OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs vivo Y73s: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Power

The mid-range 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G, with its flagship-adjacent Dimensity 1200 chipset, aims for performance dominance. Conversely, the vivo Y73s offers a more budget-conscious entry point, relying on the Mediatek Dimensity 720. This comparison dissects the key differences to determine which device delivers the best value for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the superior choice. Its significantly faster Dimensity 1200 processor and blazing-fast 65W charging justify the price premium. However, the vivo Y73s remains a viable option for those prioritizing affordability and moderate performance.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y73s OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 19, 26, 28, 34, 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, 3, 28, 41, 77, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA-
Launch
Announced2020, October 12. Released 2020, October 162021, July 22
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2021, July 28
Body
Build-Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions161 x 74 x 7.8 mm (6.34 x 2.91 x 0.31 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
Weight171.3 g (6.03 oz)189 g (6.67 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, HDR10Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 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 720 (7 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC3Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 10, Funtouch 10.5Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.1-
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens50 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, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type4100 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, SilverGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsV2031ADN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 280 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 Y73s

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Acceptable battery life

  • Slower processor compared to Nord 2
  • Significantly slower charging speed
  • Likely inferior camera performance

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Significantly faster processor (Dimensity 1200)
  • Blazing-fast 65W charging
  • Brighter display for outdoor visibility

  • Higher price tag
  • May be overkill for basic users
  • Potential for slightly higher power consumption

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a brighter display, reaching a measured 633 nits, compared to an unspecified brightness for the vivo Y73s. While both likely utilize IPS LCD panels (given the price points), the Nord 2’s higher peak brightness translates to better visibility outdoors. The Nord 2’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a standard IPS panel, while the Y73s’ display specifications are absent, making a direct comparison difficult. Bezels are likely comparable, focusing on maximizing screen real estate within their respective price brackets.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but details are limited. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G likely features a more sophisticated camera system, benefiting from the Dimensity 1200’s enhanced image signal processor (ISP). Sensor size and aperture details are unavailable for either device, making a direct comparison challenging. The Y73s’ camera is likely geared towards casual photography, while the Nord 2 aims for a more versatile experience. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution macro/depth sensors on both, the primary sensor quality and image processing algorithms will be the key differentiators.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the vivo Y73s’ Dimensity 720 (7nm). The Dimensity 1200 features a more powerful CPU configuration – a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core alongside 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, versus the Y73s’ 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 setup. This translates to significantly faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and superior gaming performance. The 6nm process node of the Dimensity 1200 also offers improved power efficiency, potentially mitigating thermal throttling during extended use. While RAM specifications are missing for both, the Nord 2 likely benefits from faster LPDDR5 RAM, further enhancing performance.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting comparable battery life under similar usage scenarios. However, the charging speeds are drastically different. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W wired charging, with PD support, can fully charge the battery in just 30 minutes. The vivo Y73s’ 18W charging is significantly slower, requiring considerably more time to reach 100%. This difference in charging speed is a major convenience factor, especially for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y73s if you need a functional 5G smartphone for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming, and your budget is strictly limited. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you prioritize smooth multitasking, demanding mobile games, faster charging speeds, and a more refined overall experience, and are willing to spend more.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Dimensity 720 in the vivo Y73s sufficient for playing PUBG Mobile?
The Dimensity 720 can run PUBG Mobile, but expect to use medium graphics settings for a smooth experience. The Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G will provide a significantly smoother experience at higher graphics settings and frame rates.
❓ How much faster is the 65W charging on the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compared to the 18W charging on the vivo Y73s in real-world use?
The Nord 2 5G can charge from 0-100% in approximately 30 minutes. The Y73s will likely take over 2 hours to achieve the same, making the Nord 2 5G a much more convenient option for users who need a quick charge.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2 5G experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
While the Dimensity 1200 is a powerful chip, OnePlus has implemented thermal management solutions to mitigate throttling. However, prolonged gaming at maximum settings may still result in some performance reduction. The Dimensity 720 in the Y73s is less prone to throttling due to its lower power draw.