OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs Apple iPhone 15 Plus - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date June 11, 2021 September 22, 2023
Release Year 2021 2023

Physical

Volume 92.44 cm³ 97.64 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.78 "/g 3.33 "/g
Weight 170 g 201 g
Height 159.2 mm 160.9 mm
Width 73.5 mm 77.8 mm
Thickness 7.9 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Blue Void
  • Charkoal Ink
  • Silver Ray
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.43 " 6.7 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1290 x 2796
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 85.3 % 88 %
Pixel Density 410 PPI 460 PPI
Refresh Rate 90 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness N/A N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness N/A 2000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 108.84 mAh/in² 97.64 mAh/in²
Battery Density 48.68 mAh/cm³ 44.89 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 4500 mAh 4383 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
GPU Adreno 619 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

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

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 11 17
Maximum OS Version 13 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specification Breakdown

FeatureOnePlus Nord CE 5GApple iPhone 15 PlusReal-World Impact
Design159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm, 170g160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm, 201giPhone is slightly larger and heavier, but Nord is more compact and lighter for one-handed use.
Display6.43" AMOLED, 1080x2400, 90Hz, 700 nits6.7" OLED, 1290x2796, 60Hz, 2000 nitsiPhone has a sharper, brighter display (better for outdoor use), but Nord has a smoother 90Hz refresh rate.
PerformanceSnapdragon 750G, 385K AnTuTu, 6-12GB RAMA16 Bionic, 1.47M AnTuTu, 6GB RAMiPhone is 3.8x faster in benchmarks—better for gaming, multitasking, and future-proofing.
Camera (Rear)64MP (f/1.79), 8MP ultrawide, 2MP B&W48MP (f/1.6), 12MP ultrawideiPhone has a larger sensor, better low-light performance, and advanced video features (4K HDR, Cinematic Mode).
Battery & Charging4500mAh, 30W wired4383mAh, 20W wired, MagSafeSimilar battery life, but Nord charges faster. iPhone supports wireless charging.
SoftwareAndroid 11 (up to 13)iOS 17 (up to 18)iPhone gets 5+ years of updates; Nord is outdated (no updates beyond Android 13).
Extras3.5mm jack, dual SIMMagSafe, better speakers, eSIMiPhone has premium build, better audio, and ecosystem perks (AirDrop, FaceTime).

2. Key Insights

  • iPhone 15 Plus Wins In:

    • Performance: Blows the Nord away in speed and efficiency.
    • Display: Brighter, sharper, and better for media.
    • Cameras: More advanced hardware and software (e.g., ProRes video, Night Mode).
    • Software Support: 5+ years of updates vs. Nord’s 2 years.
  • Nord CE 5G Wins In:

    • Price: Far cheaper (likely 1/3 the cost).
    • Refresh Rate: 90Hz feels smoother than iPhone’s 60Hz.
    • Charging: 30W vs. 20W wired.

3. Who Should Buy Each?

  • iPhone 15 Plus is for:

    • Users who want long-term performance and updates.
    • Photographers/videographers needing pro camera tools.
    • Apple ecosystem users (AirPods, Mac, iPad).
  • Nord CE 5G is for:

    • Budget buyers who want a smooth 90Hz display.
    • Users who prefer Android or need a headphone jack.
    • Casual users who don’t need top-tier cameras.

4. Buying Decision Framework

  1. Q: Do you need a phone for 4+ years?

    • Yes → iPhone (better updates).
    • No → Nord (cheaper, but outdated).
  2. Q: Is camera quality a priority?

    • Yes → iPhone (better sensor, software).
    • No → Nord (decent for casual shots).
  3. Q: Do you prefer Android or iOS?

    • Android → Nord.
    • iOS → iPhone.

Final Verdict

Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if you want a long-term premium device with elite performance, cameras, and updates.
Choose the Nord CE 5G if you’re on a tight budget and prioritize high refresh rate or Android.

Why I’d Pick the iPhone: The A16 chip, 5+ years of updates, and camera system make it a far better investment—worth the higher price for most users. The Nord is outdated (2021 hardware) and lacks software support.

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

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