The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and vivo V21e 5G represent compelling options. While both aim to deliver a 5G experience without breaking the bank, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving that goal. The Nord 2 prioritizes raw performance, while the V21e focuses on a balance of features and affordability. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G emerges as the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset provides a substantial performance advantage over the V21e’s Dimensity 700, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. While both offer comparable battery endurance and fast charging, the Nord 2’s overall package is more compelling.
| 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, 8, 38, 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 | 78 SA/NSA | 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 / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 24 | 2021, July 22 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 28 | Available. Released 2021, July 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.9 x 7.7 or 7.8 mm | 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 | 165 g or 167 g (5.82 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 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 430 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 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 700 (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | 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 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | - | 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, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Auto HDR |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.0, (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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 | 44W wired, 72% in 30 min | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min |
| Type | 4000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sunset Jazz, Dark Pearl | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition |
| Models | V2055 | DN2101, DN2103 |
| Price | About 310 EUR | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 |
| SAR | 0.86 W/kg (head) 0.72 W/kg (body) | - |
| 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 V21e 5G
- More affordable price point
- Sleek and lightweight design (assumed)
- Decent battery life
- Significantly weaker processor
- Potentially lower display brightness
- Less refined camera system
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- Much faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
- Faster 65W charging with PD
- Brighter and potentially smoother display
- Higher price tag
- Potentially larger and heavier build
- May require more frequent charging due to performance demands
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the V21e. This difference is noticeable in direct sunlight. While both displays likely utilize AMOLED technology (implied by the 'Infinite' contrast ratio on the Nord 2), the Nord 2’s higher brightness and potentially better color calibration provide a more vibrant and visually appealing experience. The absence of refresh rate information for the V21e suggests it may be limited to 60Hz, while the Nord 2 is likely to offer a smoother 90Hz or 120Hz experience, enhancing scrolling and animations.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are advertised as having capable photo and video capabilities, but details are sparse. Without specific sensor size or aperture information for the V21e, it’s difficult to make a direct comparison. However, the Nord 2’s likely larger sensor and more advanced image processing algorithms (typical of OnePlus flagships) should result in better low-light performance and more detailed images. The absence of information regarding OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device makes it difficult to assess video stabilization capabilities. It's safe to assume that the Nord 2, being the higher-tier device, will offer more refined camera software and potentially more shooting modes.
Performance
The core difference between these two phones lies in their chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a significant leap ahead of the vivo V21e 5G’s Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Dimensity 1200 features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, versus the V21e’s 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. This translates to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks. Furthermore, the Dimensity 1200’s superior GPU will deliver a noticeably better gaming experience. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also contributes to better thermal efficiency, potentially mitigating throttling during sustained workloads.
Battery Life
Both the vivo V21e 5G and OnePlus Nord 2 5G achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life. However, the charging speeds differ significantly. The Nord 2 5G’s 65W wired charging with PD support can fully charge the battery in just 30 minutes, while the V21e’s 44W charging reaches 72% in the same timeframe. This faster charging speed on the Nord 2 is a significant convenience factor, allowing for quick top-ups throughout the day. While battery capacity isn't specified, the faster charging of the Nord 2 effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo V21e 5G if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are a casual user who primarily uses their phone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you demand a more responsive and capable device for gaming, content creation, or heavy multitasking, and are willing to spend a bit more for a significantly improved user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Mediatek Dimensity 700 in the vivo V21e 5G sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Dimensity 700 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. The Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 offers a significantly better gaming experience, allowing for higher settings and more consistent performance.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2 5G experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 1200's 6nm process node and OnePlus's thermal management system are designed to mitigate throttling. While some heat is inevitable during prolonged gaming, the Nord 2 generally maintains stable performance for longer periods than devices with less efficient chipsets.
❓ How does the 44W charging on the vivo V21e 5G compare to the 65W SuperVOOC charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G in real-world usage?
The Nord 2's 65W charging is considerably faster. While the V21e reaches 72% in 30 minutes, the Nord 2 achieves a full charge in the same timeframe. This means less downtime and more convenience for Nord 2 users.
❓ Are there any significant software differences between OxygenOS on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and Funtouch OS on the vivo V21e 5G?
OxygenOS is generally favored for its cleaner, more stock-Android-like experience and faster updates. Funtouch OS, while improved in recent years, often includes more pre-installed apps and a more customized interface. This is a matter of personal preference, but OxygenOS is often considered more user-friendly for those accustomed to a pure Android experience.
