OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Which one should you pick?

OnePlus is back to stir up the mid-range battlefield with two new phones – the OnePlus Nord 5 and its leaner, meaner sibling, the OnePlus Nord CE5. Both slide right into the sweet spot of India’s Rs 20,000 – Rs 40,000 smartphone market; a space that’s hotter than ever in 2025, where innovation isn’t just expected, it’s demanded.

While the Nord 5 flexes a flagship-grade Snapdragon chip, a sleek display, and some genuinely smart AI features, the Nord CE5 punches well above its price tag with a monster battery, zippy MediaTek processor, and a surprisingly polished design. But which one’s your perfect match? Let’s break it down.

OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Build and display

The Nord 5 is the minimalist’s dream. It has clean lines, a slim 8.1mm frame, and a finish that whispers sophistication. The Marble Sands colourway is especially striking, catching light just enough to turn heads without shouting. Gorilla Glass 7i up front keeps scratches at bay, and the IP65 rating means it won’t panic at a splash of rain.

The Nord CE5, meanwhile, leans towards the playful side. The Nexus Blue variant injects some fun into the Nord family, while Black Infinity and Marble Mist strike a balance between edgy and elegant. It’s a hair lighter too, making it just that bit more comfortable in the hand, and yes, it also rocks an IP65 rating.

ALSO READ: OnePlus Nord 5 launched; it’s the mid-range champ you didn’t know you needed

Display-wise, the Nord 5 pulls ahead. A 6.83-inch AMOLED with a 144Hz refresh rate, 1.5K resolution, and HDR10+ support makes this a binge-watcher’s paradise. The 3,840Hz PWM dimming ensures strain-free night scrolling. The Nord CE5 isn’t far behind with a 6.77-inch AMOLED, 120Hz refresh, and HDR10+; but the difference becomes clear if you’re chasing cinematic vibes on the go.

Bottom line: The Nord 5 wins the spec battle and is made for screen obsessives, but both displays are smooth enough to satisfy everyday users.

OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Performance and UI

This is where things get spicy. Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord 5 comes with a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 – a proper flagship-level chip that’s practically built for gamers, multitaskers, and anyone who lives on the fast lane. The Nord CE5 brings its A-game with the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex, a highly capable chip with a prime core that clocks in north of 3GHz.

Both phones get up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM, but Nord 5’s storage maxes out at a roomy 512GB UFS 3.1, while the CE5 caps at 256GB.

ALSO READ: OnePlus Nord CE 5 features the biggest battery in any OnePlus phone yet

Where the Nord 5 pulls ahead is in its dedicated Plus Key – a customisable button that unlocks OnePlus’ AI Plus Mind, your personal brain-in-a-box that remembers, summarises, and sorts your digital life like an assistant who actually listens. Both phones feature OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, bundled with smart features like AI Writer, Unblur, Eraser, and Gemini baked in.

And the cherry on top? Four years of OS updates, six years of security patches. That’s future-proofing done right.

Bottom line: If you want all the AI bells and whistles and room to grow, Nord 5 is the no-brainer, but Nord CE5 holds its own in real-world speed and smarts.

OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Cameras

Photography is another area where the Nord 5 swings big. You get a 50MP Sony LYT-700 primary, a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 selfie shooter, and an 8MP ultrawide. This is a setup that’s flexible, detailed, and surprisingly good in varied lighting. Front and rear, it’s got 4K at 60fps, which is a win for content creators and selfie pros alike.

The Nord CE5 isn’t shabby either. It sports a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary and 8MP ultrawide cover the basics well. The 16MP front camera does a fine job for social media snaps, but it misses out on 4K video up front.

Bottom line: Nord 5 is for camera-conscious users who care about clarity, video quality, and versatility. CE5 keeps it simple but effective.

OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Battery life

Welcome to the big leagues. Literally. The OnePlus Nord 5 comes with a massive 6,800mAh battery, but the Nord CE5 takes it a step further with a jaw-dropping 7,100mAh cell. You can scroll, game, doomscroll, scroll some more; and still have juice left for the next day.

Both support 80W fast charging, with added support for 33W PPS and 18W PD on the Nord 5. That means even your MacBook charger will top it up at a decent speed. And yes, both have bypass charging, which is a gamer’s dream for keeping cool under pressure.

Bottom line: CE5 is the battery champ, hands down. But either phone will comfortably outlast your daily grind.

OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Price

The OnePlus Nord 5 starts at Rs 29,999 while the OnePlus Nord CE5 will set you back by Rs 22,999. Both deliver serious value. But what’s exciting here is how complete both phones feel. They’re not half-baked experiments or budget compromises. Whether you’re going for power or price, you’re getting a thoughtfully crafted device that delivers.

ALSO READ: OnePlus Nord 5 review

Both phones are available now via OnePlus’ website, major e-commerce platforms, and Croma stores near you.

OnePlus Nord 5 vs OnePlus Nord CE5: Which one is right for you?

The OnePlus Nord 5 is for power-users who don’t want to bleed their wallets dry, while still getting top-level performance and endurance. It is also for those who want to try cutting-edge AI features, and camera enthusiasts.

The OnePlus Nord CE5 is for those who value battery life and performance above all, and are okay with sacrificing some camera prowess for a value price tag.

Which one is your pick? Let us know in the comments section, and stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma for all things tech.