OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date June 11, 2021 September 24, 2021
Release Year 2021 2021

Physical

Volume 92.44 cm³ 96.7 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.78 "/g 2.79 "/g
Weight 170 g 240 g
Height 159.2 mm 160.8 mm
Width 73.5 mm 78.1 mm
Thickness 7.9 mm 7.7 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Blue Void
  • Charkoal Ink
  • Silver Ray
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Graphite
  • Sierra Blue
  • Alpine Green

Display

Screen Size 6.43 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1284 x 2778
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.3 % 87.8 %
Pixel Density 410 PPI 458 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz 120 Hz
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 1200 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.84 mAh/in² 96.95 mAh/in²
Battery Density 48.68 mAh/cm³ 45.01 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 4352 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Hexa-core (2x3.23 GHz Avalanche + 4x1.82 GHz Blizzard)
GPU Adreno 619 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG Lightning 2.0

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 11 15
Maximum OS Version 13 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specification Breakdown

FeatureOnePlus Nord CE 5GApple iPhone 13 Pro MaxReal-World Implications
Design & Build159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9mm, 170g160.8 x 78.1 x 7.7mm, 240giPhone is slightly larger and significantly heavier, making it less comfortable for one-handed use. Nord CE 5G is lighter and more pocket-friendly.
Display6.43" AMOLED, 1080x2400, 90Hz, 700 nits6.7" OLED, 1284x2778, 120Hz, 1200 nitsiPhone has a larger, sharper, and brighter display with smoother scrolling (120Hz). Nord CE 5G’s 90Hz AMOLED is good but not as premium.
PerformanceSnapdragon 750G, 6/8/12GB RAMA15 Bionic, 6GB RAMiPhone is significantly faster (3.5x higher benchmark score), better for gaming and multitasking. Nord CE 5G is mid-range.
Camera (Rear)64MP main (f/1.79), 8MP ultrawide, 2MP B&W12MP main (f/1.5), 12MP ultrawide, 12MP telephotoiPhone has better low-light performance, optical zoom, and superior video recording. Nord CE 5G has higher MP count but weaker processing.
Battery & Charging4500mAh, 30W wired4373mAh, 20W wired, 15W MagSafeNord CE 5G has faster charging, but iPhone supports wireless charging and has better efficiency (A15 chip).
SoftwareAndroid 11 (up to 13)iOS 15 (up to 18)iPhone has longer software support (5+ years vs. 2-3 for Nord CE 5G).
ExtrasNo wireless charging, basic security (fingerprint)MagSafe, Face ID, better speakers, IP68 water resistanceiPhone has premium features like Face ID and water resistance. Nord CE 5G lacks these.

2. Key Insights

  • iPhone 13 Pro Max Wins In:

    • Performance (A15 Bionic is a beast)
    • Camera (better low-light, optical zoom, video)
    • Display (brighter, smoother, higher resolution)
    • Longevity (longer software updates, better resale value)
    • Premium Features (MagSafe, Face ID, IP68)
  • Nord CE 5G Wins In:

    • Price (much cheaper)
    • Battery Charging Speed (30W vs. 20W)
    • Weight & Comfort (lighter, easier to handle)

3. User Recommendations

Choose iPhone 13 Pro Max If You:

  • Want the best performance (gaming, multitasking)
  • Need a top-tier camera (especially for video)
  • Prefer long-term software support (5+ years)
  • Can afford the higher price

Choose OnePlus Nord CE 5G If You:

  • Are on a budget (much cheaper)
  • Prefer faster wired charging
  • Want a lighter phone
  • Don’t need wireless charging or premium features

4. Buying Decision Framework

3 Questions to Help You Decide:

  1. Do you care more about performance or price?
    • iPhone = performance, Nord CE 5G = budget.
  2. Do you take a lot of photos/videos?
    • iPhone is far better for photography.
  3. Do you want long-term software updates?
    • iPhone gets updates for 5+ years, Nord CE 5G for 2-3.

Scenario-Based Picks:

  • Best for Power Users & Photographers: iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • Best Budget Pick: OnePlus Nord CE 5G
  • Best for Longevity & Resale Value: iPhone 13 Pro Max

Final Verdict: Which One Would I Choose?

I’d pick the iPhone 13 Pro Max because:
Faster performance (A15 Bionic is future-proof)
Superior camera & video (better in all conditions)
Longer software support (5+ years vs. 2-3)
Premium features (MagSafe, Face ID, IP68)

The Nord CE 5G is a great budget phone, but the iPhone is a better long-term investment if you can afford it. If budget is tight, the Nord CE 5G is still a solid choice.

Winner: iPhone 13 Pro Max (for most users). 🏆

Alex Griffin
Alex Griffin

Technology analyst specializing in mobile devices and consumer electronics.

Core Expertise

  • Mobile technology analysis
  • Consumer electronics evaluation
  • Technical specification interpretation
  • User experience insights

Professional Mission Empowering readers to make informed technology decisions by transforming intricate specifications into understandable, practical guidance.

Demystifying technology, one device at a time.