vivo Y33 vs. OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Shoppers

The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y33 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential features at an accessible price. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, with the Y33 relying on MediaTek’s Helio G80 while the Nord CE 2 Lite opts for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 5G. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance boost over the vivo Y33’s Helio G80. The significantly faster 33W charging also makes the Nord CE 2 Lite more convenient for daily use, offsetting its potentially slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y33 OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, October 042022, April 28
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, October 04Available. Released 2022, April 30
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164 x 75.5 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 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-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired, 70% in 66 min33W wired
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, Light BlueBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
ModelsV2057CPH2381, CPH2409
PriceAbout 270 EURAbout 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

vivo Y33

  • Potentially lower price point
  • Reliable for basic smartphone tasks
  • Acceptable battery life for light users

  • Slower processor and GPU
  • Significantly slower charging speed
  • Less efficient chipset leading to potential throttling

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 695 5G
  • Significantly faster 33W charging
  • Better overall performance for gaming and multitasking

  • Potentially higher price
  • LCD display isn't exceptional
  • May not be a significant upgrade for very basic users

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the Y33, its market positioning suggests an LCD panel. The Nord CE 2 Lite also utilizes an LCD. The key difference lies in processing power; the Snapdragon 695’s ISP can likely deliver slightly better image processing for display output. However, both will likely offer adequate viewing experiences for everyday use, but don't expect vibrant colors or high peak brightness.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 695’s image signal processor (ISP) is generally more capable than the Helio G80’s, offering better noise reduction and dynamic range. The Y33 likely relies heavily on software processing to compensate for its less powerful ISP. Both phones likely include standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but the Nord CE 2 Lite is expected to produce more consistent and detailed images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The inclusion of OIS on the Nord CE 2 Lite (a common feature in this chipset tier) would further enhance image quality.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant differentiator. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a clear upgrade over the vivo Y33’s MediaTek Helio G80 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance is higher on the OnePlus. While both CPUs feature an octa-core configuration with similar core arrangements (2x performance cores, 6x efficiency cores), the Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores operate at a higher clock speed (2.2 GHz vs 2.0 GHz), providing a tangible performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The Snapdragon 695 also benefits from a more modern GPU, further widening the performance gap in gaming.

Battery Life

The vivo Y33’s 18W charging is significantly slower than the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the faster charging speed of the Nord CE 2 Lite is a major convenience factor. The Y33 takes approximately 66 minutes to reach 70% charge, implying a full charge will take well over 90 minutes. The Nord CE 2 Lite can likely achieve a full charge in under an hour. The Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer battery life on the OnePlus, despite potentially having a similar capacity battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y33 if your primary need is a basic, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use, and you prioritize a lower upfront cost. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you want a smoother, more responsive experience, faster charging, and a chipset capable of handling more demanding apps and occasional gaming, even if it means spending a bit more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it's not a flagship gaming chip, it offers a significantly better gaming experience than the Helio G80 in the vivo Y33, which may struggle with consistent performance even at lower settings.
❓ How much faster is the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y33 in real-world use?
The 33W charging on the Nord CE 2 Lite will noticeably reduce your charging time. While the Y33 takes over 66 minutes to reach 70% charge, the Nord CE 2 Lite can likely achieve a full charge in under an hour, providing a much more convenient top-up during short breaks.
❓ Is the difference in performance between the Helio G80 and Snapdragon 695 noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
Yes, the difference is noticeable. The Snapdragon 695 offers a smoother and more responsive experience when multitasking, opening apps, and scrolling through websites. While the Helio G80 is adequate for basic tasks, the Snapdragon 695 provides a more fluid and enjoyable user experience.