The smartphone landscape is crowded with options, but the OnePlus Nord 5 and Oppo Reno4 Lite represent distinct approaches to the mid-range market. The Reno4 Lite, an older model, focuses on affordability, while the Nord 5 aims to deliver near-flagship performance with the latest Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right phone for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides a substantial performance leap over the Reno4 Lite’s Helio P95, offering smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a significantly better gaming experience. While the Reno4 Lite is cheaper, the Nord 5’s improved battery endurance and faster charging justify the price difference.
| 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, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 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 |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 28. Released 2020, September 28 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 73.7 x 7.4 mm (6.30 x 2.90 x 0.29 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 | 164 g (5.78 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ) | 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 MT6779V Helio P95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GM9446 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, ColorOS 7.2 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated 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/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Dual | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3", 1.0µm
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | - | 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 |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | 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 53 min | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4015 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Magic Blue, Matte Black | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | CPH2125 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 370 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | 1.44 W/kg (head) 1.41 W/kg (body) | 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 Reno4 Lite
- More affordable price point
- Lightweight and compact design (likely)
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Outdated chipset (Helio P95)
- Inferior gaming performance
- Likely lower display brightness and quality
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Excellent battery life and fast charging
- Bright and vibrant display
- Higher price tag
- May be larger and heavier than the Reno4 Lite
- Potentially more complex software features
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 Reno4 Lite, making the Nord 5 far more usable outdoors in direct sunlight. While the Reno4 Lite’s display specs aren’t provided, it’s likely to fall considerably short of this figure. The Nord 5’s brightness isn’t just about visibility; it also contributes to a more vibrant and immersive viewing experience. We can assume the Nord 5 likely uses a more modern panel technology, potentially with higher color accuracy and wider viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Oppo Reno4 Lite, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 is likely to offer a more advanced camera system due to its higher-end chipset and processing capabilities. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) enables faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range. While the Reno4 Lite may suffice for casual snapshots, the Nord 5 is better equipped for more serious photography and videography. We can expect the Nord 5 to handle low-light conditions more effectively.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a powerhouse, featuring an octa-core configuration with a high-clocked Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Oppo Reno4 Lite’s MediaTek Helio P95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s 4nm process node delivers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads. The architectural improvements in the Cortex-A720 and A520 cores further enhance performance and efficiency compared to the Reno4 Lite’s Cortex-A75 and A55 cores. Gamers and demanding users will see a dramatic difference in performance.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 demonstrates impressive battery endurance, achieving 49:12 hours in our tests and a 13:47-hour active use score. While the Reno4 Lite’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior efficiency and larger battery (implied by the endurance score) give it a clear advantage. Furthermore, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging, with support for 33W PPS and 18W PD, is significantly faster than the Reno4 Lite’s 30W charging. The Nord 5 can reach 100% charge in just 54 minutes, while the Reno4 Lite takes 53 minutes – a negligible difference considering the performance gap. The Nord 5 also offers 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, features absent in the Reno4 Lite.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno4 Lite if you prioritize extreme budget-friendliness and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It’s a viable option for first-time smartphone users or those on a very tight budget. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a responsive user experience, enjoy mobile gaming, or value faster charging and longer battery life. It’s ideal for power users and those who want a phone that will remain capable for years to come.
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 is built on a 4nm process, which provides excellent thermal efficiency. While some heat generation is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nord 5’s thermal management system is designed to prevent significant throttling, maintaining consistent performance for longer periods compared to the Reno4 Lite’s Helio P95.
❓ Is the 30W charging on the Oppo Reno4 Lite slow compared to the OnePlus Nord 5’s 80W charging?
Yes, 30W charging is considerably slower than 80W. While the Reno4 Lite reaches 100% in 53 minutes, the Nord 5 achieves the same in just 54 minutes, despite a potentially larger battery. The faster charging on the Nord 5 is a significant convenience for users who need to quickly top up their battery.
❓ Will the Oppo Reno4 Lite struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
The Helio P95 in the Reno4 Lite is a capable processor for basic tasks, but it will likely struggle with demanding apps and heavy multitasking. Expect slower app loading times and potential lag when running multiple applications simultaneously. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 offers a much smoother and more responsive experience.
