The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y32 offers a reliable experience focused on battery life and efficiency, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G prioritizes 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset provides a noticeable performance boost and future-proofs connectivity, while the 33W SuperVOOC charging significantly reduces downtime. The Y32 remains a viable option for those prioritizing maximum battery longevity and a lower initial cost.
| 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, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 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, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, December 18 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, December 31 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 8 mm (6.47 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) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4x1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), AF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | - |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8 | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX Adaptive | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired
5W reverse wired | 33W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Blue, Light Blue | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | V2158A | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y32
- Excellent battery efficiency with Snapdragon 680
- More affordable price point
- Reverse wired charging for accessories
- Limited to 4G connectivity
- Slower charging speeds (18W)
- Less powerful processor for demanding tasks
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
- Faster 33W SuperVOOC charging
- More powerful Snapdragon 695 processor
- Potentially shorter battery life due to 5G and processor
- Slightly higher price
- May require more frequent charging
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common choice in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on visual fidelity, but functionality. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the real difference lies elsewhere. The Y32's value proposition centers around efficiency, suggesting a potentially lower-power display, while the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's faster processor could support a slightly more demanding display experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market positioning suggests the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G likely has a more capable main camera sensor. Both phones will almost certainly include multiple rear cameras, but the Y32’s focus on cost-cutting likely means a simpler camera system. Image processing will also differ; OnePlus typically aims for a more vibrant, social media-ready look, while vivo often prioritizes natural colors. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests image stabilization will rely on software algorithms.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the vivo Y32’s Snapdragon 680 4G (6nm). The 695 features a more modern CPU architecture (Kryo 660 vs Kryo 265) with a higher peak clock speed on its performance cores (2.2 GHz vs 2.4 GHz – though clock speed isn’t everything). More importantly, the 695 integrates a 5G modem, offering significantly faster download and upload speeds where available. The Y32 is limited to 4G. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and a more responsive gaming experience on the OnePlus. The Snapdragon 695 also benefits from improved GPU performance, making it the better choice for casual gamers.
Battery Life
The vivo Y32’s strength is its efficiency. While the exact battery capacity isn’t specified, the Snapdragon 680 is known for its power efficiency. Coupled with 18W charging, it should deliver all-day battery life for moderate users. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, with its more powerful processor and 5G connectivity, will likely consume more power. However, its 33W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer. This significantly reduces charging times – a full charge will likely take under an hour, compared to potentially over two hours for the Y32. This faster charging mitigates the potential battery life disadvantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y32 if you need a dependable phone primarily for basic tasks like calls, messaging, and light social media, and value long battery life above all else. You'll appreciate its efficiency and affordability. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prefer a smoother, more responsive experience, want 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, and prioritize quick charging to minimize interruptions. It's ideal for users who stream videos, play mobile games, or frequently use data-intensive apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it offers a playable experience for casual gamers. The Y32's Snapdragon 680 will struggle more with demanding titles.
❓ How much faster is 33W charging on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G compared to the Y32's 18W charging?
The difference is substantial. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's 33W SuperVOOC charging can take a phone from 0% to 100% in around 60-70 minutes, while the Y32's 18W charging will likely take over two hours. This means less time tethered to a charger and more time using your phone.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
While specific carrier aggregation support varies by region and carrier, the Snapdragon 695 generally supports carrier aggregation, which can significantly improve 5G download speeds in areas with good network coverage. This is a key advantage over the Y32's 4G-only connectivity.
