The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z5 and OnePlus Nord 2 5G represent compelling options for users seeking premium features without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on chipset performance, charging speeds, and overall user experience to determine which device delivers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing balanced performance and rapid charging, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the slightly stronger choice. Its Dimensity 1200 chipset offers a performance edge, and the 65W charging is noticeably faster. However, the iQOO Z5 provides a very competitive experience, particularly for those focused on gaming.
| 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) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 - China | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU |
| 5G bands | 1, 5, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - China | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| 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 |
| | 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, September 23 | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, September 28 | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 164.7 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 193 g (6.81 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, HDR10, 650 nits (typ) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 12 (International), OriginOS for iQOO 1.0 (China) | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | - |
| 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) | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Auto HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with dual speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 26 min | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Arctic Dawn, Mystic Space, Cyber Grid, Aurora | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | V2148A | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 250 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 Z5
- Competitive price point
- Snapdragon 778G offers solid gaming performance
- Fast 44W charging
- Dimensity 1200 offers superior CPU performance
- Limited camera specification details
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Faster 65W charging with PD
- More powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset
- Higher peak display brightness
- Potentially higher price
- Similar battery endurance to iQOO Z5 despite faster charging
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the iQOO Z5 (brightness data unavailable). While both utilize 6nm chipsets, display technology details beyond brightness are absent. The Nord 2 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) indicates a typical OLED panel, offering deep blacks. Without specific panel type information for the iQOO Z5, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy or viewing angles beyond general expectations for the price bracket.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are lacking. Without sensor size, aperture, or OIS information, a direct comparison is limited. The absence of details suggests neither phone prioritizes a groundbreaking camera system. It’s reasonable to assume both offer competent daylight photography, but low-light performance will likely be a differentiating factor dependent on sensor size and image processing algorithms. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses in this segment suggests their utility is limited.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets: the iQOO Z5 features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G, while the Nord 2 5G utilizes the MediaTek Dimensity 1200. The Dimensity 1200, with its 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core and 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, demonstrably outperforms the iQOO Z5’s 1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 configuration in CPU-intensive tasks. Both utilize 6nm fabrication, but the Dimensity 1200’s architecture provides a performance advantage. The iQOO Z5’s CPU configuration, while still capable, leans towards efficiency. Both phones likely feature LPDDR4X RAM, though the speed isn't specified, impacting multitasking performance.
Battery Life
Both the iQOO Z5 and Nord 2 5G achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating similar overall battery life under typical usage. However, charging speeds are significantly different. The iQOO Z5 supports 44W wired charging, reaching 50% in 26 minutes, while the Nord 2 5G boasts 65W wired charging with PD, achieving 100% in 30 minutes. This faster charging speed gives the Nord 2 5G a practical advantage for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo iQOO Z5 if you prioritize a strong gaming experience and value a slightly more aggressive price point. Its Snapdragon 778G is well-optimized for mobile gaming. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prefer a more refined software experience, faster charging, and a slightly more powerful processor for everyday tasks and demanding applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G exhibit thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chipset, sustained peak performance can lead to thermal throttling. However, OnePlus typically implements effective thermal management solutions, and reviews suggest the Nord 2 5G handles demanding games reasonably well. The iQOO Z5’s Snapdragon 778G, being slightly less powerful, may exhibit less throttling, but this depends on both phones’ cooling systems.
❓ How does the 65W SuperVOOC charging on the Nord 2 5G compare to other fast charging standards in terms of heat generation?
SuperVOOC charging is known for its efficiency and relatively low heat generation compared to some other fast charging technologies. While it delivers high wattage, OnePlus employs multiple safety features and optimized charging algorithms to minimize heat buildup during the charging process. The iQOO Z5’s 44W charging will generate less heat, but also takes longer to fully charge.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on both phones a significant drawback for photography enthusiasts?
Yes, the limited information makes it difficult to assess the camera capabilities accurately. Photography enthusiasts will likely want to consult detailed reviews and sample photos before making a decision. The absence of details suggests neither phone is positioned as a camera-centric device.
