vivo NEX 3 vs OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren: Which Snapdragon 855+ Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Released within months of each other in 2019, the vivo NEX 3 and OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren represent the pinnacle of Android flagship design and performance from their respective brands. Both leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ chipset, but diverge significantly in charging speed, display implementation, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device holds up better in 2024.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a slightly more refined software experience, the vivo NEX 3 emerges as the winner. Its 44W charging significantly reduces downtime, and while both phones offer similar performance, the NEX 3’s faster charging is a tangible benefit in daily use.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo NEX 3 OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71
5G bands-71 SA
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G (2+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA
Launch
Announced2019, September. Released 2019, September2019, October 23. Released 2019, November 05
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions167.4 x 76.1 x 9.4 mm (6.59 x 3.00 x 0.37 in)162.6 x 75.9 x 8.8 mm (6.40 x 2.99 x 0.35 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight217.3 g (7.65 oz)206 g (7.27 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 6
Resolution1080 x 2256 pixels (~363 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~516 ppi density)
Size6.89 inches, 119.3 cm2 (~93.6% screen-to-body ratio)6.67 inches, 108.8 cm2 (~88.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.8 GHz Kryo 485)Octa-core (1x2.96 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855+ (7 nm)
GPUAdreno 640 (700 MHz)Adreno 640 (700 MHz)
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.1Android 10, OxygenOS 10.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.0UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF 13 MP, f/2.5, (telephoto), PDAF 13 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), PDAF48 MP, f/1.6, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, Auto HDR, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDRHDR
SingleMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µmMotorized pop-up 16 MP, f/2.0, 25mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/192kHz audio -
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), BDS (B1), GALILEO (E1+E5a)
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing
Battery
Charging44W wired30W wired
Type4500 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 4085 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsBlack, BluePapaya Orange
ModelsV1923A, V1923T, 1908_19, 1912HD1925
PriceAbout 640 EURAbout 800 EUR

vivo NEX 3

  • Significantly faster 44W charging
  • Visually striking waterfall display
  • Potentially more vibrant image processing

  • Waterfall display prone to accidental touches
  • Software experience may not appeal to all users

OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren

  • Refined OxygenOS software experience
  • McLaren branding and aesthetic
  • Potentially better thermal management

  • Slower 30W charging
  • Less visually striking display design

Display Comparison

Both devices feature AMOLED displays, but their implementations differ. While specific refresh rates aren't provided, both likely support 90Hz. The vivo NEX 3 boasts a 'waterfall' display, curving dramatically over the sides, minimizing bezels. This design, while visually striking, can introduce accidental touches. The OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren features a less aggressive curve, prioritizing usability. The lack of specified peak brightness or color accuracy data makes a direct comparison difficult, but the NEX 3’s waterfall design is the more visually ambitious, albeit potentially less practical, choice.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are unavailable, but both phones likely feature multi-camera systems. The focus should be on image processing. vivo typically emphasizes vibrant, saturated colors, while OnePlus leans towards a more natural look. Without sensor size or aperture data, it’s difficult to assess low-light performance. The absence of information on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) is a significant omission; its presence would be a major advantage for video recording and low-light photography.

Performance

Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855+ (7nm), featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with a 2.96 GHz Kryo 485 prime core. The only CPU difference is the clock speed of the smaller cores – 1.8 GHz on the NEX 3 versus 1.78 GHz on the 7T Pro 5G McLaren. This minor difference is unlikely to be noticeable in real-world usage. Both devices likely utilize LPDDR4X RAM, and thermal management will be crucial to sustained performance. Given the similar chipsets, performance will be largely dictated by software optimization and cooling solutions, areas where OnePlus historically excels.

Battery Life

The vivo NEX 3’s 44W wired charging is a clear advantage over the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren’s 30W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified, faster charging translates to significantly less time tethered to a wall outlet. A 44W charger can realistically deliver a full charge in under an hour, while 30W will take considerably longer. This difference is particularly impactful for users who frequently deplete their battery throughout the day.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo NEX 3 if you need the fastest possible charging speeds and appreciate a truly bezel-less waterfall display. It’s ideal for power users who demand minimal downtime. Buy the OnePlus 7T Pro 5G McLaren if you prefer OnePlus’s OxygenOS software, which is known for its clean interface and customization options, and value the McLaren branding and associated aesthetic.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 855+ in either phone struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact in 2024?
While the Snapdragon 855+ was a flagship processor in its time, demanding games in 2024 may require reduced graphics settings for optimal performance. Both phones should be capable of running most titles, but expect some frame drops or the need to lower resolution and detail levels.
❓ Is the waterfall display on the vivo NEX 3 prone to accidental touches during normal use?
Yes, the extreme curvature of the NEX 3’s waterfall display can lead to accidental touches, particularly when holding the phone or using gestures near the edges. This is a common trade-off for maximizing screen real estate and minimizing bezels.
❓ How does OnePlus’s OxygenOS compare to vivo’s Funtouch OS in terms of bloatware and customization?
OxygenOS is generally regarded as a cleaner, more streamlined experience with less pre-installed bloatware compared to Funtouch OS. OxygenOS also offers more extensive customization options, allowing users to tailor the interface to their preferences.
❓ Will either phone receive further software updates in 2024?
Given their age, major Android version updates are unlikely. However, both manufacturers may still release security patches. Check the official websites for the latest update information.