ZTE Blade A72 5G vs OnePlus Nord 2T: A Detailed Showdown

The smartphone market is brimming with options, making it tough to choose. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the budget-friendly ZTE Blade A72 5G and the popular OnePlus Nord 2T. Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to see which phone reigns supreme.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 2T emerges as the clear winner, offering a significantly faster chipset, superior charging speeds, and a brighter display. While the ZTE Blade A72 5G provides 5G connectivity at a lower price point, the Nord 2T's overall performance and features justify its slightly higher cost.

PHONES
Phone Names	ZTE Blade A72 5G	OnePlus Nord 2T

Network
2G bands	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100	HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands	LTE	1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands	SA/NSA	1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
Speed	HSPA, LTE, 5G	HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
Technology	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G

Launch
Announced	2022, June 10	2022, May 19
Status	Available. Released 2022, June 10	Available. Released 2022, May 21

Body
Build	-	Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions	164 x 75.5 x 9.2 mm (6.46 x 2.97 x 0.36 in)	159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM	Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight	211 g (7.44 oz)	190 g (6.70 oz)

Display
Protection	-	Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution	720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)	1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size	6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~82.9% screen-to-body ratio)	6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	IPS LCD, 90Hz	AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+

Platform
CPU	Octa-core (2x2.2 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)
Chipset	Mediatek Dimensity 700 (7 nm)	Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G57 MC2	Mali-G77 MC9
OS	Android 11	Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14

Memory
Card slot	microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)	No
Internal	64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
	-	UFS 3.1

Main Camera
Features	LED flash, HDR	Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single	5 MP	32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple	13 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens	50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video	1080p@30fps	4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS

Selfie camera
Features	-	Auto HDR
Single	5 MP	32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video	720p@30fps	1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS

Sound
3.5mm jack	Yes	No
35mm jack	Yes	No
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes, with stereo speakers

Comms
Bluetooth	Yes	5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFC	Yes	Yes
Positioning	GPS, GLONASS	GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
Radio	Unspecified	No
USB	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG	USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLAN	Yes	Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct

Features
Sensors	Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity	Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass

Battery
Charging	-	80W wired, PD
Type	Li-Ion 4000 mAh	Li-Po 4500 mAh

Misc
Colors	Blue, Gray	Gray Shadow, Jade Fog
Models	7540N	CPH2399, CPH2401
Price	About 160 EUR	€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490

Tests
Battery life	-	Endurance rating 100h
Camera	-	Photo / Video
Display	-	Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker	-	-25.6 LUFS (Very good)
Performance	-	AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) \| 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

ZTE Blade A72 5G

Affordable price
5G connectivity
Decent battery life

Less powerful chipset
Dim display
Slower charging

OnePlus Nord 2T

Powerful chipset (Dimensity 1300)
Fast charging (80W)
Bright and vibrant display
Good camera performance

Higher price than ZTE Blade A72 5G
Design may not appeal to everyone

Display Comparison

The OnePlus Nord 2T boasts a significantly brighter display with a measured peak brightness of 636 nits, offering better visibility in sunlight. While the ZTE Blade A72 5G's display is adequate, it lacks the Nord 2T's vibrancy and outdoor usability. The Nord 2T's contrast ratio is also superior, though technically 'infinite' is a nominal value.

Camera Comparison

While both phones offer capable cameras, the OnePlus Nord 2T generally produces better image quality, especially in challenging lighting conditions. The Nord 2T's image processing algorithms are more refined, resulting in more detailed and vibrant photos. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) would require further research to provide a definitive comparison.

Performance

Here, the OnePlus Nord 2T takes a commanding lead. Its Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset is considerably more powerful than the ZTE Blade A72 5G's Dimensity 700. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nord 2T. The Nord 2T's CPU architecture, with its Cortex-A78 cores, is also more efficient for demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones achieve an impressive endurance rating of 100 hours. However, the OnePlus Nord 2T's 80W wired charging is a game-changer, allowing for incredibly fast charging times compared to the ZTE Blade A72 5G's slower charging capabilities.

Buying Guide

The ZTE Blade A72 5G is ideal for users on a tight budget who prioritize 5G connectivity and basic smartphone functionality. The OnePlus Nord 2T is perfect for those seeking a well-rounded experience with strong performance, fast charging, and a capable camera, willing to spend a bit more.