Smartphone Comparison: Oppo A54 5G vs. OnePlus Nord 4
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Oppo A54 5G | OnePlus Nord 4 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 162.9 × 74.7 × 8.4 mm | 162.6 × 75 × 8 mm | OnePlus Nord 4 is slightly thinner, may feel more modern; difference in width is negligible. |
| Weight | 190g | 199.5g | Oppo A54 5G is slightly lighter, more comfortable during extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.74" | OnePlus Nord 4 has a slightly larger screen, providing a more immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1240x2772 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a sharper display, providing better clarity and detail. |
| Pixel Density | 405 PPI | 450 PPI | OnePlus Nord 4 offers slightly sharper visuals; text and images will appear clearer. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | AMOLED | OnePlus Nord 4 has superior display technology with deeper blacks, higher contrast, and better energy efficiency, especially for dark themes. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 120Hz | OnePlus Nord 4 provides slightly smoother animations and scrolling experience. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 2200 nits | OnePlus Nord 4 provides significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in direct sunlight. Oppo A54 5G brightness is not available. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 (4 nm) | OnePlus Nord 4 has a much more powerful processor, ensuring smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and better gaming performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 216,504 | 1,366,982 | OnePlus Nord 4 offers drastically better performance (531% higher), meaning it will feel much faster and more responsive in daily tasks and demanding apps. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 732 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a more powerful GPU for better graphics performance in games and GPU-intensive tasks. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5500mAh | OnePlus Nord 4 has larger battery, which might lead to slightly longer usage between charges. |
| Charging | 18W Fast Charging, Li-Ion | 100W Fast Charging, Li-Polymer | OnePlus Nord 4 has much faster charging, reducing waiting time significantly. It also has a more advanced battery chemistry |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 48MP, f/1.7, 1/2", 0.80µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/2", 0.80µm pixel size | OnePlus Nord 4 has slightly higher resolution but smaller aperture. Both have similar sensor size and pixel size, which might result in comparable low-light performance. |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.0, 1/3.13", 1.00µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.00µm pixel size | Oppo A54 5G has a wider aperture selfie camera, which might perform better in low light. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12µm pixel size | 8MP, f/2.2, 1/2.8", 1.14µm pixel size | Both phones have comparable wide-angle cameras. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | N/A | Oppo A54 5G has a dedicated macro camera for closeup shots, which the OnePlus lacks. |
| Black & White Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75µm pixel size | N/A | Oppo A54 5G has a dedicated black & white camera for stylized shots, which the OnePlus lacks. |
| Video Recording | 1080p@30fps with EIS, slow-mo:120fps | 4K@60fps with EIS, 1080p@120fps with EIS, slow-mo:240fps | OnePlus Nord 4 offers higher video recording resolution and frame rates, resulting in better quality videos. It also provides superior stabilisation. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 14 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a more recent Android version, with improved features, security, and longer-term support. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6 | OnePlus Nord 4 offers faster speeds, lower latency, and better performance in crowded networks with Wi-Fi 6 support. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.1 | Bluetooth 5.4 | OnePlus Nord 4 has a newer Bluetooth version with better energy efficiency and stability. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a), BeiDou (B2), QZSS (L1 + L5) | OnePlus Nord 4 offers better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Dual SIM Dual Standby | Both phones have the same SIM capabilities. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128/256 GB | 128/256/512 GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has more base storage (128GB) and a higher maximum (512GB) compared to Oppo A54 5G's (64GB base and 256GB max). |
| RAM | 4/8 GB | 8/12/16 GB | OnePlus Nord 4 has more RAM, meaning smoother multitasking and better performance when running multiple apps. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | OnePlus Nord 4 offers a more immersive audio experience with stereo speakers and better voice capture with two microphones. |
| Security | |||
| Features | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | Oppo A54 5G has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which could be more convenient for some users. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Unknown | Both phones use similar screen protection technology which is not disclosed in the provided specifications. |
| Sensors | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | Oppo A54 5G includes a compass sensor, whereas OnePlus Nord 4 includes Geomagnetic sensor, offering slightly different motion-tracking capabilities. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Oppo A54 5G Advantages:
- Lighter Weight: Slightly lighter (190g vs 199.5g) which may make it more comfortable to hold for long durations.
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: The f/2.0 aperture selfie camera could perform better in low-light conditions.
- Dedicated Macro and B&W Lens: Offers additional camera features that are not found on the OnePlus.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: A convenient sensor for unlocking the device.
- Compass: Provides a basic feature for direction finding.
- Lower price point: Usually cheaper.
OnePlus Nord 4 Advantages:
- Significantly Superior Performance: Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset provides a much faster and smoother experience compared to the Snapdragon 480 in the Oppo A54 5G.
- Better Display: AMOLED panel with higher resolution, better color accuracy, higher refresh rate (120Hz), and vastly higher brightness.
- Larger Battery & Faster Charging: Larger battery capacity and much faster 100W charging.
- Superior Main Camera Sensor: A newer and likely superior sensor for main camera photography.
- Higher Video Recording Quality: Supports 4K recording at 60fps compared to 1080p on the Oppo A54 5G, along with much better stabilization.
- More RAM and Storage Options: Higher RAM options, and 512 GB storage configuration available.
- Stereo Speakers: Provides better audio quality and immersion.
- Newer Android Version: Ships with Android 14, offering enhanced features and better long-term software support.
- More accurate GPS: With support for more satellite systems, provides more precise location tracking.
- Superior connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 and newer Bluetooth version.
- OIS: Optical image stabilization for more stable videos and photos.
Trade-offs:
- Oppo A54 5G: The user trades significantly lower performance, display quality, and charging speed for a slightly lighter phone, dedicated macro and B&W lens and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
- OnePlus Nord 4: The user trades a slightly heavier phone and loses a dedicated macro and B&W camera while paying for a significant upgrade in performance, display, battery and other features.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Oppo A54 5G Ideal User:
- Budget-conscious users: Prioritizes affordability over top-tier performance and features.
- Users with basic needs: Primarily uses phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- Users who prefer lighter phones: Dislike bulky or heavy phones.
- Users who appreciate macro and B&W photography: For those who want to have a camera with more camera capabilities and are not so focused on quality.
Use Cases:
- Daily communication and social media.
- Light media consumption like basic video and browsing.
- Users who prefer a lighter phone and convenient side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
OnePlus Nord 4 Ideal User:
- Performance-oriented users: Values smooth, fast performance, and can handle heavy tasks like gaming, video editing, and heavy multitasking.
- Users who prioritize display quality: Values the benefits of an AMOLED display for media consumption.
- Users who appreciate high quality photography and videography: Users wanting higher resolution and quality in photo and video.
- Users who want the latest software and features: Desires the most up-to-date Android experience.
- Users who prefer better audio: Users who appreciate a better audio experience with stereo speakers.
Use Cases:
- Gaming and resource-intensive apps.
- High-quality video recording and consumption.
- Frequent users of maps and location-based services.
- Users wanting a flagship feel and performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is performance? Do you require smooth performance for gaming and heavy tasks, or do you mainly use your phone for light tasks?
- How much do you value display quality? Do you want the vibrant colors and deep blacks of an AMOLED display, or is an IPS LCD adequate?
- What is your budget? How much are you willing to pay for increased performance and features?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget is the main constraint
- Recommendation: Oppo A54 5G. Offers basic functionality at a lower cost.
- Scenario 2: Smooth performance and best user experience is priority
- Recommendation: OnePlus Nord 4. A much more powerful device, providing better performance, a more vibrant display, and faster charging.
- Scenario 3: User seeks a better camera experience while maintaining a lower budget
- Recommendation: Oppo A54 5G for the dedicated Macro and B&W cameras, however the OnePlus offers a better overall camera.
My Choice and Why
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the OnePlus Nord 4. While the Oppo A54 5G might appeal to budget-conscious users, the OnePlus Nord 4 provides a significantly superior user experience across the board. The drastically better performance with the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, combined with the vibrant AMOLED display, faster charging, and higher quality video recording make it worth the higher price. The user experience will be significantly smoother and more enjoyable. While the Oppo A54 5G has dedicated macro and B&W lenses, the overall camera experience is superior on the OnePlus, especially for video. For me, the performance, display quality and battery is something I cannot forgo for a macro lens and a slightly lighter device. The OnePlus Nord 4 is a more future-proof option that will remain relevant for a longer period, making it the better long-term investment.
