The sub-$300 5G phone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme V23i and OnePlus Nord N20 5G represent compelling options, but cater to slightly different priorities. The V23i focuses on affordability, while the Nord N20 5G aims for a more refined experience with faster charging and a brighter display. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right phone.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, coupled with 33W fast charging and a significantly brighter 647-nit display, provides a smoother and more convenient user experience, justifying the potential price premium.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, August 25 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, August 25 | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.8 x 75.1 x 8.1 mm (6.45 x 2.96 x 0.32 in) | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Schott Xensation Up |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 104.2 cm2 (~84.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, ColorOS 12 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | Yes | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Yes | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Blue |
| Models | RMX2163C | GN2200, CPH2459 |
| Price | About 270 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 129h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9)
GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Realme V23i
- Lowest possible price point
- 5G connectivity
- Decent battery endurance
- Slow 10W charging
- Likely lower display brightness
- Potentially less powerful chipset
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- Faster 33W charging
- Brighter 647-nit display
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Potentially higher price
- No significant camera advantages (based on available data)
- Still a budget device with inherent limitations
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a clear advantage in display quality, achieving a measured peak brightness of 647 nits. This is crucial for outdoor visibility, a common pain point for budget phones. While both phones share an 'infinite' contrast ratio (typical for OLED/AMOLED panels), the Realme V23i’s display specifications are not provided, suggesting a lower peak brightness and potentially less vibrant colors. The Nord N20 5G’s brighter panel will be noticeably better for media consumption and general use in bright environments.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specifications are limited for both devices. However, given the market positioning, it’s safe to assume both phones rely on budget-friendly sensors. Without knowing the megapixel counts or sensor sizes, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. The focus should be on image processing capabilities, which are proprietary to each brand. The absence of information regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone features it, meaning low-light performance will likely be similar and rely heavily on software algorithms.
Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Realme V23i features the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). While both are 5G capable, the Snapdragon 695, built on a smaller 6nm process, generally offers better power efficiency and sustained performance. The CPU configurations are similar – both employ an octa-core setup with 2x high-performance cores and 6x efficiency cores – but the Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are architecturally more advanced than the Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding applications and potentially better gaming performance on the Nord N20 5G.
Battery Life
Both the Realme V23i and OnePlus Nord N20 5G achieve an endurance rating of 129 hours, indicating comparable battery life under similar usage conditions. However, the charging speeds differ dramatically. The Nord N20 5G supports 33W wired charging, allowing for significantly faster top-ups compared to the V23i’s slow 10W charging. This difference is substantial; a full charge on the V23i will take considerably longer, making the Nord N20 5G more convenient for users who frequently need to recharge.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme V23i if you absolutely need the lowest possible price and are willing to compromise on charging speed and display quality. It's a solid option for basic smartphone tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display, faster charging, and a slightly more responsive overall experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord N20 5G capable of handling demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. While not a gaming powerhouse, it offers a noticeable improvement over the Dimensity 700 in sustained performance, reducing the likelihood of frame drops during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How long does it realistically take to fully charge the Realme V23i with its 10W charging?
With its 10W charging, the Realme V23i will likely take over 3 hours to fully charge from 0% to 100%. This is a significant drawback compared to the Nord N20 5G's 33W charging, which can achieve a full charge in around an hour.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N20 5G support VoLTE and 5G on all carriers?
Compatibility with VoLTE and 5G varies by carrier. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to ensure the Nord N20 5G is fully supported before purchasing. Some carriers may require specific firmware updates for optimal compatibility.
❓ What type of storage does the Realme V23i use, and is it expandable?
While not explicitly stated, budget phones like the Realme V23i typically use UFS 2.2 storage. Expandability via microSD card is likely supported, but the maximum supported capacity should be verified before purchase.
