Looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that doesn't completely compromise on features? The Vodafone Smart N9 Lite and the OnePlus Nord N20 5G are both contenders, offering affordability and a range of capabilities. But which one comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is the clear winner. Its superior chipset, 5G connectivity, brighter display, and faster charging significantly outperform the Vodafone Smart N9 Lite, despite both targeting the budget market. The Nord N20 5G offers a more modern and capable experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 |
| 5G bands | - | 2, 25, 41, 66, 71 SA/NSA |
| EDGE | Yes | - |
| GPRS | Yes | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat15 800/200 Mbps, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2018, June. Released 2018, June | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Discontinued | Available. Released 2022, April 28 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Schott Xensation Up), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 148.2 x 68.9 x 9.4 mm (5.83 x 2.71 x 0.37 in) | 159.9 x 73.2 x 7.5 mm (6.30 x 2.88 x 0.30 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 155 g (5.47 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Schott Xensation Up |
| Resolution | 480 x 960 pixels, 18:9 ratio (~201 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) |
| Size | 5.34 inches, 73.6 cm2 (~72.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739WA (28 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-T720MP2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDHC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 16GB 1GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, AF | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Triple | - | 64 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide) |
| Video | - | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.0, A2DP | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS | GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyro (market dependent), proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Ion 2460 mAh battery | Li-Po 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White Pearl, Black Ice | Blue |
| Models | VFD 620 | GN2200, CPH2459 |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.90 W/kg (head) 1.69 W/kg (body) | - |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 129h
|
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 316974 (v8), 380672 (v9)
GeekBench: 1945 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Vodafone Smart N9 lite
- Very affordable
- Decent basic functionality
- Likely good battery life (129h endurance rating)
- Outdated chipset
- No 5G connectivity
- Lower display brightness
- Slower charging
- Limited camera capabilities
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
- Powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
- 5G connectivity
- Bright and vibrant display
- Fast 33W charging
- Good camera performance
- Excellent battery life (129h endurance rating)
- May lack premium features
- Price slightly higher than N9 Lite
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord N20 5G boasts a significantly brighter display at 647 nits (measured) compared to the N9 Lite's likely lower brightness. The Nord N20 5G also claims an 'infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting excellent image quality. While the N9 Lite likely has a decent display for its price point, it can't compete with the Nord N20 5G's superior specs.
Camera Comparison
While specific camera specs are limited for the Vodafone N9 Lite, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G generally offers a more capable camera system. Expect better image quality, dynamic range, and low-light performance. The Nord N20 5G likely includes features like Night Mode and portrait enhancements that the N9 Lite may lack.
Performance
Here's where the Nord N20 5G truly shines. Its Octa-core Kryo 660 chipset, built on a 6nm process, is vastly more powerful than the Vodafone N9 Lite's Quad-core Cortex-A53 on a 28nm process. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance on the Nord N20 5G. The Snapdragon 695 5G also enables 5G connectivity, a feature absent in the N9 Lite.
Battery Life
Both phones boast an impressive endurance rating of 129h, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G's 33W wired charging provides a significant advantage, allowing for faster top-ups compared to the N9 Lite's likely slower charging speeds.
Buying Guide
The Vodafone Smart N9 Lite is best suited for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and don't need 5G. The OnePlus Nord N20 5G is ideal for those seeking a more future-proof device with better performance, a vibrant display, and 5G connectivity, all while remaining budget-conscious.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Vodafone Smart N9 Lite worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and don't need 5G or high performance. Otherwise, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G offers significantly better value.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord N20 5G support 5G?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G supports 5G connectivity, providing faster download and upload speeds where available.
