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

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

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the iQOO Neo5 SE with its Snapdragon 870 is the clear winner. However, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G offers a well-rounded experience with comparable battery endurance and a potentially more refined software experience, making it a strong contender for those valuing overall balance.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo iQOO Neo5 SE OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 8, 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, 5, 8, 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, December 202021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, December 29Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164.7 x 76.7 x 8.5 mm (6.48 x 3.02 x 0.33 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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 144Hz, HDR10, 650 nits (typ)Fluid 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 OceanAndroid 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
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.5, (wide)-
Triple-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/2.5, (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 stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, 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
Charging55W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type4500 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, AuroraGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsV2157ADN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 300 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 SE

  • Superior CPU performance with Snapdragon 870
  • Potentially better sustained gaming performance
  • Fast 55W charging

  • Battery life may be slightly less than Nord 2 5G
  • Camera details are unknown, potentially less refined

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Excellent battery life (102h Endurance rating)
  • Faster 65W charging with PD support
  • Potentially smoother software experience

  • Dimensity 1200 offers slightly less raw CPU power
  • May exhibit more thermal throttling under sustained load

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 SE’s display specifications aren’t provided, iQOO typically prioritizes high refresh rates in this series. The Nord 2 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a typical AMOLED panel, offering deep blacks. Without specific details on the iQOO Neo5 SE’s panel technology, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Nord 2 5G’s brightness is a known quantity.

Camera Comparison

Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but specific details are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is impossible. However, given OnePlus’s history, the Nord 2 5G likely emphasizes image processing for natural-looking photos, while iQOO often leans towards more vibrant, saturated colors. The absence of details suggests neither phone is targeting the high-end camera market, focusing instead on providing adequate performance for social media and casual photography.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Neo5 SE utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 5G (7nm), while the OnePlus Nord 2 5G features the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 (6nm). The Dimensity 1200’s 6nm process *should* offer slightly better power efficiency, but the Snapdragon 870 is known for its sustained performance and excellent thermal management. The Snapdragon 870’s Kryo 585 cores, with a prime core clocked at 3.2 GHz, provide a slight clock speed advantage over the Dimensity 1200’s Cortex-A78 (3.0 GHz). This translates to a noticeable edge in CPU-intensive tasks and gaming. The iQOO Neo5 SE is likely to maintain higher frame rates for longer periods due to Qualcomm’s optimization.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an impressive Endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating similar real-world battery life despite potentially different battery capacities (not specified). However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The iQOO Neo5 SE offers 55W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts 65W wired charging with PD support and a claimed 100% charge in 30 minutes. This faster charging speed gives the Nord 2 5G a clear advantage for users who prioritize quick top-ups.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo iQOO Neo5 SE if you need uncompromising performance for gaming and demanding applications, and value the fastest possible charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prefer a more balanced experience with excellent battery life, a potentially smoother software experience, and a focus on consistent, all-day usability. The Nord 2 5G is ideal for users who don't push their phones to the absolute limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Dimensity 1200 in the OnePlus Nord 2 5G suffer from overheating during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1200 is a capable chipset, it can experience some thermal throttling under sustained heavy load. The 6nm process helps, but the Snapdragon 870 in the iQOO Neo5 SE is generally considered to have better thermal management, allowing for more consistent performance during extended gaming.
❓ How does the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compare to the 55W charging on the iQOO Neo5 SE in real-world usage?
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W charging, coupled with PD support, is demonstrably faster, achieving a full charge in approximately 30 minutes. The iQOO Neo5 SE’s 55W charging is still quick, but will take slightly longer to reach 100%. This difference is most noticeable for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on both phones a significant drawback?
Yes, it is. Without knowing sensor sizes, apertures, or OIS capabilities, it’s difficult to assess the camera performance accurately. Both phones likely offer adequate cameras for casual use, but they aren’t expected to compete with flagship-level camera systems.