OnePlus Nord 5 vs. vivo Y51s: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range Power and Efficiency

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 5 and vivo Y51s represent distinct approaches. The Y51s, powered by the Exynos 880, aims for affordability, while the Nord 5 leverages the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 to deliver a significant performance boost. This comparison dissects these two devices, revealing which one best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 5 is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset offers substantially faster performance and improved efficiency, complemented by blazing-fast 80W charging and a brighter display. While the vivo Y51s provides a budget-friendly option, the Nord 5’s advantages justify the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y51s OnePlus Nord 5
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66 - International
5G bands1, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5G (3.6+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, July 24. Released 2020, July 292025, July 08
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2025, July 08
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 7i), glass back, plastic frame
Dimensions162 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm (6.38 x 3.02 x 0.33 in)163.4 x 77 x 8.1 mm (6.43 x 3.03 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)211 g (7.44 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, Mohs level 6
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1272 x 2800 pixels (~450 ppi density)
Size6.53 inches, 104.7 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.83 inches, 113.3 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDSwift AMOLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, 3840Hz PWM, HDR10+, 800 nits (typ), 1400 nits (HBM), 1800 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A77 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X4 & 4x2.8 GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetExynos 880 (8 nm)Qualcomm SM8635 Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP5Adreno 735
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades, OxygenOS 15
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
Dual-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, AF
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, Ultra HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRPanorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)50 MP, f/2.0, 21mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps; gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack Yes-
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC 5
Infrared port-Yes
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBmicroUSB 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired80W wired, 33W PPS, 18W PD, 100% in just 54 min 5W reverse wired Bypass charging
Type4500 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· 5200 mAh (Europe)· 6800 mAh (Global)
Misc
ColorsBlack, Blue, WhitePhantom Grey, Dry Ice, Marble Sands
ModelsV2002ACPH2709
PriceAbout 250 EUR£ 339.00 / € 294.97 / ₹ 31,998
SAR-1.18 W/kg (head)     0.90 W/kg (body)
EU LABEL
Battery-49:12h endurance, 1200 cycles
Energy-Class B
Free fall-Class C (90 falls)
Repairability-Class B

vivo Y51s

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for basic tasks
  • Acceptable battery life for light users

  • Slower charging speed
  • Less powerful chipset
  • Potentially limited software support

OnePlus Nord 5

  • Significantly faster performance
  • Blazing-fast 80W charging
  • Brighter and potentially higher-quality display
  • Longer battery endurance

  • Higher price tag
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Potential for software bloat (typical of OnePlus)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured peak of 1330 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Y51s. This higher brightness translates to superior visibility in direct sunlight. While the Y51s’ panel technology isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s brightness advantage suggests a more advanced panel, potentially with higher contrast. Bezels are likely comparable given the market segment, but the Nord 5’s superior brightness is a clear win for outdoor usability.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for either device, a direct comparison is limited. However, given the Nord 5’s positioning, it’s reasonable to expect a more sophisticated camera system with a larger main sensor and potentially optical image stabilization (OIS). The Y51s likely relies on software processing to compensate for a potentially smaller sensor. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the Y51s is a common, but often underwhelming, feature, offering limited practical benefit compared to a well-tuned primary sensor.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 5’s Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y51s’ Exynos 880 (8nm). The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 features a Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.0 GHz, alongside Cortex-A720 performance cores, offering a significant leap in CPU performance. The Exynos 880’s Cortex-A77 cores, while capable, are older and less efficient. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 also provides better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. The Nord 5 is the clear winner for demanding users.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord 5 excels in battery performance and charging. Its 49:12h endurance and 13:47h active use score demonstrate impressive longevity. Crucially, the 80W wired charging, with support for 33W PPS and 18W PD, can fully charge the device in just 54 minutes. The vivo Y51s, with only 18W wired charging, will take considerably longer to reach 100%. While the Y51s’ battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord 5’s faster charging and overall endurance make it the more convenient option for users who prioritize minimizing downtime.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y51s if you prioritize extreme affordability and basic smartphone functionality, and are willing to compromise on performance and charging speed. You'll appreciate its lower price point for everyday tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord 5 if you demand a smoother, more responsive experience, especially for gaming and demanding applications, and value rapid charging and a vibrant display. It’s the better investment for power users.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 880 in the vivo Y51s overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Exynos 880, built on an 8nm process, is prone to throttling under sustained load. While it can handle casual gaming, demanding titles may experience frame drops and overheating, impacting the overall gaming experience. The larger thermal headroom of the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the Nord 5 mitigates this issue.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord 5 compare to typical fast charging solutions?
80W charging is exceptionally fast, fully charging the Nord 5 in approximately 54 minutes. This is significantly quicker than the 18W charging on the Y51s, and even faster than many other phones utilizing 65W or 67W charging. The Nord 5 also supports PPS and PD standards for broader compatibility.
❓ Is the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in the OnePlus Nord 5 capable of running demanding games like Genshin Impact at high settings?
Yes, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is well-equipped to handle Genshin Impact at high settings. The Adreno GPU offers substantial graphical power, and the efficient 4nm process prevents excessive throttling, allowing for a smoother and more consistent gaming experience compared to the Exynos 880.
❓ What is 'bypass charging' on the OnePlus Nord 5 and how does it benefit users?
Bypass charging allows the phone to be powered directly from the charger, bypassing the battery during use. This reduces heat buildup and battery wear, extending the battery's lifespan, especially during extended gaming or video streaming sessions while charging.