The Realme 7 (Asia) represented a strong value proposition in its time, leveraging the Helio G95 for solid gaming performance. Now, the OnePlus Nord 5 enters the arena with Qualcomm’s newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, promising a significant leap in processing power and efficiency. This comparison dissects these two devices to determine which offers the best experience for today’s user.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers substantially faster performance and improved efficiency, complemented by a brighter display and significantly faster 80W charging. While the Realme 7 remains a viable budget option, the Nord 5 justifies its higher price with a more future-proof 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, 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 03. Released 2020, September 10 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 162.3 x 75.4 x 9.4 mm (6.39 x 2.97 x 0.37 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 | 196.5 g (6.95 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 (~405 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 480 nits (typ) | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 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) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6785V/CD Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, Realme UI 2.0 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | Panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30/120fps | 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 | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (Indonesia only) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 26 min, 100% in 65 min | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Mist Blue, Mist White | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | RMX2151, RMX2163 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 170 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | 0.99 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Loudspeaker |
-25.9 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Realme 7 (Asia)
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- 30W fast charging is still respectable
- Significantly slower processor than the Nord 5
- Lower display brightness
- Less efficient power consumption
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Much brighter and likely more accurate display
- Ultra-fast 80W charging with multiple protocols
- Higher price tag
- May be overkill for basic users
- Potentially larger physical size
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1330 nits compared to the Realme 7’s 525 nits. This translates to vastly improved visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both displays offer adequate contrast (1474:1 for Realme 7, 1330:1 implied for Nord 5 based on typical OLED performance), the Nord 5’s higher peak brightness is a clear advantage. We lack panel technology details for both, but the Nord 5 likely utilizes a more modern OLED panel with potentially better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference indirectly impacts camera performance. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is significantly more advanced than the Helio G95’s, enabling faster image processing, better noise reduction, and improved dynamic range. While both phones likely feature similar sensor resolutions in their main cameras, the Nord 5 will likely produce superior image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume the Nord 5 will have more advanced computational photography features.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 7’s MediaTek Helio G95 (12nm) is a capable processor, featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. However, the OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is in a different league. The 4nm process node provides superior power efficiency, and the CPU configuration – 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4, 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720, and 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520 – offers a substantial performance uplift, particularly in single-core tasks. This means faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the Nord 5. The newer architecture also benefits from improved GPU performance, making it a better choice for graphically intensive games.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in battery performance, boasting a 49:12h endurance rating and a 13:47h active use score. This suggests a larger battery capacity and/or more efficient power management. While the Realme 7’s battery capacity is unknown, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging (with 33W PPS and 18W PD support) is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. The Realme 7’s 30W charging takes 65 minutes to reach 100%, a noticeable difference. The Nord 5 also offers 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging, features absent in the Realme 7.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7 (Asia) if you prioritize affordability and are looking for a capable everyday phone for basic tasks and casual gaming. It’s a good fit for users on a tight budget who don’t need the latest and greatest performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a smoother, faster experience for demanding apps, gaming, and content creation. It’s ideal for power users who value long-term performance and rapid charging.
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 demanding games at high settings with smooth frame rates. Its advanced GPU and efficient thermal design minimize throttling during extended gaming sessions, providing a consistently enjoyable experience.
❓ How much of a real-world difference will the faster charging make on the OnePlus Nord 5?
The 80W charging on the Nord 5 is a significant time saver. Going from 0% to 100% in just 54 minutes is considerably faster than the Realme 7’s 65 minutes. This is particularly useful for users who frequently find themselves needing to quickly top up their battery before heading out.
❓ Does the Realme 7 support software updates and security patches?
Software update support for the Realme 7 may be limited at this point, given its age. While it likely received initial updates, ongoing security patches and major Android version upgrades are less certain compared to the newer OnePlus Nord 5, which will benefit from a longer support lifecycle.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G95 and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both phones can handle everyday tasks, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. App loading times are faster, multitasking is more fluid, and animations are more consistent, resulting in a more premium feel.
