vivo V50 Lite vs. OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo V50 Lite and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, but they take different approaches. The V50 Lite prioritizes charging speed and battery endurance, while the Nord CE 2 Lite leans on Qualcomm's established 5G platform. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and incredibly fast charging, the vivo V50 Lite is the clear winner. Its 90W charging and impressive 61:19h endurance significantly outperform the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, despite the latter's Qualcomm chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo V50 Lite OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 202022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 25Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.8 x 76.3 x 7.8 mm (6.45 x 3.00 x 0.31 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight197 g (6.95 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
ProtectionMohs level 4-
Resolution1080 x 2392 pixels (~388 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.77 inches, 110.9 cm2 (~88.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, 1300 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 15, Funtouch 15Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide)-
FeaturesRing-LED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging90W wired, 50% in 23 min, 100% in 52 min 6W reverse wired33W wired
TypeSi/C Li-Ion 6500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, Titanium Gold, Fantasy Purple, Silk GreenBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
ModelsV2440CPH2381, CPH2409
Price€ 259.00 / $ 391.16About 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery61:19h endurance, 1000 cycles-
EnergyClass B-
Free fallClass A (270 falls)-
RepairabilityClass C-

vivo V50 Lite

  • Incredibly fast 90W charging
  • Exceptional battery endurance (61:19h)
  • Potentially stronger multi-core CPU performance with Dimensity 6300

  • Software experience (Funtouch OS) may not appeal to all users
  • Camera performance is unknown and potentially average

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Well-established brand reputation (OnePlus)
  • Smooth software experience (OxygenOS)
  • Qualcomm 5G modem for reliable connectivity

  • Significantly slower charging (33W)
  • Lower battery endurance compared to vivo V50 Lite
  • CPU architecture is older generation

Display Comparison

Display specifications are not provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the price bracket, both likely utilize LCD panels. The focus here shifts to software optimization. OnePlus' OxygenOS is known for its customization options and generally accurate color calibration. Vivo's Funtouch OS has improved significantly, but historically has been more prone to aggressive color boosting. Bezels are likely comparable, and neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate panels.

Camera Comparison

Camera details are absent beyond the presence of sensors. Assuming typical configurations for this price point, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G likely has a slight advantage due to Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP) generally offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. However, the vivo V50 Lite could compensate with more aggressive software processing. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices renders them largely irrelevant; image quality will be significantly better from the main sensor, and its size and aperture are unknown.

Performance

The vivo V50 Lite’s Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6nm) and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) represent a fascinating architectural clash. The Dimensity 6300 boasts a more modern CPU core configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – compared to the Snapdragon 695’s 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver. This suggests a potential edge in multi-core performance for the vivo, particularly in tasks that can leverage all eight cores. While the Snapdragon 695 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized 5G modem, the Dimensity 6300’s newer architecture may offer better efficiency. The impact of RAM speed (likely LPDDR4X on both) is less significant than the chipset differences.

Battery Life

The vivo V50 Lite’s battery endurance of 61:19h is a standout feature, indicating exceptional power efficiency. This is coupled with a blistering 90W wired charging capability, achieving 50% charge in just 23 minutes and a full charge in 52 minutes. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W charging is significantly slower by comparison. While the battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the V50 Lite’s superior endurance and charging speed clearly position it as the winner in this category. The 6W reverse wired charging on the V50 Lite is a useful addition for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo V50 Lite if you need a phone that can easily last a full day and recharge in under an hour, making it ideal for travelers or heavy users. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prioritize a well-known brand with a generally smooth software experience and are less concerned with maximizing battery life or charging speed. The Nord CE 2 Lite is a solid all-rounder, but the V50 Lite excels in key areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 in the vivo V50 Lite get hot during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 6300 is a 6nm chip, thermal performance depends heavily on the phone's cooling system, which isn't specified. However, the chip's efficiency suggests it should handle moderate gaming without excessive throttling. Expect performance to be adequate for popular titles at medium settings.
❓ Is the 90W charging on the vivo V50 Lite safe for the battery's long-term health?
Vivo claims the V50 Lite's battery is rated for 1000 cycles, suggesting robust battery management alongside the 90W charging. Modern smartphones employ sophisticated charging algorithms to minimize heat and prevent overcharging, mitigating potential long-term degradation. However, consistent use of extremely fast charging *can* contribute to faster battery wear over several years.
❓ Will the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G receive long-term software support and updates?
OnePlus typically provides two major Android updates and three years of security patches for its CE series devices. This is a reasonable level of support, but it's less extensive than what flagship OnePlus phones receive. Check OnePlus' official website for the specific update schedule for the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G.