OnePlus Nord 5 vs Realme 7: A Detailed Comparison of Performance, Battery, and Value
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 delivers substantially better performance and efficiency, coupled with significantly faster 80W charging. While the Realme 7 remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers, the Nord 5 offers a more future-proof and enjoyable experience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 7 (Global) | OnePlus Nord 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 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-A | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 07 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2020, October 21 | 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 | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | 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 Helio G95 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MC4 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, Realme UI | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 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 | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) 2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | - |
| 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 | - | 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 | 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 (advertised) | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Mist Blue, Mist White | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | RMX2155 | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 126h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: 1474:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -25.9 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 292828(v8) GeekBench: 1681 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Realme 7 (Global)
- More affordable price point
- Respectable battery endurance (126h)
- Acceptable performance for everyday tasks
- Outdated Helio G95 chipset
- Slower 30W charging
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Ultra-fast 80W charging (54 min to full)
- Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
- Higher price tag
- Battery endurance not drastically higher than Realme 7
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1330 nits peak brightness, compared to the Realme 7’s nominal 1474:1 contrast ratio which doesn’t specify peak brightness. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Realme 7’s contrast ratio is respectable, the Nord 5’s higher brightness provides a more vivid and engaging viewing experience. We lack panel technology details for the Realme 7, but the Nord 5’s brightness suggests a more advanced panel, likely AMOLED, offering richer colors and deeper blacks.
Camera Comparison
Context data is limited regarding camera specifics for both devices. However, given the Realme 7’s market positioning, it likely features a more basic camera setup focused on daylight photography. The OnePlus Nord 5, positioned higher in the market, likely incorporates a more sophisticated camera system with larger sensors and improved image processing. Without specific sensor size or aperture information, it’s difficult to make a definitive comparison, but the Nord 5’s price point suggests a more capable camera experience, potentially including features like OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).
Performance
The performance gap between these devices is substantial. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a modern, high-performance chipset featuring a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz. This contrasts sharply with the Realme 7’s Mediatek Helio G95 (12nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s 4nm process node offers significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, reducing throttling during sustained workloads. The Nord 5’s CPU architecture (Cortex-X4, A720, A520) is also a generation ahead, delivering faster processing speeds and improved responsiveness. Gamers and power users will immediately notice the difference.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 offers a compelling battery and charging package. While the Realme 7 boasts a 126-hour endurance rating, the Nord 5 counters with a 49:12 hour endurance and a remarkable 80W wired charging capability, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. The Realme 7’s 30W charging takes 65 minutes for a full charge. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, offering versatile charging options, and even includes 5W reverse wired charging. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s efficiency further contributes to the Nord 5’s impressive battery life, despite potentially having a smaller battery capacity (not specified in the data).
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme 7 (Global) if you prioritize affordability and a long-lasting battery with acceptable performance for everyday tasks. It's ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and occasionally play less demanding games. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand smooth performance for gaming and demanding applications, appreciate faster charging speeds, and value a brighter, more vibrant display. It's the better choice for power users and those seeking a more premium experience.