The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y31, powered by the newer Snapdragon 4 Gen 2, challenges the established OnePlus Nord CE 5G, which utilizes the Snapdragon 750G. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the better choice. While the vivo Y31 boasts a more modern 4nm chipset, the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G provides a noticeable performance edge in real-world usage and gaming, coupled with a comparable battery life experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| 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 |
| | - | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 15 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, September 15 | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.1 x 77 x 8.4 mm (6.54 x 3.03 x 0.33 in) | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 209 g (7.37 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Guardian Glass (ion-strengthened) | - |
| Resolution | 720 x 1608 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.68 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4450 Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 613 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 15, Funtouch 15 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Ring-LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
2 MP, f/2.4, (depth) | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 50% in 38 min
Reverse wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Ion 6500 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Rose Red, Diamond Green | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | V2036, V2036_21 | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| SAR | 1.13 W/kg (head) 0.99 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 117h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-29.9 LUFS (Average)
|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9)
GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo Y31
- Newer Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 chipset (4nm)
- Faster 44W wired charging
- Potential for longer software support
- Likely lower peak display brightness
- Potentially less powerful CPU/GPU compared to Snapdragon 750G
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 750G chipset
- Higher peak display brightness (607 nits)
- Proven performance and user experience
- Slower 30W wired charging
- Older 8nm chipset process
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G features a display capable of reaching 607 nits of peak brightness, offering excellent visibility outdoors. While the vivo Y31’s display specifications are not provided, it’s likely to be lower, potentially impacting outdoor usability. Both devices lack high refresh rate panels, focusing on power efficiency. The Nord CE 5G’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard IPS panel, while the Y31’s panel characteristics remain unknown.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is lacking for both. Without specifics on sensor size, aperture, or image stabilization (OIS), a direct comparison is difficult. It’s reasonable to assume the Nord CE 5G, being a slightly higher-tier device, may have a more capable primary sensor. The presence of a 2MP macro lens on either device is unlikely to significantly impact image quality, serving primarily as a marketing feature.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The vivo Y31’s Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 (4nm) utilizes a 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and 6x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s Snapdragon 750G (8nm) employs 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. Despite the Y31’s newer 4nm process, the 750G’s Kryo cores and higher overall performance ceiling translate to a smoother experience in demanding tasks. The 8nm process of the 750G is a mature node, offering a good balance of performance and efficiency. The Y31’s newer architecture *could* offer better efficiency, but the 750G’s raw power is more impactful for most users.
Battery Life
Both devices boast an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting comparable real-world battery life. However, charging speeds differ significantly. The vivo Y31 supports 44W wired charging, reaching 50% in 38 minutes, while the OnePlus Nord CE 5G offers 30W charging, achieving 70% in 30 minutes. The Y31’s faster charging *could* be more convenient for quick top-ups, despite the Nord CE 5G’s slightly faster initial charge rate.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y31 if you prioritize the latest processor architecture and potentially longer-term software support, and are willing to trade some raw performance for a newer chip. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value a smoother, more responsive user experience, particularly for gaming and demanding applications, and appreciate a proven track record from OnePlus.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 in the vivo Y31 offer a significant gaming advantage over the Snapdragon 750G in the Nord CE 5G?
While the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 is newer, the Snapdragon 750G generally provides a more robust gaming experience due to its more powerful GPU and higher overall processing capabilities. Expect smoother frame rates and better performance in demanding titles on the Nord CE 5G.
❓ How much faster is the 44W charging on the vivo Y31 compared to the 30W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G in real-world use?
The Y31 reaches 50% charge in 38 minutes, while the Nord CE 5G reaches 70% in 30 minutes. This means the Y31 is faster to reach the halfway point, but the Nord CE 5G gets you further along in the same timeframe. For a full charge, the difference will be less pronounced, but the Y31 will likely be quicker overall.
❓ Is the difference in chipset architecture (4nm vs 8nm) noticeable in everyday tasks?
The 4nm process of the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 *should* offer better power efficiency, potentially leading to slightly longer battery life during light usage. However, the Snapdragon 750G’s superior processing power will be more noticeable during multitasking, app loading, and demanding applications.
