OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs. vivo Y3: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the clear winner. Its significantly more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset and blazing-fast 65W charging provide a dramatically improved user experience, justifying the potential price difference over the vivo Y3.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo Y3 | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 400/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2019, May. Released 2019, May | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.4 x 76.7 x 8.9 mm (6.28 x 3.02 x 0.35 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190.5 g (6.70 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1544 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~268 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.35 inches, 99.6 cm2 (~81.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6765 Helio P35 (12 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | PowerVR GE8320 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 9.0 (Pie), Funtouch 9.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/3.06", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | microUSB 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 (rear-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 65W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Peacock blue, Peach powder (pink), Ink blue | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | - | IV2201 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
vivo Y3
- Extremely affordable price point
- Functional for basic smartphone tasks
- Potentially longer battery life due to less power-hungry chipset
- Slow performance with noticeable lag
- Outdated chipset architecture
- Slow charging speeds
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Significantly faster performance
- Blazing-fast 65W charging
- More modern chipset with 5G connectivity
- Higher price compared to the vivo Y3
- Potentially shorter battery life due to more powerful processor
- May require more frequent software updates
Display Comparison
Neither device's display specifications are provided, so we must infer. Given the Y3's positioning, it likely features a 720p+ LCD panel. The Nord CE 2 5G, being a step up, likely boasts a 1080p AMOLED display. This difference in panel technology is crucial; AMOLED offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles. The Nord CE 2 5G's higher resolution will also result in a sharper image. While specific refresh rates are unknown, the Nord CE 2 5G is more likely to offer a 90Hz or 120Hz panel for smoother scrolling.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset difference hints at superior image processing capabilities on the Nord CE 2 5G. The Dimensity 900 includes a more advanced Image Signal Processor (ISP), enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image quality. While both phones likely feature a primary camera, the Nord CE 2 5G is more likely to include features like Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for sharper photos and videos, and potentially a wider range of shooting modes. The Y3 likely relies heavily on software processing to compensate for a less capable sensor.
Performance
The performance gap between these two phones is substantial. The vivo Y3's Mediatek Helio P35, built on a 12nm process, utilizes older Cortex-A53 cores. This translates to slower app loading times and noticeable lag when multitasking. In contrast, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G's Dimensity 900, fabricated on a more efficient 6nm process, features powerful Cortex-A78 cores. This architecture provides a significant performance boost – roughly 50-70% faster CPU performance – making the Nord CE 2 5G far more capable for demanding apps and games. The Dimensity 900 also benefits from a more modern GPU, offering a better gaming experience.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn't specified for either device, but the charging speeds tell a story. The vivo Y3's 18W charging is relatively slow, requiring over two hours for a full charge. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G's 65W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer, capable of charging the battery from 0 to 100% in around 30-35 minutes. This drastically reduces downtime and provides a much more convenient charging experience. Even if the Y3 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the Nord CE 2 5G's faster charging effectively mitigates any potential advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y3 if you prioritize extreme affordability and only need a phone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media. It's a functional device for those on a very tight budget. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you value performance for gaming and multitasking, faster charging speeds, and a more modern chipset that will likely receive longer software support.