OnePlus Nord CE vs. OnePlus Nord – What’s the difference?
June 18, 2021
When OnePlus burst onto the scene in 2014, they had one clear mission: never settle.
And settle they haven’t. Every year since, OnePlus has released high-quality yet affordable phones to a growing, loyal fanbase.
Now, the OnePlus Nord CE has arrived. But how does it compare to the OnePlus Nord, and which is right for you?
Display
The displays are remarkably similar between the Nord CE and the Nord.
Both have a resolution of 1080 x 2400, a 20:9 aspect ratio, and can display 16 million colours. Both displays are AMOLED, and both have a 90Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth animations.
The only real differences between these screens are size and HDR rating. The OnePlus Nord CE’s display is 6.63in in size and isn’t rated for HDR. The OnePlus Nord’s is a hair larger at 6.64in and is HDR10+ certified.
Performance
It’s a similar story when it comes to performance.
Both the Nord CE and the Nord run Android 11 and boast octa-core processors. However, the Nord takes the lead when it comes to GPU and chipset. It has an Adreno 620 GPU and a Snapdragon 765 chip compared the CE’s Adreno 619 and Snapdragon 750.
Despite these numbers, OnePlus claim that the Nord CE is 20% more powerful than the Nord. Proof that numbers aren’t always everything.
Memory
It’s starting to feel like Groundhog Day. But again, both the Nord and the Nord CE have similar memory options – identical in fact.
Both phones come with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage – plenty of space for apps, snaps, and documents.
Cameras
This is where the comparison starts to get interesting.
The OnePlus Nord CE has 3 rear cameras:
- A 64MP wide angle lens
- An 8MP ultra-wide lens
- A 2MP depth sensor
On the front, it has a 16MP selfie cam that can record 1080p video at 60FPS.
The OnePlus Nord, on the other hand, has 4 rear cameras:
- A 48MP wide angle lens
- An 8MP ultra-wide lens
- A 5MP depth sensor
- A 2MP macro lens
It also has 2 selfie cameras capable of shooting 4K video at 60FPS.
Battery
In terms of expected battery life, the Nord CE takes the lead. It has a 4500mAh capacity compared to the Nord’s 4115mAhs.
Both phones feature OnePlus’s incredible WarpCharge, however, meaning they can charge from flat to 70% in 30 minutes.
So which to choose?
These two phones are strikingly similar. It’s hard to differentiate between them.
If you’re a keen photographer, it’s worth going for the Nord. You’ll get more cameras to play with and enjoy higher-res video recordings. Better depth detection on the selfie camera is a bonus too.
Need a phone to be good at everything and available at a great price? Pocket the change and pick up the Nord CE. It also has a headphone jack for those of us who routinely forget to charge their wireless buds.
Either way, OnePlus has proven time and again to produce fantastic phones to suit all budgets. You’re sure to be pleased whichever you choose.
Looking for a new phone? Check out all our Pay Monthly phone deals.