The sub-₹20,000 (approximately $240 USD) 5G smartphone segment in India is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y72 5G, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 480, aims for affordability, while the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, with its MediaTek Dimensity 900, targets a more balanced experience. This comparison dissects their key differences to help you choose the right device.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the superior choice. Its Dimensity 900 chipset delivers significantly better CPU and GPU performance, and the blazing-fast 65W charging is a game-changer. While the Y72 5G offers a lower entry price, the Nord CE 2’s overall experience justifies the price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 15 | 2022, February 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 15 | Available. Released 2022, February 22 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185.5 g (6.56 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, HDR10, 460 nits (typ) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4350 Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 11, Funtouch 11.1 | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 48 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 8 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO | 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/6, 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 | 65W wired |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Prism Magic, Slate Grey | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue |
| Models | V2060 | IV2201 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 |
| SAR | 1.04 W/kg (head) | - |
vivo Y72 5G (India)
- More affordable price point
- 5G connectivity for future-proofing
- Decent battery life for basic usage
- Significantly slower performance
- Slow 18W charging
- Less capable camera system
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Superior performance with Dimensity 900
- Blazing-fast 65W SuperVOOC charging
- Likely better camera image processing
- Higher price compared to vivo Y72 5G
- May not be significantly better in all camera scenarios
- Potential for software bloat (typical of OnePlus)
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on processing power, not visual fidelity. Both likely utilize LCD panels common in this price bracket. The real difference lies elsewhere.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the processing capabilities of the Dimensity 900 in the Nord CE 2 5G likely provide superior image processing, resulting in better dynamic range and noise reduction. The Snapdragon 480’s ISP is adequate for basic photography, but will struggle with complex scenes or low-light conditions. The presence of a larger sensor (likely, given the price difference) in the Nord CE 2 would further enhance its camera performance.
Performance
The core distinction lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s MediaTek Dimensity 900, fabricated on a more efficient 6nm process, significantly outperforms the vivo Y72 5G’s Snapdragon 480 (8nm). The Dimensity 900’s CPU configuration – 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 – provides a substantial uplift in single-core and multi-core performance compared to the Snapdragon 480’s 2x2.0 GHz Kryo 460 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 460. This translates to snappier app launches, smoother multitasking, and a more enjoyable gaming experience. The Dimensity 900 also benefits from a more capable GPU, offering better graphics performance. The 6nm process also implies better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained loads.
Battery Life
The charging speeds are a clear differentiator. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G’s 65W SuperVOOC charging is incredibly fast, capable of charging the battery from 0-100% in around 32 minutes. The vivo Y72 5G’s 18W charging is comparatively slow, requiring significantly longer to fully replenish the battery. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Nord CE 2 mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery size, offering more convenient top-ups throughout the day.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y72 5G (India) if your primary need is a very affordable 5G connection and basic smartphone functionality, and you prioritize minimizing upfront cost above all else. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G if you prioritize smoother performance for gaming and multitasking, significantly faster charging speeds, and a more refined overall user experience, even if it means spending a bit more.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 900 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G get hot during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 900’s 6nm process is more efficient than the Snapdragon 480’s 8nm process, leading to better thermal management. While some heat is inevitable during intensive gaming, the Nord CE 2 5G is less likely to experience significant throttling compared to the Y72 5G, allowing for more sustained performance.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the vivo Y72 5G slow enough to be a major inconvenience?
Yes, 18W charging is considerably slower than the 65W charging on the Nord CE 2 5G. Expect to spend over two hours to fully charge the Y72 5G, which can be frustrating for users accustomed to faster charging speeds. This is a significant trade-off for the lower price.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 480 in the vivo Y72 5G struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
The Snapdragon 480 is an entry-level 5G chipset. While it can handle basic tasks like browsing and social media, it will likely exhibit noticeable lag and slowdowns when running multiple apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. The Nord CE 2 5G’s Dimensity 900 offers a much smoother experience in these scenarios.
