The sub-$300 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G and vivo Y54s both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches, with OnePlus prioritizing faster charging and a brighter display, while vivo focuses on a slightly different chipset. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its 30W fast charging, significantly reducing recharge times, and brighter 607 nit display offer a more refined user experience. While the vivo Y54s is a capable device, the Nord CE 5G’s advantages in these key areas justify the often minimal price difference.
| 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, 4, 5, 8, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 28, 41, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1x | 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, November 18 | 2021, June 10 |
| Status | Cancelled | Available. Released 2021, June 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic back, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.4 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.97 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 | 188.4 g (6.63 oz) | 170 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~82.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, OriginOS 1.0 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, Panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 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 |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Blue, Black | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Models | V2045A | EB2101, EB2103 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 250 EUR |
| 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 Y54s
- Faster 30W charging significantly reduces downtime.
- Brighter 607 nit display improves outdoor visibility.
- Snapdragon 750G offers slightly better performance.
- Potentially better sustained performance due to 8nm process.
- May be slightly more expensive than the vivo Y54s.
- Lacks detailed camera specifications.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Potentially lower initial purchase price.
- Decent battery endurance (117h).
- 5G connectivity for future-proofed data speeds.
- MediaTek Dimensity 700 is still a capable chipset.
- Slower 18W charging is a significant drawback.
- Likely dimmer display impacts outdoor usability.
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 607 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Y54s. This higher peak brightness translates to better outdoor visibility, a crucial advantage for users who frequently use their phones in sunlight. While both displays are described as having an 'infinite' contrast ratio (a marketing term), the Nord CE 5G’s brightness provides a more impactful visual experience. Details regarding panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) and refresh rate are missing for both, but given the price point, IPS LCDs are likely, making brightness the key differentiator.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the market segment suggests both will rely on primary sensors in the 48MP-64MP range. The absence of details regarding Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone features it, potentially resulting in less stable video recording and slightly blurrier low-light photos. The usefulness of any secondary 'macro' cameras (often 2MP) is questionable, offering limited image quality improvements.
Performance
Both phones utilize octa-core CPUs, but differ in their underlying chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G features the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8nm), while the vivo Y54s uses the MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). The Snapdragon 750G, built on an 8nm process, generally offers slightly better sustained performance and efficiency compared to the 7nm Dimensity 700. While both CPUs have two high-performance cores clocked at 2.2 GHz, the Snapdragon 750G’s Kryo 570 cores are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 700. This translates to a smoother experience in demanding applications and games. The Snapdragon 750G also benefits from Qualcomm’s Adreno GPU, which typically outperforms the Mali-G57 MC3 found in the Dimensity 700.
Battery Life
Both the OnePlus Nord CE 5G and vivo Y54s achieve an endurance rating of 117 hours, suggesting similar overall battery life. However, the charging capabilities are vastly different. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G supports 30W wired charging, capable of reaching 70% charge in just 30 minutes. The vivo Y54s is limited to 18W wired charging, meaning a full charge will take considerably longer. This difference in charging speed is a significant advantage for the Nord CE 5G, catering to users who need to quickly top up their battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y54s if you prioritize a potentially lower initial cost and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. It’s a solid option for basic smartphone tasks and light 5G usage. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you value faster charging, a brighter and more visible display, and a slightly more refined overall experience, even if it means spending a little extra. This phone is better suited for users who frequently stream video or play mobile games.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 750G in the OnePlus Nord CE 5G get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 750G is generally efficient, and the Nord CE 5G’s thermal design is adequate for moderate gaming. However, prolonged, graphically intensive gaming may lead to some throttling to manage heat. It won't reach critical temperatures, but expect a slight performance dip after extended play.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the vivo Y54s slow enough to be a dealbreaker?
For casual users, 18W charging is sufficient for overnight charging. However, if you frequently need to quickly top up your battery during the day, the slower charging speed will be noticeable and potentially frustrating compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 5G’s 30W charging.
❓ How does the Dimensity 700 handle multitasking compared to the Snapdragon 750G?
The Snapdragon 750G generally handles multitasking slightly more smoothly due to its more efficient CPU architecture and larger cache. While the Dimensity 700 is capable, the Nord CE 5G will likely exhibit less lag when switching between multiple apps.
