OnePlus Nord 5 vs. vivo X30: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Powerhouses

The vivo X30, while an older model, remains a compelling option in the mid-range, particularly as prices have fallen. However, the newer OnePlus Nord 5 enters the fray with a significantly more modern chipset and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to help you determine which phone delivers the best value for your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 offers a substantial performance leap over the Exynos 980 in the vivo X30, coupled with dramatically faster 80W charging and impressive battery endurance. While the X30 may be cheaper, the Nord 5’s future-proofing and user experience justify the investment.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo X30 OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands41, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2019, December. Released 2019, December2025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions158.5 x 74.1 x 8.8 mm (6.24 x 2.92 x 0.35 in)163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight196.5 g (6.95 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, HDR, 800 nits (typ)Swift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetExynos 980 (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP5Adreno 735
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 10.0Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 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
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama
Quad64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 32 MP, f/2.0, 50mm (telephoto), 1/2.8", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm-
Video4K@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
Type4350 mAh, non-removableMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Peach, Light Blue, Rainbow ShadowPhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsV1938CTCPH2709
PriceAbout 420 EUR£ 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 X30

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Sufficient for basic smartphone tasks
  • Established brand reputation

  • Older chipset with limited performance
  • Slower 33W charging
  • Likely inferior camera performance

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset
  • Ultra-fast 80W charging with multiple standards
  • Excellent battery endurance (49:12h)
  • Bright 1330 nit display

  • Higher price compared to the vivo X30
  • May be larger and heavier than the X30
  • Software updates may be less frequent than some competitors

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 X30. This higher peak brightness translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the X30’s panel quality is likely adequate, the Nord 5’s brightness advantage is a clear win for outdoor users. We lack PWM frequency data for both, but the Nord 5’s newer panel tech may offer improvements in flicker reduction.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs for the vivo X30, a direct comparison is limited. However, the OnePlus Nord 5 likely benefits from a more modern image signal processor (ISP) within the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, enabling improved image processing and noise reduction. The Nord 5’s camera system is expected to deliver better dynamic range and low-light performance. The X30’s camera is likely competent, but will likely fall behind in image quality and features.

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 X30’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 single-core and multi-core 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 to match the Nord 5’s sustained performance.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in battery performance, boasting a 49:12h endurance rating and a 13:47h active use score. This is coupled with incredibly fast 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in just 54 minutes, alongside 33W PPS and 18W PD support, and even 5W reverse wired charging. The vivo X30’s 33W charging is considerably slower. While the X30’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s superior charging speed and endurance make it the clear winner for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo X30 if you prioritize a lower upfront cost and are primarily focused on everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand smoother gaming, faster charging, longer battery life, and a more responsive overall experience, even if it means spending more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 980 in the vivo X30 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 980 is known to throttle under sustained load due to its 8nm process and less efficient thermal design compared to newer chipsets. While casual gaming is fine, demanding titles will likely experience performance drops after extended play.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 impact long-term battery health?
OnePlus employs charging algorithms designed to mitigate the impact of fast charging on battery degradation. The Nord 5 also supports 'bypass charging' which allows direct power to the device, reducing stress on the battery when plugged in. The 1200 cycle rating suggests a robust battery designed for longevity.
❓ Is the difference in CPU architecture (Cortex-A77 vs Cortex-X4) noticeable in everyday use?
Yes, the Cortex-X4 prime core in the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 provides a significant boost in single-core performance, which directly impacts app launch speeds, UI responsiveness, and overall smoothness of the user experience. This difference is particularly noticeable when multitasking or running demanding applications.
❓ What type of display technology does the OnePlus Nord 5 use, and does it support high refresh rates?
While the specific display technology isn't specified, the Nord 5's 1330 nit brightness suggests a high-quality OLED panel. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 supports high refresh rates, and it's likely the Nord 5 features a 120Hz display for smoother scrolling and animations.