Umidigi F3 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Performance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing speed and convenience, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the clear winner. Its Dimensity 900 chipset and blazing-fast 65W charging significantly outperform the Umidigi F3 5G. However, the Umidigi F3 5G remains a viable option for budget-conscious buyers willing to trade performance for a lower price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Umidigi F3 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 168.3 x 76.6 x 8.8 mm (6.63 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1650 pixels (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 106.2 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 12 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2", AF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1440p@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 65W wired |
| Type | 5150 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Black, Matte Silver, Sunglow Gold | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | - | IV2201 |
| Price | - | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
Umidigi F3 5G
- Significantly lower price point
- Functional 5G connectivity
- Acceptable performance for basic tasks
- Slow 18W charging
- Less powerful processor
- Potentially lower image quality
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Much faster 65W charging
- More powerful Dimensity 900 chipset
- Improved thermal efficiency
- Higher price tag
- May not offer substantial camera improvements over competitors
- Software bloat (typical of OnePlus)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the core difference lies in processing efficiency. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Dimensity 900, fabricated on a 6nm process, will likely contribute to more efficient display power consumption compared to the Umidigi F3 5G’s 7nm Dimensity 700. This translates to potentially longer screen-on time, though real-world impact depends heavily on software optimization. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Dimensity 900 generally supports more advanced image signal processors (ISPs), potentially leading to better image processing capabilities in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G. This could manifest as improved dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of information on sensor sizes makes a definitive statement impossible, but OnePlus typically prioritizes camera performance in its 'CE' series.
Performance
The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 900, featuring Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz, offers a substantial CPU performance advantage over the Umidigi F3 5G’s Dimensity 700 with its 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 cores. This difference will be noticeable in app launch times, multitasking, and demanding games. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 900 also provides better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during sustained loads. While both phones utilize 5G connectivity, the Nord CE 2’s superior processing power will enhance the overall 5G experience.
Battery Life
The Umidigi F3 5G’s 18W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s 65W SuperVOOC charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the charging speed difference is dramatic. The Nord CE 2 5G can likely achieve a full charge in under 40 minutes, while the F3 5G will likely take well over an hour. This convenience factor is a major selling point for the OnePlus device, even if the F3 5G has a slightly larger battery capacity.
Buying Guide
Buy the Umidigi F3 5G if you need a functional 5G smartphone on a very tight budget and aren't demanding in terms of gaming or intensive multitasking. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you prioritize faster performance for apps and games, and value the convenience of incredibly rapid charging – even if it comes at a higher cost.