The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Realme V30 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches – the Realme V30 relies on a Mediatek chipset, while the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G leverages Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 5G. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing consistent performance and faster charging, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G, built on a 6nm process, offers a more efficient and generally smoother experience than the Realme V30’s Mediatek chipset, despite the lack of detailed chipset information for the Realme device.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, February 09 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, March 20 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 8.1 mm thickness | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 600 nits | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | - | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | - | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, (wide), AF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Unspecified | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | Yes | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | RMX3618 | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
Realme V30
- Potentially lower price point
- May offer unique software features (depending on Realme UI version)
- Unknown battery capacity could be larger than Nord CE 2 Lite
- Chipset details are lacking, hindering performance assessment
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera specs are unavailable
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Snapdragon 695 5G offers efficient performance
- 33W SuperVOOC charging for fast top-ups
- 64MP main camera delivers good image quality
- Lacks OIS for improved image stabilization
- 2MP macro camera is largely a marketing gimmick
- May be slightly more expensive than the Realme V30
Display Comparison
Detailed display specifications are missing for the Realme V30. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display. While the panel type isn't specified as LTPO, the focus is on a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The Snapdragon 695’s ISP is capable of handling the display’s output efficiently. Without comparable data for the Realme V30, it’s difficult to assess display quality, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 120Hz refresh rate provides a noticeable advantage for scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Camera details for the Realme V30 are unavailable. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G features a 64MP main camera, which is a solid performer in good lighting conditions. While it lacks Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), the larger sensor size (compared to typical budget phone cameras) helps capture more light and detail. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is largely a marketing feature, offering limited practical benefit due to its low resolution. Without comparable camera specs for the Realme V30, it’s difficult to assess its imaging capabilities, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 64MP sensor provides a strong foundation.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a significant advantage. Its octa-core configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) provides a balanced approach to performance and efficiency. The 6nm process node is crucial, offering better thermal management and power efficiency compared to older, larger node chipsets. The Realme V30’s Mediatek chipset lacks specific details, making a direct performance comparison difficult. However, Mediatek’s offerings in this price bracket often prioritize cost savings over raw processing power, potentially leading to more noticeable slowdowns under sustained load. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s LPDDR4X RAM complements the Snapdragon 695, ensuring adequate memory bandwidth for multitasking.
Battery Life
Battery capacity details for the Realme V30 are missing. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G packs a 5000mAh battery, which is standard for this price range. Crucially, it supports 33W SuperVOOC charging, enabling a full charge from 0-100% in approximately 60-70 minutes. This is a significant advantage over phones with slower charging speeds. Without knowing the Realme V30’s battery capacity and charging speed, it’s difficult to compare battery life directly, but the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W charging offers a tangible convenience benefit.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme V30 if you need a phone primarily for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media, and are highly price-sensitive. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prefer a more responsive user experience, enjoy occasional gaming, and value the convenience of 33W fast charging. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better all-rounder for users who demand more from their smartphone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 5G in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 5G can handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with a stable frame rate. While it won't deliver the highest graphical fidelity, it provides a playable experience. Optimizing in-game settings is recommended for smoother gameplay. The 6nm process helps mitigate thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G supports both VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and VoWiFi (Voice over Wi-Fi), ensuring clear call quality even in areas with weak cellular signals. VoWiFi allows calls to be routed over a Wi-Fi network when cellular coverage is limited or unavailable.
❓ What type of storage does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G use, and is it expandable?
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G utilizes UFS 2.2 storage, which offers decent read and write speeds for app loading and file transfers. It also includes a dedicated microSD card slot, allowing for storage expansion up to 1TB, providing flexibility for users with large media libraries.
