The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The vivo Y75 and OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid user experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches to achieving this, primarily in their chipset choices and charging implementations. This comparison dissects those differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing long-term efficiency and a smoother software experience, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a 6nm process, offers superior power efficiency compared to the vivo Y75’s Helio G96, despite a slightly lower peak CPU clock speed. While the Y75 boasts faster 44W charging, the Nord CE 2 Lite’s overall package is more compelling.
| 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, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2022, May 21 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 21 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, glass back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 160.9 x 74.3 x 7.4 mm (6.33 x 2.93 x 0.29 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 172 g (6.07 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.1 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.05 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6781 Helio G96 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 44 MP, f/2.0, (wide), AF | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | Unspecified |
| USB | USB Type-C, 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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 44W wired, 65% in 30 min | 33W wired |
| Type | 4050 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Moonlight Shadow, Dancing Waves | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | - | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 240 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | 1.03 W/kg (head) 0.66 W/kg (body) | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
vivo Y75
- Faster 44W wired charging
- Potentially slightly higher CPU clock speeds
- Competitive price point
- Less efficient Helio G96 chipset
- Likely higher thermal throttling under sustained load
- Potentially shorter battery life
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset (6nm)
- Better sustained performance
- Qualcomm’s optimized software and ISP
- Slower 33W wired charging
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds
- May be marginally more expensive
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. While specific display specs (resolution, brightness) are missing, the focus here is on internal components. The absence of high refresh rates is expected, prioritizing battery life. Bezels are likely comparable, with neither aiming for a premium, near-bezel-less experience.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the chipsets, a direct comparison is limited. However, the Snapdragon 695’s integrated ISP (Image Signal Processor) generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the Helio G96’s. This translates to better dynamic range, noise reduction, and overall image quality, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The absence of information regarding sensor sizes makes a definitive statement impossible, but Qualcomm’s ISP gives the Nord CE 2 Lite an edge. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests they are largely marketing features and offer limited practical benefit.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is a clear advantage over the vivo Y75’s MediaTek Helio G96 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to significantly better power efficiency, meaning less heat generation and sustained performance during demanding tasks. While the Y75’s Cortex-A76 cores clock slightly higher (2.05 GHz vs 2.2 GHz on the Nord), the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, combined with the more efficient process, will likely deliver a smoother experience in real-world usage, especially in gaming. The Snapdragon also benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and ISP.
Battery Life
The vivo Y75’s 44W charging is its standout feature, promising a 65% charge in 30 minutes. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W charging is slower, but the Snapdragon 695’s superior efficiency means it will likely require less frequent charging overall. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Nord CE 2 Lite’s more efficient chipset will likely provide longer screen-on time despite potentially having a similar or slightly smaller battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y75 if you absolutely prioritize the fastest possible charging speeds and frequently top up your phone throughout the day. Its 44W charging can get you from 0-65% in just 30 minutes. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you value all-day battery life, a more efficient processor for sustained tasks, and a generally smoother user experience thanks to Qualcomm’s optimizations and OnePlus’ OxygenOS.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Helio G96 in the vivo Y75 struggle with graphically demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Helio G96 can run PUBG Mobile, but you may need to lower graphics settings to maintain a stable frame rate. The 12nm process and less efficient thermal management mean it's more prone to throttling during extended gaming sessions, leading to dropped frames. The Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G will offer a smoother, more consistent gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 44W charging on the vivo Y75 compared to the 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G in real-world use?
While 44W is faster on paper, the difference isn't massive. The Y75 can reach 65% in 30 minutes. The Nord CE 2 Lite will take longer, but the Snapdragon 695’s efficiency means you’ll likely need to charge less frequently overall. The convenience of faster top-ups is the primary benefit of the Y75’s charging.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 supports carrier aggregation, which allows it to combine multiple 5G channels for faster and more reliable 5G speeds. This is a significant advantage over some other budget 5G chipsets and can result in a noticeably better 5G experience, especially in areas with strong 5G coverage.
