OnePlus Nord 5 vs vivo S6 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset provides a substantial performance uplift over the vivo S6 5G’s Exynos 980, and the 80W charging is a game-changer. While the S6 5G offers a budget-friendly entry point, the Nord 5’s longevity and user experience justify the higher price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo S6 5G | OnePlus Nord 5 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2020, March 31. Released 2020, April 12 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 74.7 x 8.7 mm (6.35 x 2.94 x 0.34 in) | 163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 181 g (6.38 oz) | 211 g (7.44 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, HDR10 | Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520) |
| Chipset | Exynos 980 (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G76 MP5 | Adreno 735 |
| OS | Android 10, Funtouch 10.0 | Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, panorama, HDR | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Quad | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.1, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | - | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global) |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White/Blue, Streamer Secret | Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands |
| Models | V1962A, V1962BA | CPH2709 |
| Price | - | £ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.18 W/kg (head) 0.90 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery | - | 49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class B |
| Free fall | - | Class C (90 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
vivo S6 5G
- More affordable price point
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Sufficient for everyday use
- Outdated Exynos 980 chipset
- Slow 18W charging
- Likely inferior camera performance
OnePlus Nord 5
- Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
- Ultra-fast 80W charging
- Bright and vibrant display (1330 nits)
- Excellent battery endurance
- Higher price tag
- May be overkill for basic users
- Potential for software bloat (OnePlus history)
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo S6 5G. This translates to superior visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While panel technology isn't specified for either, the Nord 5’s brightness advantage is a clear win. The S6 5G’s display quality is likely adequate for everyday use, but will fall short in challenging lighting conditions. We expect the Nord 5 to have a higher contrast ratio as well, enhancing the viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the market positioning, we can infer that the OnePlus Nord 5 likely features a more advanced camera system. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) is more capable than the Exynos 980’s, resulting in better image processing, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The S6 5G likely relies on software optimizations to compensate for its less powerful hardware. We anticipate the Nord 5 to offer more versatile shooting modes and higher-quality video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a generational leap ahead of the vivo S6 5G’s Exynos 980 (8nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 and A520 cores, offering significantly improved CPU and GPU performance. The 4nm process node also provides superior thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Exynos 980, while capable, will struggle with demanding titles and multitasking. The Nord 5’s LPDDR5x RAM (spec not provided for S6 5G) further enhances performance.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in battery charging, supporting 80W wired charging, 33W PPS, and 18W PD, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes. It also includes 5W reverse wired charging and bypass charging. The vivo S6 5G is limited to 18W wired charging, resulting in a significantly slower charging time. While the Nord 5’s battery capacity isn’t explicitly stated, its endurance score of 49:12h and active use score of 13:47h suggest excellent battery life, likely optimized by the efficient Snapdragon 8s Gen 3. The S6 5G’s battery life is likely adequate, but the Nord 5 offers a more convenient and faster charging experience.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo S6 5G if you prioritize affordability above all else and your usage is primarily focused on basic tasks like calling, texting, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand smoother multitasking, enjoy mobile gaming, and value fast charging and a brighter, more vibrant display. The Nord 5 is for users who want a phone that will remain capable for years to come.