

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 the OnePlus Nord 5's thermal management system are designed to mitigate overheating. While some warmth is expected during prolonged gaming, the chipset is significantly more efficient than the Snapdragon 765G in the Reno3 Youth, resulting in less throttling and more consistent performance.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compare to the 30W charging on the Reno3 Youth in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Nord 5 can fully charge from 0-100% in approximately 54 minutes, while the Reno3 Youth will take considerably longer. This means less downtime and more time using your phone, especially beneficial for power users.
❓ Is the bypass charging feature on the OnePlus Nord 5 useful?
Yes, bypass charging allows the phone to be powered directly from the charger, bypassing the battery. This reduces heat generation while gaming or during long work sessions, potentially extending the battery's lifespan.