Realme 8s 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: The Ultimate Budget Showdown

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is booming, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme 8s 5G and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. Both promise 5G connectivity and a smooth experience, but which one truly delivers?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Realme 8s 5G edges out the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G thanks to its superior display, potentially better camera performance, and the more powerful Dimensity 810 chipset. However, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G offers a clean software experience and might appeal to those prioritizing simplicity.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme 8s 5G OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, September 092022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, September 13Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.5 x 74.8 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.94 x 0.35 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, Realme UI 2.0Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired33W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue, PurpleBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
ModelsRMX3381CPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 210 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 123h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: 1384:1 (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.8 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 329661 (v8), 383409 (v9) GeekBench: 7314 (v4.4), 1842 (v5.1) GFXBench: 14fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Realme 8s 5G

  • Superior Display (Brightness & Contrast)
  • More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 810)
  • Potentially Better Camera Performance
  • Sleek Design

  • Realme UI can be a bit cluttered
  • Software updates may be slower compared to OnePlus

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Clean OxygenOS Software Experience
  • Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
  • Good Value for Money
  • Consistent Performance

  • Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 695)
  • Dimmer Display
  • Potentially Inferior Camera

Display Comparison

The Realme 8s 5G boasts a significantly higher contrast ratio (1322:1 measured vs 1384:1 nominal) and a brighter display (530 nits vs likely around 400-450 nits for the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G). This translates to more vibrant colors and better visibility in sunlight. Both phones likely feature AMOLED panels, offering excellent blacks and viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer 'Photo / Video' capabilities, the Realme 8s 5G is expected to have a slight edge in image quality, particularly in low light. The Dimensity 810's ISP (Image Signal Processor) is generally considered more capable. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would be needed for a more precise comparison, but initial impressions suggest the Realme has the advantage.

Performance

The Realme 8s 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 810 generally outperforms the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G in benchmarks and real-world usage. The Dimensity 810's Cortex-A76 cores provide a noticeable boost in performance for demanding tasks and gaming. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is still capable for everyday use, but may struggle with more intensive applications.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 33W wired charging, promising relatively quick top-ups. The endurance rating of 123h suggests comparable battery life for both devices, though real-world usage will vary.

Buying Guide

The Realme 8s 5G is ideal for users who prioritize a vibrant display, a slightly more powerful processor for gaming and multitasking, and a potentially better camera. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a good choice for those seeking a streamlined OxygenOS experience, a reliable all-rounder, and a focus on essential features.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Realme 8s 5G generally offers better gaming performance due to its more powerful Dimensity 810 chipset.
❓ Is the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G easy to use?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is known for its clean and user-friendly OxygenOS software, making it easy to navigate and use.