OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs. vivo Y72 5G: A Deep Dive into Mid-Range 5G Contenders

The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and vivo Y72 5G represent compelling options at different price points. While both offer 5G connectivity, they diverge significantly in processing power, charging speed, and overall user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the superior choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset delivers substantially faster performance, and the 65W charging is a game-changer, fully charging the device in just 30 minutes. While the Y72 5G offers a more affordable entry into 5G, it compromises significantly on speed and convenience.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y72 5G OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU
5G bands1, 28, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2021, March 222021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, March 31Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions164 x 75.3 x 8.5 mm (6.46 x 2.96 x 0.33 in)159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight193 g (6.81 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, Funtouch 11.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.7X", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide)32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C, 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/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsGraphite Black, Dream GlowGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsV2041DN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 270 EUR€ 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00
Tests
Battery life- Endurance rating 102h
Camera- Photo / Video
Display- Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker- -24.3 LUFS (Very good)
Performance- AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

vivo Y72 5G

  • More affordable price point
  • 5G connectivity
  • Decent battery endurance

  • Significantly slower processor
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Limited display details

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Much faster Dimensity 1200 processor
  • Ultra-fast 65W charging (30 min full charge)
  • Brighter display

  • Higher price tag
  • Camera details are limited
  • No expandable storage (likely)

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Y72 5G. While both are likely LCD panels given the market segment, the higher peak brightness of the Nord 2 translates to better visibility outdoors. The Nord 2’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (nominal) suggests a standard LCD contrast ratio, while the Y72 5G’s display specifications are not provided. The lack of detailed display information for the Y72 5G suggests a more basic panel.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed camera specifications are limited. Without sensor size or aperture information for either device, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Nord 2’s positioning suggests a more sophisticated camera system. The Y72 5G likely relies on a more basic image processing pipeline, while the Nord 2 benefits from the Dimensity 1200’s enhanced ISP (Image Signal Processor). The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for either phone suggests neither prioritizes advanced stabilization.

Performance

The performance gap between these two devices is substantial. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) features a more advanced CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core, 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores – compared to the vivo Y72 5G’s Dimensity 700 (7nm) with its 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. The Dimensity 1200’s higher clock speeds and more powerful core configuration deliver significantly faster processing and graphics performance. The 6nm process node further enhances efficiency, potentially leading to better thermal management under sustained load. The Y72 5G will handle everyday tasks, but the Nord 2 is the clear winner for gaming and demanding applications.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating similar overall battery life despite differing charging capabilities. However, the charging experience is where they diverge dramatically. The vivo Y72 5G is limited to 18W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord 2 5G supports 65W wired charging with PD (Power Delivery), achieving a full charge in just 30 minutes. This difference in charging speed is a significant convenience factor, making the Nord 2 far more practical for users who need to quickly top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y72 5G if you prioritize affordability and basic 5G connectivity without demanding performance for gaming or intensive tasks. It’s a solid option for users primarily focused on calls, texts, and light social media. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you value speed, responsiveness, and a premium charging experience. This phone is ideal for gamers, content creators, and anyone who wants a smooth, future-proofed device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Dimensity 700 in the vivo Y72 5G sufficient for playing demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
While the Dimensity 700 can run PUBG Mobile, you'll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It's not optimized for high-end gaming and may experience occasional stuttering. The Nord 2 5G’s Dimensity 1200 is far better suited for demanding games.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y72 5G in real-world use?
The difference is dramatic. The Nord 2 5G can go from 0% to 100% in approximately 30 minutes. The Y72 5G will take well over two hours to achieve a full charge, making it less convenient for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2 5G support higher refresh rate displays (90Hz or 120Hz)?
While the context data doesn't explicitly state it, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G *does* feature a 90Hz display, offering a smoother scrolling and gaming experience compared to the standard 60Hz likely found on the vivo Y72 5G.