OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs vivo V21: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power and Endurance
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G emerges as the stronger contender. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset and blazing-fast 65W charging offer a noticeable performance and convenience advantage, outweighing the vivo V21’s slightly better battery endurance rating.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo V21 | OnePlus Nord 2 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 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, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, April 27 | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May 05 | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm (6.29 x 2.91 x 0.29 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 | 176 g (6.21 oz) | 189 g (6.67 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G77 MC9 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 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@30fps (no OIS), 1080p@30/60fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR | Auto HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF, OIS | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm |
| Video | 4K@30fps (no OIS), 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 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 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/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 | 33W wired, 63% in 30 min | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Dusk Blue, Sunset Dazzle | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | V2066, V2108 | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 320 EUR | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 123h | Endurance rating 102h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | -28.2 LUFS (Average) | -24.3 LUFS (Very good) |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 336699 (v8), 365055 (v9) GeekBench: 6516 (v4.4), 1600 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo V21
- Longer battery endurance rating (123h)
- Sleek and lightweight design (implied by brand reputation)
- Potentially strong selfie camera (typical of vivo)
- Less powerful chipset (Dimensity 800U)
- Slower charging speed (33W)
- Lower peak display brightness
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
- Blazing-fast 65W charging
- Higher peak display brightness (633 nits)
- Shorter battery endurance rating (102h)
- Potentially more heat generation under heavy load
- May be slightly heavier than the V21
Display Comparison
Both devices boast an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, suggesting deep blacks, but the Nord 2 5G pulls ahead with a measured peak brightness of 633 nits. This translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (implied by the contrast ratio), the Nord 2 5G’s higher brightness is a tangible benefit for outdoor use. The V21 lacks specific brightness data, making a direct comparison difficult, but the Nord 2 5G clearly has the edge here.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having Photo/Video capabilities, but lack detailed camera specifications. However, the market positioning of the Nord 2 5G suggests a more robust camera system. While the V21 may excel in selfie performance (a common vivo strength), the Nord 2 5G’s more powerful ISP (Image Signal Processor) within the Dimensity 1200 chipset likely provides superior image processing and potentially better low-light performance. Without sensor size or aperture data, a definitive judgment is impossible, but the Nord 2 5G’s chipset gives it a likely advantage.
Performance
The performance gap is substantial. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a significant upgrade over the vivo V21’s Dimensity 800U (7nm). The 1200 features a more advanced CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, versus the V21’s 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This architectural difference, coupled with the smaller 6nm process node, results in faster processing speeds and improved efficiency. The Nord 2 5G will handle demanding games and multitasking with greater ease.
Battery Life
The vivo V21 claims an endurance rating of 123 hours, while the OnePlus Nord 2 5G manages 102 hours. This suggests the V21 will last longer on a single charge under moderate use. However, the Nord 2 5G compensates with significantly faster charging: 65W wired with full charge in 30 minutes, compared to the V21’s 33W charging (63% in 30 minutes). This means the Nord 2 5G can quickly top up its battery, mitigating the slightly lower endurance rating. The convenience of rapid charging is a major advantage for many users.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V21 if you prioritize a consistently long battery life and a sleek design, and don't heavily rely on demanding mobile games or intensive multitasking. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you value speed, responsiveness, and rapid charging, making it ideal for gamers, power users, and those who frequently capture photos and videos.