Umidigi Note 100 vs OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G

The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Umidigi Note 100 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with distinct chipset choices and charging capabilities. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing faster charging and a more established brand reputation, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its 33W charging significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695 offers a slightly more refined experience. However, the Umidigi Note 100 presents a compelling alternative for those seeking maximum value and aren't overly concerned with charging speed.

PHONES
Phone Names Umidigi Note 100 OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 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) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 39, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, February 132022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, FebruaryAvailable. Released 2022, April 30
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions167.8 x 77.4 x 7.7 mm (6.61 x 3.05 x 0.30 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~258 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 111.6 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.3 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.1 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetUnisoc T765 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 14Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioWireless FM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB 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
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging20W wired33W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsRock Black, Interstellar Blue, Lake Green, Starry WhiteBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
Models-CPH2381, CPH2409
Price$ 106.99 / C$ 152.99 / € 116.99About 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Umidigi Note 100

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Unisoc T765 offers competitive performance
  • 6nm process for improved efficiency

  • Slower 20W charging
  • Less established brand reputation
  • Potential software optimization concerns

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Faster 33W charging
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 offers refined performance
  • More established brand and software support

  • Generally higher price
  • Performance gains over Unisoc T765 are incremental
  • May still lack flagship-level features

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a flagship-level display. Details regarding panel type (IPS vs AMOLED) and resolution are missing, but the focus here is on performance and charging. The absence of high refresh rates on both suggests a cost-saving measure. While specific brightness nits aren't provided, the overall display experience will likely be similar, geared towards everyday use rather than media consumption.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the presence of cameras, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both phones will rely on software processing to enhance image quality. The absence of information regarding sensor size or OIS implies both will struggle in low-light conditions. The focus will likely be on providing acceptable results in good lighting, rather than competing with flagship camera systems. Any 2MP macro or depth sensors are likely to offer minimal benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Umidigi Note 100 utilizes the Unisoc T765, a 6nm chip with a Cortex-A76 based CPU. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G, also built on a 6nm process. While both CPUs have a similar core configuration (2x high-performance, 6x efficiency), the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo cores generally offer a slight edge in sustained performance and efficiency due to Qualcomm’s optimizations. The Snapdragon 695 also benefits from Qualcomm’s integrated 5G modem, potentially offering more stable 5G connectivity. The Umidigi’s Unisoc chip is a newer entrant, and while competitive, lacks the software optimization and widespread support of Qualcomm.

Battery Life

The Umidigi Note 100 supports 20W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G steps up to 33W. This is a significant difference. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the OnePlus will translate to considerably quicker top-ups. A full charge on the Umidigi will take noticeably longer, impacting usability for users who frequently need to recharge throughout the day. The 33W charging on the OnePlus is a clear advantage for convenience.

Buying Guide

Buy the Umidigi Note 100 if you need a highly affordable 5G phone and prioritize maximizing value for your dollar, even if it means slower charging. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prefer a faster charging experience, a more recognizable brand, and a slightly more polished software experience, and are willing to spend a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T765 in the Umidigi Note 100 struggle with demanding games?
The Unisoc T765 is capable of handling many popular mobile games, but you may need to lower graphics settings for smoother gameplay in more demanding titles. The Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will likely offer slightly better sustained performance for gaming, but both are mid-range chipsets.
❓ How long will it take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G with the 33W charger?
While a precise time isn't available, the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G should fully charge the device in approximately 60-75 minutes, significantly faster than the Umidigi Note 100's 20W charging.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G receive regular software updates?
OnePlus generally provides consistent software updates for its devices, including security patches and feature enhancements. This is an area where OnePlus has a clear advantage over Umidigi, which may have a less frequent update schedule.