The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Oppo Reno5 Z represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take different approaches. The Reno5 Z, with its focus on a streamlined design, faces off against the Nord 2 5G’s emphasis on raw processing power and rapid charging.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset offers a significant performance uplift over the Reno5 Z’s Dimensity 800U, and the 65W SuperVOOC charging dramatically reduces downtime. However, the Reno5 Z remains a viable option for those on a tighter budget.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 04 | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 04 | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.1 x 73.4 x 7.8 mm (6.30 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 800 nits (peak) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, ColorOS 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Auto HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4310 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fluid Black, Cosmo Blue | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | CPH2211 | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 330 EUR | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 102h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-24.3 LUFS (Very good)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9)
GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo Reno5 Z
- More affordable price point
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Capable 5G connectivity
- Less powerful Dimensity 800U chipset
- Slower 30W charging
- Potentially less advanced camera processing
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Significantly faster Dimensity 1200 chipset
- Ultra-fast 65W SuperVOOC charging
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price tag
- May be slightly heavier than the Reno5 Z
- Software experience can be polarizing (OxygenOS)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, providing a noticeably more vibrant viewing experience in direct sunlight compared to the Reno5 Z (brightness data unavailable). While both likely utilize AMOLED panels for rich colors, the Nord 2 5G’s higher brightness is a tangible advantage. Contrast ratios are nominally infinite on both, typical of AMOLED technology. Bezels are expected to be similar, given both phones target a similar market segment, but the Nord 2’s brighter display will be more visible outdoors.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G likely benefits from a more advanced image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Dimensity 1200, potentially leading to better dynamic range and low-light performance. While both may include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, the Nord 2 5G’s superior processing power allows for more sophisticated computational photography. The Reno5 Z’s camera system is likely geared towards social media sharing, while the Nord 2 5G aims for a more versatile photographic experience.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Oppo Reno5 Z’s Dimensity 800U (7nm). The Dimensity 1200 features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, versus the Reno5 Z’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and significantly improved gaming performance. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W SuperVOOC charging can fully charge the battery in just 30 minutes, a massive convenience advantage. The Oppo Reno5 Z’s 30W charging is respectable, but significantly slower. This difference in charging speed effectively mitigates any potential battery capacity discrepancies, making the Nord 2 5G the more practical choice for users who frequently need to top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo Reno5 Z if you need a stylish, capable 5G phone for everyday tasks and prioritize a more affordable price point. It’s ideal for social media users, casual gamers, and those who don’t demand the absolute fastest performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prefer a phone that can handle demanding games, multitasking, and benefit from incredibly fast charging – making it perfect for power users and content creators.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G get noticeably warmer than the Dimensity 800U in the Reno5 Z during extended gaming sessions?
While both chipsets are efficient, the Dimensity 1200’s higher performance ceiling means it *can* generate more heat under sustained load. However, the 6nm process node and OnePlus’s thermal management system are designed to mitigate this, and generally, the Nord 2 5G maintains stable performance for longer periods without significant throttling compared to what the Reno5 Z can achieve.
❓ Is the difference in charging speed between 30W and 65W truly that impactful in daily use?
Absolutely. The 65W SuperVOOC charging on the Nord 2 5G allows you to go from 0% to 100% in approximately 30 minutes. This is a game-changer for users who frequently find themselves with low battery and need a quick top-up. The Reno5 Z’s 30W charging will take considerably longer, potentially over an hour, making it less convenient for on-the-go lifestyles.
❓ How does the software experience differ between OxygenOS on the Nord 2 5G and ColorOS on the Reno5 Z?
OxygenOS (Nord 2 5G) is generally favored for its cleaner, more stock-Android-like interface and faster updates. ColorOS (Reno5 Z) offers more customization options and features, but can sometimes feel bloated with pre-installed apps. The choice depends on personal preference – some users prefer the simplicity of OxygenOS, while others appreciate the added functionality of ColorOS.
