Realme X7 vs OnePlus Nord 2 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The Realme X7 and OnePlus Nord 2 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range smartphone market. While both leverage MediaTek's Dimensity series, they target slightly different priorities – the X7 focusing on aggressive value, and the Nord 2 5G aiming for a more refined experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset, coupled with 65W charging, delivers a smoother, faster experience. While the Realme X7 offers excellent value, the Nord 2's performance advantage justifies the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Realme X7 (India) OnePlus Nord 2 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) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G 2.3 Gbps DLHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, February 042021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, February 12Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions160.9 x 74.4 x 8.1 mm / 8.3 mm159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight176 g / 179 g (6.21 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~411 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (peak)Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Mali-G77 MC9
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 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 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)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.5, 26mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, 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/6, 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 min65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type4310 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsSpace Silver, NebulaGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsRMX3092DN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 230 EUR€ 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Realme X7 (India)

  • Aggressive pricing offers excellent value.
  • 50W fast charging is still respectable.
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks.

  • Dimensity 800U is outperformed by the Dimensity 1200.
  • Limited camera information suggests a less advanced system.
  • Display specs are currently unknown.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers superior performance.
  • 65W SuperVOOC charging is incredibly fast.
  • Brighter display enhances visibility.

  • Higher price point than the Realme X7.
  • Battery life is comparable despite faster charging.
  • Camera details beyond 'Photo/Video' are missing.

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the Realme X7. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels, the Nord 2’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility under direct sunlight. The Nord 2’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard AMOLED implementation, while the Realme X7’s display specs are currently unavailable for detailed comparison. Bezels and color accuracy are also unknown for the X7, giving the Nord 2 an edge based on available data.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking for the Realme X7. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s camera system is expected to be more sophisticated, though specifics are not provided. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS details for the X7, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. The Nord 2 likely benefits from MediaTek’s Imagiq 760 ISP, offering enhanced image processing capabilities. The absence of information regarding the X7’s camera suggests it may prioritize affordability over advanced camera features.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme X7 utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 800U (7nm), featuring an octa-core configuration with 2x 2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G, however, is powered by the significantly more potent Dimensity 1200 (6nm). This chip boasts a 1x 3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x 2.6 GHz Cortex-A78, and 4x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 offers improved power efficiency and thermal performance compared to the 7nm Dimensity 800U, resulting in sustained performance during demanding tasks. The Nord 2’s more advanced CPU architecture, particularly the inclusion of Cortex-A78 cores at higher clock speeds, will deliver a noticeable performance uplift in gaming and multitasking.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified for the X7). However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The Realme X7 supports 50W wired charging, reaching 50% in 18 minutes and 100% in 47 minutes. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G takes the lead with 65W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 30 minutes, and supports PD (Power Delivery). This faster charging speed is a significant advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the Realme X7 (India) if you prioritize maximizing value and are comfortable with slightly less processing power. It's ideal for everyday tasks, social media, and casual gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you demand smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive gaming experience, and are willing to invest a bit more for those benefits. It's the better choice for power users and mobile gamers.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Dimensity 1200 in the OnePlus Nord 2 5G capable of handling graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Dimensity 1200's Mali-G78 MP16 GPU is more than capable of running Genshin Impact at high settings. While you may need to adjust some settings for sustained 60fps gameplay, the Nord 2 5G provides a significantly smoother gaming experience compared to the Realme X7's Dimensity 800U.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compare to other fast charging standards?
OnePlus's 65W SuperVOOC charging is exceptionally fast, consistently delivering a full charge in around 30 minutes. It's faster than many other 65W implementations and significantly quicker than the Realme X7's 50W charging. While not universally compatible with Power Delivery (PD) chargers at full speed, the Nord 2 5G does support PD for slower charging.
❓ Does the Realme X7 support VoLTE/VoWiFi on all Indian carriers?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi can vary depending on the carrier. While the Realme X7 generally supports these features, it's crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier in India to ensure seamless voice calling and Wi-Fi calling functionality.