Realme V15 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The Realme V15 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity at an accessible price point, they diverge in their core hardware choices – specifically, their chipsets and charging implementations. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Realme V15 5G emerges as the winner. Its Mediatek Dimensity 800U chipset, built on a 7nm process, offers a slight edge in CPU and GPU performance, coupled with significantly faster 50W charging. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G remains a strong contender for those valuing a potentially more refined software experience and similar battery endurance.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme V15 5G OnePlus Nord CE 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2021, January 072021, June 10
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, January 15Available. Released 2021, June 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm / 8.3 mm159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight176 g / 179 g (6.21 oz)170 g (6.00 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak)Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10, Realme UIAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 2.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30/60fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging50W wired, 50% in 18 min, 100% in 47 min30W wired, 70% in 30 min
Type4310 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Silver, Nebula, BlueBlue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray
Models-EB2101, EB2103
PriceAbout 190 EURAbout 250 EUR
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 117h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -29.9 LUFS (Average)
Performance- AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme V15 5G

  • Faster 50W charging significantly reduces downtime.
  • Mediatek Dimensity 800U offers a slight performance edge.
  • 7nm process potentially leads to better thermal management.

  • Display specifications are unknown, potentially lagging behind the Nord CE 5G.
  • Software experience may not be as refined as OnePlus’ OxygenOS.

OnePlus Nord CE 5G

  • Brighter display (607 nits) for better outdoor visibility.
  • Potentially smoother software experience with OxygenOS.
  • Efficient Snapdragon 750G chipset on an 8nm process.

  • Slower 30W charging compared to the Realme V15 5G.
  • Slightly lower CPU clock speeds may result in marginally slower performance.

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a display capable of reaching 607 nits of peak brightness, a figure measured in our testing. While the Realme V15 5G’s display specifications aren’t provided, the Nord CE 5G’s brightness level ensures good visibility even in outdoor conditions. Both phones feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. Without further data on the Realme V15 5G’s panel technology (e.g., refresh rate, PWM dimming), the Nord CE 5G holds a slight advantage due to its confirmed brightness.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack specific details regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). Without this information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, it’s likely both phones rely on similar sensor configurations. The absence of details suggests neither phone is a standout performer in the camera department, focusing instead on providing adequate imaging capabilities for social media and casual use. We can assume both will feature a multi-camera setup, but the quality will likely depend more on software processing than hardware prowess.

Performance

The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme V15 5G utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 800U, fabricated on a 7nm process, featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G, conversely, employs the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G, built on a more efficient 8nm process, with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. While the Snapdragon 750G benefits from the more advanced 8nm node potentially offering better efficiency, the Dimensity 800U’s higher clock speeds on its performance cores suggest a slight edge in raw processing power, particularly in CPU-intensive tasks. The 7nm process of the Dimensity 800U also suggests potentially better thermal headroom under sustained load.

Battery Life

Both the Realme V15 5G and OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating comparable battery life under typical usage scenarios. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Realme V15 5G supports 50W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% charge in just 18 minutes and a full charge in 47 minutes. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G, with its 30W wired charging, takes longer, reaching 70% in 30 minutes. This faster charging on the Realme V15 5G is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme V15 5G if you need a phone that charges incredibly quickly and offers a noticeable performance boost for demanding apps and games. This is the phone for users who frequently find themselves needing to top up their battery and enjoy mobile gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prefer a potentially smoother software experience, prioritizing a balanced package with good battery life and a respectable, if not class-leading, performance profile. This phone is ideal for everyday users who value reliability and a clean user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 800U in the Realme V15 5G struggle with sustained gaming performance?
While the Snapdragon 750G is known for its efficiency, the Dimensity 800U’s 7nm process and higher core clock speeds suggest it can handle sustained gaming reasonably well. However, thermal throttling could become a factor during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to frame rate drops. Real-world performance will depend on the phone’s cooling solution.
❓ How does the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G compare to other phones in its price range?
30W charging is fairly standard for phones in this price bracket, but it's noticeably slower than the 50W charging offered by the Realme V15 5G. While 30W is still respectable, users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery will find the Realme's charging speed more convenient.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Dimensity 800U and Snapdragon 750G noticeable in everyday tasks?
For typical everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and video streaming, the difference in performance between the two chipsets is unlikely to be significant. Both phones will provide a smooth and responsive experience. The performance gap will become more apparent in demanding applications like gaming or video editing.