Sonim XP3plus vs. OnePlus Nord N20 5G: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Need a phone that can withstand a construction site or a daily driver with blazing-fast 5G? The Sonim XP3plus prioritizes durability above all else, while the OnePlus Nord N20 5G offers a compelling blend of features and affordability. Let's break down which phone is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G wins on value and features, boasting a brighter display, faster chipset, and 5G connectivity. However, the Sonim XP3plus is the undisputed champion for those needing extreme durability and ruggedness, sacrificing some performance for unmatched resilience.

PHONES
Phone Names Sonim XP3plus OnePlus Nord N20 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 14, 25, 26, 30, 39, 40, 41, 66, 711, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71
5G bands-2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, September2022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, SeptemberAvailable. Released 2022, April 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions116 x 60 x 28 mm (4.57 x 2.36 x 1.10 in)159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIMNano-SIM
Weight220 g (7.76 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) MIL-STD-810H -
Display
Protection-Schott Xensation Up
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~34.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT LCDAMOLED
 Cover display: IPS LCD, 1.3 inches, 240 x 240 pixelsAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.0 GHz Kryo 260 Gold & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 260 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 (11 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 619
OSSonim OS (based on AOSP Android 11)Android 11, OxygenOS 11
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal16GB 2GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Triple-64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video-1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, (wide)
Video-1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM RadioNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsAccelerometer, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging-33W wired
TypeLi-Ion 2300 mAh, removableLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlackBlue
Models-GN2200, CPH2459
PriceAbout 240 EURAbout 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)

Sonim XP3plus

  • Unmatched durability and ruggedness
  • Waterproof and dustproof
  • Impact resistant
  • Loudspeaker for noisy environments
  • Push-to-Talk (PTT) functionality

  • Lower performance compared to competitors
  • Basic display
  • Likely limited camera capabilities
  • Slower charging
  • Potentially bulky and heavy

OnePlus Nord N20 5G

  • Affordable 5G connectivity
  • Bright and vibrant display
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Fast charging (33W)
  • Stylish design

  • Less durable than the XP3plus
  • Camera may not be top-tier
  • Battery life, while good, isn't exceptional compared to some competitors

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G takes the display crown with a measured 647 nits max brightness, offering a significantly more vibrant and viewable screen, especially outdoors. The XP3plus likely has a more basic display, prioritizing durability over visual fidelity. Contrast ratio is infinite on the Nord N20 5G, suggesting excellent blacks.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are limited for the Sonim XP3plus. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G likely offers a more versatile camera system with better image quality, especially in low light. Expect features like portrait mode and potentially 4K video recording on the Nord N20 5G.

Performance

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G chipset (6nm) provides a noticeable performance edge over the XP3plus's Snapdragon 662 (11nm). Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Nord N20 5G. While the XP3plus's CPU is decent, the chipset is older and less efficient.

Battery Life

Both phones boast impressive endurance ratings (129h). However, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G's 33W wired charging provides a faster charging experience compared to the XP3plus, which likely has slower charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

Buy the Sonim XP3plus if you work in demanding environments (construction, outdoor professions) and need a phone that can survive drops, water, and extreme temperatures. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you want a stylish, affordable 5G phone with a good display and decent performance for everyday use.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Sonim XP3plus worth the extra cost for its durability?
If you work in a harsh environment where phone damage is a frequent concern, the XP3plus's ruggedness is invaluable. Otherwise, the Nord N20 5G offers better value.
❓ Can the OnePlus Nord N20 5G handle some accidental drops?
While not as rugged as the XP3plus, the Nord N20 5G is reasonably durable for everyday use. However, it's not designed for extreme conditions.