OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs. Motorola Edge 50 Ultra: A Practical Showdown
Let’s cut through the specs and see how these two phones actually compare in daily use. While the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a solid mid-ranger from 2021, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra (2024) is a flagship challenger with cutting-edge hardware. Here’s how they stack up—and who should buy which.
1. Specifications Breakdown
Design & Build
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 159.2 × 73.5 × 7.9 mm | 161.1 × 72.4 × 8.6 mm | The Edge 50 Ultra is slightly taller and thicker, but narrower. Nord CE 5G is lighter (170g vs. 197g), which may feel better in hand. |
| Screen Protection | Basic (unknown) | Gorilla Glass Victus | Motorola’s screen is far more durable against drops and scratches. |
| Water Resistance | None listed | Likely IP68 (not confirmed) | Edge 50 Ultra likely better against spills/rain. |
Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Ultra—better durability, slightly sleeker.
Display
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.43" AMOLED | 6.7" P-OLED | Edge 50 Ultra gives more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 (410 PPI) | 1220x2712 (446 PPI) | Motorola’s screen is sharper—better for reading & media. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 144Hz | Smoother scrolling, gaming, and animations on Motorola. |
| Brightness | 700 nits (peak) | 2500 nits (peak) | Motorola’s display is far more visible in sunlight. |
Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Ultra—higher refresh rate, better outdoor visibility, sharper screen.
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 750G (8nm) | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 (4nm) | Motorola is dramatically faster—modern apps, heavy gaming, future-proof. |
| RAM | 6/8/12GB | 12/16GB | More RAM means better multitasking on Motorola. |
| Storage | 128/256GB (no expandable) | 512GB/1TB (no expandable) | Motorola offers way more storage for media/apps. |
| AnTuTu Benchmark | 385,000 | 1,523,879 | Motorola is 3x faster—no contest in speed. |
Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Ultra—flagship-level performance, no compromises.
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 64MP (f/1.79, 1/2" sensor) | 50MP (f/1.6, 1/1.3" sensor) | Motorola’s larger sensor captures more light—better low-light shots. |
| Ultrawide | 8MP (f/2.25) | 50MP (f/2.0) | Huge upgrade—Motorola’s ultrawide is far sharper. |
| Telephoto | None | 64MP (2.4x optical zoom) | Motorola wins here—actual zoom capability. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP (f/2.45) | 50MP (f/1.9) | Motorola’s selfies will be much more detailed. |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps + HDR | Motorola supports higher-quality video with stabilization. |
| DxOMark Score | 84 (Good) | 146 (Excellent) | Motorola’s camera system is in another league. |
Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Ultra—better in every way (sensor size, zoom, selfies, video).
Battery & Charging
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Motorola Edge 50 Ultra | Real-World Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 4500mAh | Same capacity, but Motorola’s newer chip is more efficient. |
| Charging | 30W wired | 125W wired + 50W wireless | Motorola charges insanely fast—full battery in ~20 mins. |
| Reverse Charging | No | Yes (10W wireless) | Edge 50 Ultra can charge earbuds/other devices. |
Winner: Motorola Edge 50 Ultra—much faster charging, wireless support.
2. Key Insights
OnePlus Nord CE 5G Strengths
✅ Lighter & more compact – Easier to handle.
✅ Decent mid-range performance – Good for casual use.
✅ Lower price (if available) – Budget-friendly.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Strengths
✅ Flagship-tier performance – No slowdowns, ever.
✅ Best-in-class display – 144Hz, ultra-bright, sharp.
✅ Superior camera system – Better sensors, zoom, and video.
✅ Blazing-fast charging – 125W wired, 50W wireless.
Trade-Offs
❌ Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is heavier (197g vs. 170g).
❌ OnePlus Nord CE 5G is outdated—no future-proofing.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Who Should Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G?
- Budget-conscious users who don’t need top-tier performance.
- Light users (social media, calls, basic apps).
- Those who prefer lightweight phones.
Who Should Buy the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra?
- Power users & gamers (Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 is a beast).
- Photography enthusiasts (superior cameras).
- Anyone who wants a future-proof device (better software support).
- People who hate slow charging (125W is a game-changer).
4. Buying Decision Framework
Ask yourself:
- Do you care about camera quality? → Motorola.
- Do you play demanding games/edit videos? → Motorola.
- Is budget your top priority? → OnePlus (if discounted).
Final Verdict: Which Would I Choose?
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra—no contest.
The performance, camera, charging, and display are all massive upgrades over the Nord CE 5G. Unless you really need a lighter phone or are on a tight budget, the Edge 50 Ultra is the clear winner.
Why?
- It’s a modern flagship—smooth, fast, and packed with features.
- The 144Hz display is buttery smooth.
- 125W charging means never waiting long for a full battery.
- The cameras rival premium competitors (even beating some).
If you want a phone that won’t feel outdated in a year, the Motorola Edge 50 Ultra is the way to go. 🚀
