By Akriti Rana and Nimish Dubey
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the latest OnePlus device to arrive in the Indian market. At its starting price of Rs 23,999, it is also the most affordable OnePlus phone that one can get in India, unless one is looking at older devices at heavily discounted prices. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G does come with some very good features, including a smart design, good display, clean UI and super fast charging, but it faces a lot of competition in the market, with almost every major brand having a device that can go up against it.
So if you are thinking of investing in a OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G (henceforth referred to as the Nord CE 2 for the sake of simplicity), we would advise you to also consider the following devices before you arrive at a decision:
iQoo Z5 5G — Something Extra At A Similar Price
The iQoo Z5, from Vivo’s sub-brand comes with exactly the same price tag as the OnePlus Nord CE 2. And it can definitely claim to be as good as, if not a better, option. It does not have an AMOLED display like the Nord CE 2, but comes with a larger 6.67 inch full HD+ display with a higher 120 Hz refresh rate. There are also stereo speakers on the iQoo Z5, something the Nord CE 2 lacks. Most importantly, the iQoo Z5 comes with a faster Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor and also a larger 5000 mAh battery. It too boasts a triple camera arrangement on the back with a 64 megapixel main sensor and a 16 megapixel selfie snapper. The Nord CE 2 has faster charging and a much cleaner interface, but the iQoo Z5 has a lot going for it as well.
Price: Rs 23,999
Samsung Galaxy M52 5G — The All Rounder
The Samsung Galaxy M52 brings some of the best features of Samsung to the sub-Rs 25,000 segment. You get a large, brilliant 6.7 inch full HD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, the power of a Qualcomm 778G processor, as well as very good cameras (64 MP main, 12 MP ultrawide, 5 MP depth and 32 MP selfie). There’s also a large 5000 mAh battery that can see out almost two days of usage, although the 15W charger in the box is not the fastest. The design might look a little plain and One UI is a bit more cluttered as compared to OxygenOS on OnePlus phones, but the Galaxy M52 remains a great option for those seeking a phone that does everything well, with no real weakness. It more than matches the Nord CE 2 in terms of display, camera and processor.
Price: Rs 24,999
Xiaomi 11i 5G — The Big Boss Of The Zone
For those seeking very impressive hardware, the Xiaomi 11i is perhaps the biggest challenger to the Nord CE 2. The phone does not have the 120W HyperCharge option of its 11i HyperCharge variant, but still has a 67W charger that can challenge the 65W SuperVOOC charger on the Nord CE 2. It also has a large 5160 mAh battery, a brilliant 6.67 inch full HD+ AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate and its 108 megapixel main camera delivers amazing detail, with powerful stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience. It also comes with very iPhone-like flat sides and back, with a classy frosted glass finish on the back as well. It is definitely on the heavy and slightly bulky side, its Dimensity 920 processor is not too far ahead of the Dimensity 900 on the Nord CE 2, and some might find its MIUI interface a little too detailed as compared to OxygenOS, but this is perhaps the most powerful alternative to the OnePlus Nord CE 2.
Price: Rs 24,999
Realme 9 Pro+ 5G — The Flashy Performer
We rather like the classy, understated design of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, but if you are looking at something a little more flashy, then the Realme 9 Pro+ could well be the phone for you. It comes with a color changing back that will definitely turn heads, and packs in specs that challenge the Nord CE 2 as well. The Realme 9 Pro+ comes with a similar 6.4 inch full HD+ AMOLED display, but packs in a slightly superior Dimensity 920 chip as compared to the Dimensity 900 on the Nord CE 2, as well as stereo speakers. The 9 Pro+ also comes with the highly acclaimed 50 megapixel Sony IMX 766 sensor on its back and a very good 16 megapixel selfie camera. A 4500 mAh battery with 60W fast charging round off the features offers this good looking, sharp shooting challenger.
Price: Rs 24,999
Xiaomi 11i Lite NE 5G — The Slim And Smart One
It might officially start at Rs 26,999 but the Xiaomi 11i Lite NE is available at below Rs 25,000 at many retail outlets. At that price, it definitely represents a headache for the Nord CE2. At a mere 6.81 mm, the 11i Lite NE is one of the slimmest smartphones in the world and is extremely sleek to look at as well. It is pretty heavy in terms of hardware, though, with a brilliant 6.55 inch 10-bit full HD+ AMOLED display with a 90 Hz refresh rate and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G processor. There is also a very good 64 megapixel camera at the back and a superb 20 megapixel selfie camera in front. Dual speakers provide good sound. That slim frame does mean there is no 3.5 mm jack (which the Nord CE 2 has) and the 4250 mAh battery with 33W charging is not really up there with the 4500 mAh battery and 65 W SuperVOOC charger of the Nord CE 2, but those wanting a sleek, stylish device with a powerful processor will get tempted by this one.
Price: Rs 26,999
Samsung Galaxy F62 — Minus 5G, Plus Performance
The absence of 5G support makes this Samsung device seem a little out of place in this list. But if 5G is not a major concern for you (it is not available in India at the time of writing and there’s no clarity on when it will arrive), then the Galaxy F62 is a great device for anyone wanting high-end performance on a tight budget. It comes with the same Exynos 9825 processor that was seen in the flagship Galaxy Note 10, has a brilliant 6.7 inch full HD+ Super AMOLED display and a huge 7000 mAh battery (although with only a 25W fast charger). A 64 megapixel camera at the back (with three other smaller ones) and a 32 megapixel selfie camera handle the photography and for the most part, do a very good job too. The interface is a little crowded and the design a little on the plain side, but if you are not too worried about 5G and have large enough hands, this big, chunky phone is one of the most formidable options available below Rs 25,000.
Price: Rs 23,999
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