The iQOO Z3 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G represent compelling options in the increasingly crowded mid-range 5G smartphone market. While both aim to deliver a balanced experience, they take different approaches to performance and features. The iQOO Z3 prioritizes raw processing power with the Snapdragon 768G, while the Nord CE 5G focuses on a streamlined experience and efficient battery management. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing gaming and demanding tasks, the iQOO Z3 emerges as the winner thanks to its superior Snapdragon 768G chipset and faster 55W charging. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers a solid all-around experience with comparable battery endurance and a potentially more refined software experience, making it a strong contender for everyday users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 - India | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | 1, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, March 25 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, April 01 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.5 g (6.56 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, HDR10, 120Hz | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM768 Snapdragon 768G 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 (International), OriginOS 1.0 for iQOO (China) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 55W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 4400 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ace Black, Cyber Blue, Silver | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | V2073A | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Z3
- Faster Snapdragon 768G processor for superior performance
- Significantly faster 55W charging
- Potentially better gaming performance
- Display specifications are unknown
- Camera details are limited
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Good battery endurance (117h)
- Measured 607 nits peak brightness
- Potentially more refined software experience
- Slower Snapdragon 750G processor
- Slower 30W charging
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, providing good visibility in most conditions. While the iQOO Z3’s display specifications aren’t provided, it’s likely to be comparable. Both phones lack high refresh rate panels, settling for a standard 60Hz experience. The Nord CE 5G’s 'Infinite' contrast ratio is a marketing term, but suggests a typical OLED panel with excellent blacks. Without detailed display specs for the iQOO Z3, it’s difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Nord CE 5G’s measured brightness gives it a slight edge.
Camera Comparison
Both devices offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without information on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the absence of detailed specs suggests neither phone will compete with flagship camera systems. The iQOO Z3’s stronger processing power *could* translate to faster image processing and potentially better low-light performance, but this is speculative. The Nord CE 5G likely prioritizes a balanced camera experience, while the iQOO Z3 may lean towards more aggressive image processing.
Performance
The iQOO Z3’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G 5G (7nm) chipset is the clear performance leader. Its octa-core configuration, featuring a 2.8 GHz Kryo 475 Prime core, provides a significant advantage over the Nord CE 5G’s Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm). The 768G’s more powerful CPU and GPU translate to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and superior gaming performance. While the 8nm process of the 750G is more efficient, the architectural advantages of the 768G outweigh this benefit. The iQOO Z3 is the better choice for users who frequently engage in resource-intensive activities.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO Z3 and OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating similar overall battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The iQOO Z3’s 55W wired charging is substantially faster than the Nord CE 5G’s 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in 30 minutes. This faster charging is a major advantage for users who need to quickly top up their battery. While the Nord CE 5G’s battery endurance is comparable, the iQOO Z3’s charging speed provides a more convenient user experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z3 if you need a phone capable of handling demanding mobile games and applications, and value significantly faster charging speeds. You'll benefit from the extra processing headroom offered by the Snapdragon 768G. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prefer a balanced experience with a focus on battery life and a clean, user-friendly software interface. It's ideal for users who prioritize everyday tasks and media consumption over intensive gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G struggle with graphically demanding games like Genshin Impact?
The Snapdragon 750G is capable of running Genshin Impact, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to maintain a stable frame rate. The iQOO Z3’s Snapdragon 768G offers a significantly smoother experience with higher graphics settings.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the iQOO Z3 with the 55W charger?
While the iQOO Z3 reaches 70% charge in 30 minutes with the 55W charger, a full 0-100% charge typically takes around 45-50 minutes, making it considerably faster than the Nord CE 5G’s 30W charging.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 5G support VoLTE/VoWiFi on all carriers?
Carrier compatibility for VoLTE and VoWiFi can vary. It's crucial to check with your specific carrier to ensure the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is fully supported in your region before purchasing.
❓ Is the software experience on the iQOO Z3 heavily customized?
iQOO’s FunTouch OS is based on Android, but it features a significant degree of customization. While it offers various features, some users may find it less streamlined than OnePlus’ OxygenOS.
