The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE5 and vivo Y50t represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The Y50t leverages Qualcomm's Snapdragon 720G, a known quantity, while the Nord CE5 introduces the newer Mediatek Dimensity 8350. This comparison dives deep into the architectural differences and real-world implications of these choices, helping you determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE5 emerges as the superior choice. Its significantly more powerful Dimensity 8350 chipset, coupled with blazing-fast 80W charging and a brighter display, justifies the likely price premium. However, the vivo Y50t remains a viable option for those prioritizing a lower initial cost and moderate performance.
| 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 - International |
| 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, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 16 | 2025, July 08 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, November 16 | Available. Released 2025, July 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in) | 163.6 x 76 x 8.2 mm (6.44 x 2.99 x 0.32 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 199 g (7.02 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Mohs level 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) | 1080 x 2392 pixels (~387 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.77 inches, 111.5 cm2 (~89.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1300 nits (HBM), 1430 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.3 GHz Kryo 465 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 465 Silver) | Octa-core (1x3.35 GHz Cortex-A715 & 3x3.20 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.20 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 8350 Apex (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 618 | Mali G615-MC6 |
| OS | Android 10, OriginOS | Android 15, ColorOS 15 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps (HDR), 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, 720p@960fps, gyro-EIS, OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | Panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 23mm (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5 |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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 |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 80W wired
Bypass charging |
| Type | 4500 mAh | Market-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Global)· Si/C Li-Ion 7100 mAh (India) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue | Marble Mist, Black Infinity, Nexus Blue |
| Models | V2023EA | CPH2719 |
| Price | About 190 EUR | € 279.99 / £ 229.00 / ₹ 24,998 |
| SAR | - | 1.20 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | - | 61:48h endurance, 1200 cycles |
| Energy | - | Class A |
| Free fall | - | Class A (300 falls) |
| Repairability | - | Class B |
vivo Y50t
- Lower price point
- Reliable Snapdragon 720G performance for basic tasks
- Potentially longer software support (vivo's track record)
- Significantly slower charging (18W)
- Less powerful chipset for gaming and demanding apps
- Likely inferior display quality
OnePlus Nord CE5
- Blazing-fast 80W charging
- Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 8350 chipset
- Brighter and potentially higher-quality display
- Excellent battery endurance
- Higher price
- Mediatek chipsets sometimes have shorter software support lifecycles
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1231 nits. This is a substantial advantage over what we'd expect from the Y50t, making the Nord CE5 far more usable outdoors under direct sunlight. While the Y50t's panel specifications aren't provided, it's likely to be a standard IPS LCD, lacking the color accuracy and contrast of a potentially AMOLED panel on the Nord CE5. The Nord CE5's higher brightness also suggests a more modern panel technology, potentially with improved viewing angles.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications for the vivo Y50t, a direct comparison is challenging. However, the market positioning suggests the Nord CE5 likely features a more sophisticated camera system. While both phones likely include multiple lenses, the Nord CE5 benefits from the processing power of the Dimensity 8350, enabling more advanced image processing algorithms. The Snapdragon 720G in the Y50t is adequate for basic photography, but will struggle with low-light performance and dynamic range compared to the Nord CE5. We can assume the Nord CE5 will have better video recording capabilities as well.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE5's Mediatek Dimensity 8350, built on a 4nm process, represents a significant leap in performance and efficiency compared to the vivo Y50t's Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G (8nm). The Dimensity 8350's octa-core configuration, featuring a Cortex-A715 prime core clocked at 3.35 GHz, delivers substantially faster CPU and GPU performance. The Snapdragon 720G, while capable, is showing its age. The 4nm node of the Dimensity 8350 also translates to better thermal management, reducing the likelihood of performance throttling during extended gaming sessions. The Nord CE5 is the clear winner for users who demand responsiveness and smooth multitasking.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE5 excels in charging speed with its 80W wired charging, enabling incredibly fast top-ups. While the Y50t offers 18W charging, it's considerably slower. The Nord CE5's battery endurance is rated at 61:48 hours, with an active use score of 14:42 hours, indicating excellent battery life despite the power-hungry chipset. The Y50t's battery capacity isn't specified, but the slower charging suggests a smaller battery or less efficient charging circuitry. The Nord CE5's bypass charging feature further enhances battery health by allowing direct power delivery when plugged in, reducing heat generation.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y50t if you need a functional, reliable smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light photography, and your budget is extremely tight. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE5 if you prioritize performance for gaming and demanding apps, value rapid charging, and appreciate a brighter, more vibrant display. The Nord CE5 is the better choice for power users and those planning to keep their phone for several years.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 8350 in the OnePlus Nord CE5 get excessively hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 8350's 4nm process and the Nord CE5's thermal design are optimized to mitigate overheating. While some warmth is expected during intensive gaming, the chipset is designed to maintain stable performance for extended periods, unlike older, less efficient chipsets.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the vivo Y50t slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than the 80W charging on the Nord CE5. Expect significantly longer charging times – potentially over two hours for a full charge – which can be inconvenient for users accustomed to faster charging speeds.
❓ How does the Snapdragon 720G in the vivo Y50t handle multitasking compared to the Dimensity 8350?
The Snapdragon 720G is capable of handling moderate multitasking, but the Dimensity 8350 offers a much smoother and more responsive experience, especially when switching between multiple demanding apps. The Dimensity 8350's superior CPU and RAM management prevent slowdowns and stutters.
❓ Will the OnePlus Nord CE5 receive consistent software updates and security patches?
OnePlus has a generally good track record for software updates, but Mediatek-powered devices sometimes receive shorter support lifecycles compared to Qualcomm-powered phones. Check OnePlus's official update policy for the Nord CE5 to confirm the expected duration of software support.
