iQOO Neo5 Lite vs OnePlus Nord 2 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power

The iQOO Neo5 Lite and OnePlus Nord 2 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches, primarily revolving around their chipset choices and charging implementations. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device offers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G emerges as the slightly better all-rounder. Its 65W charging, coupled with a comparable endurance rating, provides a more convenient user experience. While the iQOO Neo5 Lite boasts the Snapdragon 870, the Nord 2’s Dimensity 1200 holds its own, and the overall package feels more refined.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo5 Lite OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 18, 19, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 3, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 -
Launch
Announced2021, March 242021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 24Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164 x 75.5 x 8.9 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.35 in)159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight198.3 g (6.98 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.57 inches, 104.0 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, OriginOS 1.0Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging44W wired, 70% in 33 min65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, WhiteGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsV2118ADN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 290 EUR€ 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo iQOO Neo5 Lite

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance with Snapdragon 870
  • Strong performance for the price
  • Good for demanding mobile games

  • Slower charging speed (44W vs 65W)
  • Limited display information available
  • Camera details are unknown

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Faster 65W charging with PD support
  • Potentially better thermal management with Dimensity 1200’s 6nm process
  • Bright and high-quality display (633 nits)

  • Snapdragon 870 may offer slightly higher peak CPU performance
  • Camera performance relies heavily on software optimization
  • No detailed camera specs provided

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility. While the iQOO Neo5 Lite’s display specifications aren’t provided, OnePlus’s contrast ratio is listed as ‘Infinite (nominal)’, suggesting a strong OLED panel. The lack of detailed display specs for the iQOO makes a direct comparison difficult, but the Nord 2’s brightness advantage is a tangible benefit for users in sunny environments. Both likely employ high refresh rate panels, common in this segment, but the Nord 2’s panel is confirmed to be of high quality.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are scarce. Without sensor size, aperture, or image processing details, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning of OnePlus typically prioritizes camera quality, suggesting a more refined image processing pipeline. The iQOO Neo5 Lite, focusing on performance, may offer a more basic camera experience. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either device is a notable omission, impacting low-light photography and video stability.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Neo5 Lite utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), while the OnePlus Nord 2 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (6nm). The Dimensity 1200, built on a smaller 6nm process, theoretically offers better power efficiency. The Snapdragon 870’s CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585, 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585, 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) is paired against the Dimensity 1200’s (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78, 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55). While the Snapdragon 870 has a slightly higher peak clock speed on its prime core, the Dimensity 1200’s architecture, with its three Cortex-A78 cores, provides strong sustained performance. The 6nm process of the Dimensity 1200 should also result in better thermal management under prolonged load, potentially mitigating throttling.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing battery capacities (not specified for the iQOO). However, the charging speeds are significantly different. The iQOO Neo5 Lite supports 44W wired charging, reaching 70% in 33 minutes. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G, with its 65W wired charging (and PD support), achieves a full 100% charge in just 30 minutes. This faster charging speed is a significant convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 Lite if you prioritize raw processing power for demanding tasks like video editing or consistently high frame rates in graphically intensive games, and are comfortable with slightly slower charging. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you value a balanced experience with faster charging, a potentially more optimized software experience, and a phone that excels in everyday tasks and photography.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 in the OnePlus Nord 2 5G suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200’s 6nm process and efficient architecture are designed to mitigate thermal throttling. While some throttling is inevitable under sustained load, it’s generally less pronounced than with older chipsets. Reviews suggest the Nord 2 5G maintains consistent performance for extended gaming periods, though not without some temperature increase.
❓ Is the 44W charging on the iQOO Neo5 Lite slow compared to the 65W on the Nord 2 5G in real-world usage?
While 65W is undeniably faster, 44W is still a respectable charging speed. The iQOO Neo5 Lite reaches 70% in 33 minutes, which is sufficient for many users. However, the Nord 2 5G’s ability to fully charge in 30 minutes offers a significant time saving, especially for those who frequently need a quick top-up.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 870 in the iQOO Neo5 Lite perform in graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact or PUBG?
The Snapdragon 870 is a capable chipset for gaming. It can handle Genshin Impact and PUBG at high settings with consistently high frame rates. However, prolonged gaming sessions may lead to some thermal throttling, potentially reducing performance slightly over time. The iQOO Neo5 Lite’s cooling solution will play a crucial role in managing temperatures.