The sub-$250 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo iQOO U5e and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a smooth user experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, relying on distinct chipsets and charging technologies. This comparison dissects their strengths and weaknesses to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G emerges as the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a slight performance edge and better thermal management, coupled with significantly faster 33W charging. While the iQOO U5e is a capable device, the Nord CE 2 Lite provides a more refined overall experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 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, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, June 23 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.8 x 8.3 mm (6.46 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, OriginOS Ocean | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Silver | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | V2197A | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
vivo iQOO U5e
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly.
- Reliable MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset.
- Slower 18W charging.
- Less efficient Dimensity 700 chipset.
- Potentially inferior camera performance.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Faster 33W SuperVOOC charging.
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset.
- Superior image processing capabilities.
- Potentially smoother gaming experience.
- Slightly higher initial purchase price.
- May not offer significant camera improvements over competitors in the same price range.
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The key difference lies in the underlying processing power impacting display responsiveness. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate) are missing, the Snapdragon 695’s ISP and GPU are better equipped to handle display-related tasks, potentially resulting in smoother animations and a more vibrant visual experience. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting the budget nature of both phones.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, both phones likely employ a similar strategy: a primary sensor paired with depth and macro lenses. The Snapdragon 695’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more advanced, offering superior image processing capabilities, including better noise reduction and dynamic range. This means the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is likely to produce more detailed and visually appealing photos, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The iQOO U5e’s camera will still be adequate for casual photography, but it won’t match the Nord CE 2 Lite’s potential.
Performance
The core battleground is the chipset. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) holds a clear advantage over the iQOO U5e’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The 6nm process inherently offers better power efficiency, translating to less heat generation under load. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are architecturally more advanced than the Dimensity 700’s Cortex-A76 cores, providing a slight performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding games and multitasking scenarios. The Snapdragon 695 also benefits from Qualcomm’s Adreno 619 GPU, which is generally more powerful than the Mali-G52 MC2 found in the iQOO U5e.
Battery Life
The iQOO U5e’s 18W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging speed of the Nord CE 2 Lite will dramatically reduce downtime. A full charge from 0-100% will likely take significantly longer on the iQOO U5e. The Snapdragon 695’s improved power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life, offsetting any potential capacity difference.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO U5e if your priority is a slightly lower initial cost and you primarily use your phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you value faster charging, a potentially smoother gaming experience, and a more future-proof chipset with better power efficiency, even if it means spending a bit more upfront.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G handle demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty Mobile at medium settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver a flagship-level gaming experience, it provides a noticeable improvement over the Dimensity 700, particularly in sustained performance due to its better thermal management.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G compared to the 18W charging on the iQOO U5e?
The 33W charging on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G can realistically reduce charging times by 40-50% compared to the iQOO U5e’s 18W charging. Expect a full charge from 0-100% in approximately 70-80 minutes on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, versus potentially over 2 hours on the iQOO U5e.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance (Snapdragon 695 vs Dimensity 700) noticeable in everyday use?
For basic tasks like browsing, social media, and calling, the difference will be minimal. However, when multitasking, opening multiple apps, or performing more demanding tasks like video editing, the Snapdragon 695 will provide a smoother and more responsive experience.
