OnePlus Nord 5 vs Oppo Reno4 SE: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 5 and Oppo Reno4 SE represent distinct approaches. The Reno4 SE, now a more budget-friendly option, relies on the Mediatek Dimensity 720. The Nord 5, a newer entrant, boasts the significantly more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. This comparison dissects these two phones to determine which delivers the best value and performance for your needs.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift, and the 80W charging, coupled with excellent battery endurance (49:12h), makes it a compelling package. However, the Reno4 SE remains a viable option for budget-conscious users prioritizing affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names Oppo Reno4 SE OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 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, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, September 21. Released 2020, September 242025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions160.5 x 73.9 x 7.9 mm (6.32 x 2.91 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
Weight169 g (5.96 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.2% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 720 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 735
OSAndroid 10, ColorOS 7.2Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.0-
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
Triple48 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-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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
Charging65W wired 5W reverse wired80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, BluePhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsPEAT00, PEAM00CPH2709
PriceAbout 320 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 Reno4 SE

  • More affordable price point
  • 65W fast charging is still respectable
  • Lightweight and compact design (likely)

  • Significantly weaker performance compared to the Nord 5
  • Less efficient chipset
  • Likely inferior camera performance

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Exceptional performance with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
  • Industry-leading 80W charging with multiple protocols
  • Excellent battery life and endurance

  • Higher price tag
  • May be larger and heavier than the Reno4 SE
  • Potential for software bloat (OnePlus history)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 immediately distinguishes itself with a peak brightness of 1330 nits, measured, offering significantly better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the Reno4 SE (brightness data unavailable, but typically lower in this price bracket). While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Nord 5’s higher brightness and potential for a higher refresh rate (not specified, but common in this tier) contribute to a more vibrant and responsive visual experience. The Reno4 SE’s display, while adequate, will likely appear washed out in comparison.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for either device, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) enables faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the Nord 5 will likely excel in low-light photography and video recording due to its superior processing capabilities. The Reno4 SE will likely rely more heavily on software processing to compensate for its less powerful hardware.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Oppo Reno4 SE’s Dimensity 720 (7nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, delivers substantially faster CPU and GPU performance. The Dimensity 720’s Cortex-A76 cores, while capable, are less efficient and offer lower peak performance. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a significantly better gaming experience on the Nord 5. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts impressive battery endurance, achieving 49:12 hours of total usage and 13:47 hours of active use. This is complemented by incredibly fast 80W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% in just 54 minutes, alongside 33W PPS and 18W PD support. The Reno4 SE offers 65W wired charging, which is still fast, but slower than the Nord 5. While the Reno4 SE’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior charging speed and endurance, combined with bypass charging, provide a more convenient and reliable user experience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Oppo Reno4 SE if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media, and your budget is extremely limited. It's a good choice for first-time smartphone owners or those upgrading from very old devices. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you prioritize performance for gaming, demanding apps, and future-proofing, and you value fast charging and long battery life. It's ideal for power users and mobile gamers.

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 Genshin Impact and other graphically intensive games at high settings with stable frame rates. The improved thermal efficiency will also help prevent significant throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ 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, and the inclusion of 33W PPS and 18W PD ensures compatibility with a wider range of chargers. While some 80W implementations prioritize speed over safety, OnePlus typically incorporates robust thermal management to ensure safe and efficient charging.
❓ Is the Dimensity 720 in the Oppo Reno4 SE still adequate for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the Dimensity 720 is perfectly capable of handling everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media, and video streaming. However, it will struggle with more demanding applications and multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.
❓ What is 'bypass charging' on the OnePlus Nord 5, and how does it benefit users?
Bypass charging allows the phone to be powered directly from the charger, bypassing the battery entirely. This reduces heat generation during charging and can help prolong the battery's lifespan by minimizing the time it spends at 100% charge.