OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs vivo Y74s: Which Mid-Range 5G Phone Reigns Supreme?

The mid-range 5G market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord 2 5G and vivo Y74s both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank. However, they approach this goal with different strategies. The Nord 2 5G leverages a more powerful chipset, while the Y74s focuses on a streamlined experience and competitive pricing. This comparison will dissect their key differences to determine which phone 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 provides a substantial performance uplift over the Y74s’ Dimensity 810, translating to smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a better gaming experience. While the Y74s offers respectable performance, the Nord 2’s overall package is more compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names vivo Y74s OnePlus Nord 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 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, 5, 8, 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 / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x -
Launch
Announced2021, November 222021, July 22
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, November 22Available. Released 2021, July 28
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions163.8 x 75 x 7.8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 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
Weight175 g (6.17 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 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDFluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 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 810 (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MC2Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 11, OriginOSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCNo
Internal256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2-
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-Auto HDR
Single8 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, BDS, QZSSGPS, 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
Charging44W wired, 70% in 34 min65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min
Type4100 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, AuroraGray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition
ModelsV2009ADN2101, DN2103
PriceAbout 320 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 Y74s

  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks
  • Competitive 44W fast charging

  • Significantly weaker chipset compared to the Nord 2
  • Limited display information suggests a less premium experience
  • Camera performance likely lags behind the Nord 2

OnePlus Nord 2 5G

  • Powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset
  • Faster 65W charging with PD support
  • Brighter display for better outdoor visibility

  • Higher price compared to the Y74s
  • May not offer significant camera improvements over competitors
  • Software experience can be polarizing for some users

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 633 nits, suggesting a more visible display in direct sunlight compared to the Y74s, for which display brightness data is unavailable. While both utilize LCD technology (inferred from market positioning), the Nord 2’s higher brightness and infinite contrast ratio (nominal) contribute to a more vibrant and engaging viewing experience. The lack of detailed display specs for the Y74s suggests a more cost-optimized panel.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer photo and video capabilities, but detailed sensor information is limited. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G likely benefits from a more sophisticated image signal processor (ISP) within the Dimensity 1200, enabling better noise reduction and dynamic range. Without specific sensor size or aperture data for either device, it’s difficult to make a definitive judgment, but OnePlus generally prioritizes camera performance in its mid-range offerings. The Y74s likely employs a more budget-focused camera system.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) features a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 core, complemented by 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 cores, and 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This configuration significantly outperforms the vivo Y74s’ Dimensity 810 (6nm) with its 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Dimensity 1200’s higher clock speeds and more powerful core architecture translate to approximately 30-40% faster CPU performance in benchmarks, and a substantial improvement in GPU capabilities. This benefits gamers and users running resource-intensive applications.

Battery Life

Both devices achieve an endurance rating of 102 hours, suggesting similar real-world battery life despite potential differences in battery capacity (not specified for the Y74s). However, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G’s 65W wired charging with PD support offers a significant advantage, achieving a full charge in just 30 minutes. The Y74s’ 44W charging, while respectable, takes 34 minutes to reach 70%, implying a longer total charge time. This faster charging speed on the Nord 2 5G is a crucial convenience factor for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the vivo Y74s if you prioritize affordability and a decent, everyday smartphone experience. It’s a solid option for users who primarily browse the web, use social media, and make occasional calls. Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you demand more from your phone – faster performance for gaming and demanding apps, quicker charging, and a potentially more refined software experience. It’s ideal for power users and those who want a phone that will remain responsive for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Dimensity 810 in the vivo Y74s sufficient for playing demanding games like Genshin Impact?
While the Dimensity 810 can run Genshin Impact, you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to medium or low to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. The Dimensity 1200 in the Nord 2 5G offers a significantly better gaming experience with higher settings and more stable performance.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord 2 5G support 90Hz or 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling?
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G supports a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a noticeably smoother scrolling experience compared to the standard 60Hz found on many phones in this price range. This makes everyday tasks like browsing the web and navigating the UI feel more fluid and responsive.
❓ How does the charging speed of the OnePlus Nord 2 5G compare to other phones in its price range?
The 65W SuperVOOC charging on the Nord 2 5G is exceptionally fast for its price bracket. Most competitors offer 33W or 44W charging, meaning the Nord 2 5G can fully charge much quicker, minimizing downtime.