The Samsung Galaxy F41, a veteran of the budget-midrange space, faces a formidable challenger in the newer OnePlus Nord 5. This comparison isn't about raw specs; it's about understanding where the Nord 5's modern architecture and rapid charging justify its higher price point, and whether the F41's established position still holds value for budget-conscious users.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset delivers significantly faster performance and better thermal management, complemented by incredibly fast 80W charging. While the Galaxy F41 remains a viable option for basic tasks, the Nord 5 offers a future-proofed experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, October 08. Released 2020, October 16 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 75.1 x 8.9 mm (6.27 x 2.96 x 0.35 in) | 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 |
| Weight | 191 g (6.74 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~403 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.4 inches, 100.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Super AMOLED, 420 nits (peak) | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.7 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Exynos 9611 (10 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to Android 11, One UI 3.1 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| 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 | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (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 | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | 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 | FM radio, RDS, recording | 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| | Virtual proximity sensing | - |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 15W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min
5W reverse wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | Li-Po 6000 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Fusion Black, Fusion Blue, Fusion Green | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | SM-F415F/DS, SM-F415F | CPH2709 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | 0.38 W/kg (head) | 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 F41
- Lower price point makes it accessible.
- Potentially longer software support due to Samsung's update policy.
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks.
- Significantly slower charging speed.
- Outdated chipset struggles with demanding applications.
- Display likely lacks the brightness and vibrancy of the Nord 5.
OnePlus Nord 5
- Blazing-fast Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor.
- Incredibly fast 80W charging.
- Bright and vibrant display with high peak brightness.
- Higher upfront cost.
- May require more frequent software updates to optimize performance.
- Potentially more heat generation during prolonged gaming sessions (though mitigated by the 4nm process).
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to the Galaxy F41's unspecified brightness. This difference is crucial for outdoor visibility. While the F41's panel technology isn't specified, the Nord 5's brightness suggests a more advanced panel, potentially AMOLED, offering superior contrast and color accuracy. The lack of high refresh rate information for the F41 further highlights the Nord 5's potential advantage in display smoothness.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the Galaxy F41, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 likely benefits from a more modern image signal processor (ISP) integrated within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, enabling faster image processing and improved low-light performance. The F41's reliance on the Exynos 9611's ISP will likely result in slower processing and less dynamic range. The absence of information regarding OIS or sensor size on the F41 suggests a less sophisticated camera system overall.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5's Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the Samsung Galaxy F41's Exynos 9611 (10nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 and A520 cores, offering substantial improvements in both single-core and multi-core performance. The 4nm process node translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance during demanding tasks like gaming. The Exynos 9611's older Cortex-A73 and A53 cores will struggle to keep pace, particularly in graphically intensive applications.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in charging speed with its 80W wired charging, capable of reaching 100% in just 54 minutes. It also supports 33W PPS and 18W PD, alongside 5W reverse wired charging. The Galaxy F41's 15W charging is significantly slower. While the Nord 5 doesn't explicitly state mAh, its 49:12h endurance and 13:47h active use score demonstrate excellent battery optimization. The F41's battery capacity is unknown, but its slower charging suggests a less efficient power management system.
Buying Guide
Buy the Samsung Galaxy F41 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and primarily use your phone for basic communication, social media, and light web browsing. You'll need to accept compromises in performance and charging speed. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a smooth, responsive experience for gaming, multitasking, and content creation, and value the convenience of incredibly fast charging and a brighter, more vibrant display.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Exynos 9611 in the Galaxy F41 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Exynos 9611 is known to throttle under sustained load due to its 10nm process and less efficient thermal design. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles will likely experience frame drops and reduced performance after prolonged play.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 affect battery health over the long term?
OnePlus employs charging algorithms designed to minimize battery degradation with fast charging. While fast charging *can* contribute to faster battery wear over years of use, the Nord 5's intelligent charging management and the battery's 1200 cycle rating suggest a reasonable lifespan.
❓ Is the performance difference between the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 and Exynos 9611 noticeable in everyday tasks?
Yes, the difference is significant. While both phones can handle basic tasks like browsing and social media, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 provides a much smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking, opening apps, and navigating the user interface. The F41 may exhibit noticeable lag in these scenarios.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 5 support bypass charging, and what are the benefits?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord 5 supports bypass charging. This feature allows the phone to be powered directly from the charger, bypassing the battery, when plugged in. This reduces heat generation during charging and can help prolong battery lifespan.
