The Oppo Reno3, released in 2020, represented a strong value proposition in its time. Now, with the release of the OnePlus Nord 5, featuring the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the landscape has shifted. This comparison dissects the key differences, helping you determine if the Nord 5’s advancements justify the likely price premium over the aging Reno3.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly superior performance and efficiency, coupled with blazing-fast 80W charging and a brighter display. While the Reno3 remains a viable budget option, the Nord 5 offers a substantially improved experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - International | 1, 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 |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 - APAC | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 17. Released 2020, March 17 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.2 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6779 Helio P90 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GM9446 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 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 |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
13 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.4", 1.0µm, 2x optical zoom, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP B/W, f/2.4 | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 30 min, 100% in 73 min | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4025 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Midnight Black, Aurora Blue, Sky White | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | CPH2043 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 440 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
- More affordable price point
- Potentially lighter and more compact design (based on Reno series history)
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Outdated chipset with limited performance
- Slower charging speeds
- Likely inferior camera performance
OnePlus Nord 5
- Significantly faster and more efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- Blazing-fast 80W charging with multiple protocols
- Brighter and more vibrant display
- Superior battery endurance
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger and heavier design
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the Reno3’s unspecified brightness. This translates to vastly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Reno3’s panel specifics are unknown, the Nord 5’s high brightness, combined with likely superior color calibration, offers a more immersive viewing experience. The Nord 5’s display technology is also likely to include features like higher refresh rates (not specified in the data, but standard for this tier) which the Reno3 lacks.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Reno3’s age, it’s likely to feature a less sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially smaller sensor sizes. The Nord 5, benefiting from newer technology, likely incorporates advanced computational photography features and potentially larger sensors for improved low-light performance and dynamic range. The Reno3’s camera is likely to struggle in challenging lighting conditions compared to the Nord 5.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Oppo Reno3’s MediaTek Helio P90 (12nm) is a capable mid-range processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with Cortex-A75 and A55 cores. However, the OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is in a different league. The 4nm process node provides significantly better power efficiency, reducing thermal throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s CPU, with its Cortex-X4 prime core and newer A720/A520 cores, delivers a substantial performance uplift in both single-core and multi-core tasks. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5’s battery endurance is a standout feature, offering 49:12 hours of total usage and 13:47 hours of active use. While the Reno3’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior chipset efficiency and optimized software contribute to its impressive longevity. Crucially, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging, with support for 33W PPS and 18W PD, replenishes the battery to 100% in just 54 minutes – a massive improvement over the Reno3’s 73-minute full charge time. The Nord 5 also offers 5W reverse wired charging, a convenience feature absent in the Reno3.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno3 if you prioritize affordability and a lightweight design, and your usage primarily revolves around basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. You’re willing to accept compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a smooth, responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and value fast charging and a vibrant display. You’re willing to pay a premium for future-proofing and a more refined user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 handle demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a powerful chipset capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings with stable frame rates. Its 4nm process and advanced cooling solutions (not specified, but typical for this tier) minimize thermal throttling, ensuring a consistent gaming experience.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5 support wireless charging, and how does its charging compare to other 80W devices?
The provided data does not mention wireless charging support for the OnePlus Nord 5. However, its 80W wired charging is exceptionally fast, placing it among the quickest charging smartphones available. The inclusion of 33W PPS and 18W PD ensures compatibility with a wider range of chargers and accessories.
❓ Is the Helio P90 in the Oppo Reno3 still adequate for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Helio P90 is still capable of handling everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking. However, you may experience noticeable slowdowns when opening multiple apps or performing more demanding operations. It's a functional processor, but it's showing its age compared to newer chipsets.
