The sub-$200 5G smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Xiaomi Poco C75 5G and OnePlus Nord N20 SE represent compelling options, but cater to different priorities. The Poco C75 5G leverages Qualcomm’s newer, more efficient Snapdragon 4s Gen 2, while the Nord N20 SE relies on MediaTek’s Helio G35. This comparison dissects these key differences to determine which device offers the best overall value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the Xiaomi Poco C75 5G emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset, built on a 4nm process, delivers significantly better performance and efficiency than the Nord N20 SE’s 12nm Helio G35. While the Nord N20 SE boasts faster 33W charging, the Poco C75 5G’s superior processing power makes it the more capable daily driver.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - Global |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 78 SA/NSA | - |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | - | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66 - LATAM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 17 | 2022, August 05 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, December 20 | Available. Released 2022, August 08 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 171.9 x 77.8 x 8.2 mm (6.77 x 3.06 x 0.32 in) | 163.8 x 75 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 212.4 g (7.51 oz) | 187 g (6.60 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 720 x 1640 pixels (~260 ppi density) | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.88 inches, 112.4 cm2 (~84.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 450 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM4635 Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4 nm) | Mediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 611 | PowerVR GE8320 |
| OS | Android 14, up to 2 major Android upgrades, HyperOS | Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM |
| | - | eMMC 5.1 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide)
Auxiliary lens | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with dual speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio, recording | No |
| USB | USB Type-C | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 18W wired | 33W wired, 50% in 34 min, 100% in 69 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5160 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Aqua Bliss, Enchanted Green, Silver Stardust | Blue Oasis, Celestial Black |
| Models | MZB0IDJIN | CPH2469 |
| Price | ₹ 7,499 | About 190 EUR |
| SAR | 0.85 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body) | - |
Xiaomi Poco C75 5G
- More powerful Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 chipset
- More efficient 4nm fabrication process
- Potentially better image processing
- Slower 18W charging
- Display specs are unknown
OnePlus Nord N20 SE
- Faster 33W charging (50% in 34 min)
- Potentially lower price point
- Simple and straightforward user experience
- Less powerful Helio G35 chipset
- Less efficient 12nm fabrication process
- Older CPU architecture
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, common in this price bracket. However, detailed display specs (resolution, brightness, color gamut) are missing. The focus here is on internal components. The absence of high refresh rates on both suggests a focus on battery life over visual fluidity.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited. Both phones likely feature a primary camera and potentially depth/macro sensors. Without megapixel counts or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 generally offers superior image processing capabilities compared to the Helio G35, potentially resulting in better dynamic range and low-light performance on the Poco C75 5G. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on both devices suggests limited utility for serious photography.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Poco C75 5G’s Qualcomm SM4635 Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 (4nm) is a clear upgrade over the Nord N20 SE’s MediaTek MT6765G Helio G35 (12nm). The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 features a more modern CPU architecture – Cortex-A78 cores alongside A55s – compared to the Nord N20 SE’s all-A53 configuration. This translates to a noticeable performance advantage in CPU-intensive tasks. The 4nm fabrication process also means better thermal efficiency, reducing the likelihood of throttling during sustained workloads. While both are octa-core, the architectural differences and process node give the Poco C75 5G a substantial edge.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord N20 SE has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 33W wired charging, capable of reaching 50% in 34 minutes and 100% in 69 minutes. The Poco C75 5G is limited to 18W charging. However, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2’s superior efficiency may offset the slower charging speed in real-world usage. Battery capacity is not specified for either device, but the more efficient chipset in the Poco C75 5G could deliver comparable or even better battery life despite the slower charging.
Buying Guide
Buy the Xiaomi Poco C75 5G if you prioritize smooth multitasking, responsive app launches, and future-proofing with a more modern chipset. It’s ideal for users who occasionally game or use demanding applications. Buy the OnePlus Nord N20 SE if fast charging is your absolute top priority and your usage is limited to basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media browsing. The Nord N20 SE is a reasonable option for those on a very tight budget who don't need significant processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Poco C75 5G handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 is a capable chipset for casual gaming. While it won't deliver flagship-level performance, it should handle PUBG Mobile at medium settings with reasonable frame rates. The Helio G35 in the Nord N20 SE will struggle with more demanding graphics settings.
❓ Is the 18W charging on the Poco C75 5G slow compared to the Nord N20 SE’s 33W?
While 18W is slower than 33W, the Snapdragon 4s Gen 2’s efficiency means the Poco C75 5G may not require as frequent charging. The difference in charging time will be most noticeable when starting from a very low battery level.
❓ Does the Nord N20 SE’s Helio G35 chipset struggle with multitasking?
Yes, the Helio G35 is a relatively basic chipset. Running multiple apps simultaneously or switching between them frequently may result in noticeable lag and slowdowns. The Poco C75 5G’s Snapdragon 4s Gen 2 handles multitasking much more effectively.
