Realme Narzo 50 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: Which Dimensity Phone Reigns Supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G emerges as the stronger contender. While both phones share a similar price point, the Nord CE 2 5G’s Dimensity 900 chipset and, crucially, its 65W SuperVOOC charging provide a noticeable advantage in daily usability and convenience. The Narzo 50 5G remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme Narzo 50 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| 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 |
| 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 18 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 24 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 600 nits | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 810 (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 65W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Hyper Blue, Hyper Black | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | RMX3572, RMX3571 | IV2201 |
| Price | About 560 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Realme Narzo 50 5G
- More affordable price point
- Decent 5G connectivity
- Functional and reliable performance for basic tasks
- Slower charging speeds (33W)
- Less powerful chipset compared to the Nord CE 2 5G
- Potentially lower camera image quality
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Faster 65W SuperVOOC charging
- More powerful Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset
- Improved image processing capabilities
- Slightly higher price tag
- May not offer a dramatically different experience for very light users
- Still utilizes a plastic build
Display Comparison
Neither Realme nor OnePlus provide display specifications beyond the basic panel type. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize 120Hz LCD panels. The key difference lies in the processing power driving them. The Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G has a more powerful ISP and display engine, potentially resulting in slightly better image processing and color accuracy. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this price segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed sensor information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Dimensity 900’s superior image signal processor (ISP) in the Nord CE 2 5G will likely result in better image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Expect both phones to feature a primary camera, ultrawide, and depth sensor configuration. The Nord CE 2 5G’s ISP is more likely to support advanced features like better HDR processing and noise reduction. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core distinction here is the chipset. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 900, featuring Cortex-A78 cores, offers a demonstrable performance uplift over the Narzo 50 5G’s Dimensity 810 with its Cortex-A76 cores. While both are 6nm chips, the A78 architecture provides better single-core performance, translating to snappier app launches and smoother multitasking. Both phones likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, but the Nord CE 2 5G’s superior chipset will mitigate any RAM-related bottlenecks. Thermal management will be similar, relying on passive cooling solutions.
Battery Life
The Realme Narzo 50 5G features 33W charging, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G boasts a significantly faster 65W SuperVOOC charging solution. This is a critical differentiator. While battery capacity is not specified, the 65W charging on the Nord CE 2 5G will likely deliver a full charge in under 40 minutes, compared to potentially over an hour for the Narzo 50 5G. This convenience factor is substantial for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 50 5G if you need a functional 5G phone at the absolute lowest possible price and aren't concerned with rapid charging or peak performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you prioritize faster charging speeds, a slightly more powerful processor for smoother multitasking, and a generally more polished user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.