The Samsung Galaxy A91, while an older model, remains a compelling option due to its now-reduced price. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 enters the arena with a newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset and significantly faster charging. This comparison dissects which phone delivers the best value and performance in today’s market.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a substantial performance uplift and improved efficiency over the A91’s Snapdragon 855, coupled with blazing-fast 80W charging and impressive battery endurance. While the A91 may be cheaper, the Nord 5’s advancements justify the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | - | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| | Always-on display | - |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, One UI | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | LED flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
12 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.2, 25mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | - |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | - | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Samsung DeX (desktop experience support)
ANT+ | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh, non-removable | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Black | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | SM-A915F | CPH2709 |
| Price | - | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
Samsung Galaxy A91
- Potentially lower price point
- Established Samsung brand reputation
- 45W fast charging is still reasonably quick
- Older Snapdragon 855 chipset
- Likely inferior battery life
- Slower charging compared to Nord 5
OnePlus Nord 5
- Significantly faster Snapdragon 8s Gen 3
- Exceptional 80W charging with multiple protocols
- Impressive battery endurance (49:12h)
- Higher upfront cost
- OnePlus software may not appeal to all users
- May lack some Samsung-specific features
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the A91’s unspecified brightness. This higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While the A91’s display quality is likely adequate, the Nord 5’s superior brightness is a clear advantage. We lack panel technology details for the A91, but the Nord 5’s brightness suggests a modern AMOLED panel, likely with improved color accuracy and viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the A91, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given its market positioning, it’s unlikely to feature the same level of image processing sophistication as the Nord 5. The Nord 5 benefits from the newer ISP within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, enabling improved noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. We can assume the Nord 5 will offer superior low-light performance and more accurate color reproduction. Focusing on the main sensors is key; any 2MP macro or depth sensors on either device are unlikely to significantly impact image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) represents a significant leap over the Samsung Galaxy A91’s Snapdragon 855 (7nm). The 8s Gen 3 features a newer CPU architecture – Cortex-X4, A720, and A520 – offering improved single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm process node also contributes to better thermal efficiency, meaning the Nord 5 is less likely to throttle under sustained load. The A91’s Kryo 485 cores, while capable, are simply outmatched by the newer architecture. The Nord 5 will deliver a noticeably smoother experience in demanding applications and games.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in battery performance. Its 49:12h endurance and 13:47h active use score demonstrate superior longevity compared to what the A91 likely offers. Crucially, the Nord 5’s 80W wired charging is a game-changer, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. The A91’s 45W charging, while respectable, is significantly slower. The Nord 5 also supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, offering versatile charging options, and even includes 5W reverse wired charging. The Nord 5’s bypass charging feature allows for charging while the phone is in use, minimizing heat buildup.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A91 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are comfortable with a phone that’s showing its age in terms of processing power and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and longer battery life, even if it means spending a bit more. The Nord 5 is ideal for gamers and power users.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 855 in the Galaxy A91 struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 855 will likely exhibit noticeable frame drops and throttling in graphically intensive games like Genshin Impact, especially after prolonged play sessions. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 is significantly more capable of handling these titles at higher settings with sustained performance.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compared to the A91's 45W charging in real-world use?
The Nord 5’s 80W charging can fully charge the battery in approximately 54 minutes, while the A91’s 45W charging will take considerably longer – likely exceeding 75 minutes. This difference is particularly noticeable when you need a quick top-up before leaving the house.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5's bypass charging feature actually make a difference while gaming?
Yes, bypass charging allows the phone to draw power directly from the charger while gaming, reducing reliance on the battery and minimizing heat buildup. This can help maintain consistent performance and prevent throttling during extended gaming sessions.
