Realme Q5 vs OnePlus Nord 2T: A Detailed Comparison for Budget 5G Buyers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the stronger contender. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset delivers noticeably superior performance, and the 80W SuperVOOC charging is a significant advantage. While the Realme Q5 offers a competitive price, the Nord 2T’s overall package justifies the price difference.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme Q5 | OnePlus Nord 2T |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA |
| 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 | 2022, April 20 | 2022, May 19 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 28 | Available. Released 2022, May 21 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 600 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| - | UFS 3.1 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 27mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | Auto HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 32 MP, f/2.4, (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 |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | 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 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 | 65W wired, 100% in 48 min | 80W wired, PD |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Silver, Yellow | Gray Shadow, Jade Fog |
| Models | RMX3478 | CPH2399, CPH2401 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | € 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 100h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - | -25.6 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | - | AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme Q5
- More affordable price point
- Efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset for everyday tasks
- Competitive 65W fast charging
- Significantly less powerful than the Dimensity 1300
- Display specifications are less impressive
OnePlus Nord 2T
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset
- Faster 80W SuperVOOC charging with PD
- Brighter display for better outdoor visibility
- Higher price compared to the Realme Q5
- May experience slightly more heat under sustained load
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 636 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Realme Q5. While both utilize 6nm chipsets, the Nord 2T’s brighter panel enhances outdoor visibility. The Nord 2T’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED experience, offering deep blacks. The Realme Q5’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potentially less vibrant viewing experience. Bezels and panel technology (LTPO) are not specified for either device, making a direct comparison difficult, but the Nord 2T’s brightness gives it an edge.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking. The absence of specific sensor sizes and apertures makes a precise comparison challenging. However, the OnePlus Nord 2T, being positioned slightly higher in the market, likely benefits from a more sophisticated image processing pipeline and potentially a larger main sensor. The Realme Q5’s camera system is likely geared towards providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions, while the Nord 2T aims for more consistent performance across various scenarios. We can assume the Nord 2T will have better low-light performance due to its more powerful ISP.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Realme Q5 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, while the OnePlus Nord 2T utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 1300. The Dimensity 1300’s octa-core configuration, with a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 3.0 GHz, significantly outperforms the Snapdragon 695’s 2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive gaming experience on the Nord 2T. While both are built on a 6nm process, the Dimensity 1300’s architecture provides a substantial performance uplift. RAM speed (LPDDR5x) is not specified for either, but the chipset difference is the dominant factor.
Battery Life
Both devices share an endurance rating of 100 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage patterns. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The OnePlus Nord 2T supports 80W SuperVOOC charging with Power Delivery (PD), capable of fully charging the battery in a significantly shorter time than the Realme Q5’s 65W charging, which takes 48 minutes for a full charge. This faster charging is a major convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly. The actual battery capacity (mAh) is not specified for either device, but the charging speed advantage clearly favors the Nord 2T.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Q5 if you prioritize affordability and efficient power consumption for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. It’s ideal for users who don’t demand peak performance. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2T if you value faster processing speeds for demanding apps, gaming, and content creation, and if you appreciate the convenience of incredibly fast charging. It’s the better choice for power users and those who want a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyles.