1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | vivo V21 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.9 x 7.3 mm | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm | Nord CE 2 is slightly thicker and has a slightly larger volume, but both are similar in hand. |
| Weight | 176g | 173g | Both are very lightweight and will feel similar when held. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.44" | 6.43" | Negligible difference in screen size, both offer similar viewing area. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2400 | Both have the same FHD+ resolution resulting in similar sharpness. |
| Pixel Density | 409 PPI | 409 PPI | Identical sharpness levels on both screens. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both have vibrant colors and deep blacks, excellent for media consumption. |
| Refresh Rate | 90Hz | 90Hz | Both offer smoother scrolling and animations compared to 60Hz displays. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 0 nits | Brightness is not specified, making a comparison impossible |
| Screen Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Nord CE 2 offers better protection against scratches and drops. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 800U (7 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Nord CE 2 has a more efficient and newer chip, resulting in better performance, app loading, and slightly better battery efficiency. |
| AnTuTu Score | 343,150 | 424,800 | Nord CE 2 performs better in benchmarks, offering a tangible performance advantage. |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC3 | Mali-G68 MC4 | Nord CE 2 has a more powerful GPU, beneficial for gaming and graphics intensive tasks. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera | 64MP, f/1.79, 0.8µm | 64MP, f/1.79, 1/2", 0.7µm | Both offer similar resolution and aperture, however Nord CE 2 has a slightly smaller pixel size and a larger sensor. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.0, 1/2.65", 0.7µm | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 1.0µm | V21 has much higher resolution, larger sensor, and wider aperture for potentially better low light selfies. Nord CE 2 has larger pixel size which may improve light capture. |
| Wide Angle | 8MP, f/2.2 | 8MP, f/2.2 | Similar performance in wide-angle shots. |
| Macro | 2MP, f/2.4 | 2MP, f/2.4 | Similar performance for close-up shots. |
| Video | 4K@30fps with OIS, 1080p@60fps OIS | 4K@30fps with EIS, 1080p@60fps EIS, 1080p@120fps EIS | V21 has OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) which results in better stabilization compared to EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization) on Nord CE 2. The Nord CE 2 does support 120fps capture at 1080p. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4000mAh | 4500mAh | Nord CE 2 has a larger battery, resulting in longer battery life between charges. |
| Charging | 33W Fast Charging | 65W Fast Charging | Nord CE 2 charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Features | Non-removable | Reverse charging, Non-removable | Nord CE 2 can charge other devices wirelessly. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11, upgradeable to 13 | Nord CE 2 will receive software updates for longer. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11ac | 802.11ax (WiFi 6) | Nord CE 2 supports the latest WiFi standard for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.2 | Nord CE 2 has a slightly newer Bluetooth version. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | Nord CE 2 has more precise location tracking with QZSS. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB | vivo V21 has a larger internal storage option. |
| RAM | 8GB | 6GB or 8GB | Both offer sufficient RAM for smooth operation. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither supports external storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Basic audio features | Noise cancellation microphone | Nord CE 2 offers clearer calls due to noise cancellation. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic fingerprint sensor | Basic fingerprint sensor | Both have standard fingerprint security. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Geomagnetic | vivo V21 features a compass, which is useful for mapping and navigation. OnePlus Nord CE 2 features a Geomagnetic sensor which also helps with direction. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
vivo V21 5G Advantages:
- Higher Resolution Front Camera: 44MP vs 16MP on the Nord CE 2, potentially better for detail-rich selfies and video calls. It also has a wider f/2.0 aperture which lets more light in.
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) in Video: Provides superior video stabilization compared to Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS), for smoother footage when moving.
- Potentially more storage: V21 comes with an option of 256 GB internal storage (not available in the Nord CE 2).
- Compass Sensor: V21 also has a compass sensor, which is useful for mapping and navigation.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G Advantages:
- More Powerful Chipset: The Dimensity 900 offers better performance in benchmarks and slightly better power efficiency than the Dimensity 800U, resulting in smoother day-to-day use and gaming.
- Faster Charging: 65W fast charging significantly reduces charging time, a notable convenience for busy users.
- Larger Battery: 4500mAh battery provides longer battery life, ideal for users who are away from power sources for extended periods.
- Reverse Charging: Can wirelessly charge other devices, which is a useful feature for users with multiple gadgets.
- Newer Software: Guaranteed software upgrades to Android 13.
- Better Connectivity: Features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 which leads to faster and more reliable connections.
- Better Screen Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 5 offers better scratch and drop protection.
- Noise cancelling microphone: The Nord CE 2 has a noise cancelling microphone which can produce clearer audio during calls.
- Geomagnetic sensor: The Nord CE 2 features a Geomagnetic sensor, which can also be useful in navigation.
Trade-offs:
- Selfie Camera: V21 users gain higher megapixel count, a larger sensor, and wider aperture. Nord CE 2 users may see better quality results in low light due to the bigger 1.0µm pixel size.
- Video Quality: V21 offers OIS for videos, but Nord CE 2 has the newer EIS, can shoot at 1080p 120fps and can charge other devices wirelessly.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
vivo V21 5G Ideal User:
- Selfie Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize high-quality front-facing photos and videos, especially in low-light conditions.
- Video Creators: Those who need smoother, stabilized video recordings.
- Multimedia Consumers: Users who watch a lot of videos, enjoy vibrant colours and need a decent display for their media consumption.
Specific Use Cases:
- Creating vlogs or social media content with a clear focus on the front camera.
- Taking lots of selfies for social media profiles.
- Recording videos where OIS stability is essential.
- Long periods of watching video content.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G Ideal User:
- Performance-Oriented Users: Users who value smooth and fast phone operation, gaming, and multitasking.
- Users Who Need Long Battery Life: Individuals who require a device that can last throughout the day without needing to be charged.
- Busy Professionals: People who need fast charging and a reliable device for daily productivity.
- Users who value audio clarity: The noise-canceling microphone on the Nord CE 2 will be beneficial to users who do a lot of calling, particularly in noisy environments.
Specific Use Cases:
- Gaming on the go and other performance-intensive tasks.
- Long days of phone usage with minimal downtime for charging.
- Traveling, where reverse charging and longer battery life are useful.
- Calling in noisy environments where audio clarity is important.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Do you take more selfies or record more videos?
- If you take a lot of selfies and front-facing videos, the V21 has a superior front camera.
- If video is key but not particularly the front facing camera, the Nord CE 2 may be prefered.
- How important is battery life and fast charging for you?
- If you need a phone that can last all day without worrying about running out of battery, the Nord CE 2 is better.
- If you need fast charging to quickly top up your battery when it's low, the Nord CE 2 is far superior.
- Do you play demanding games and value performance or prefer a balanced device with all around good performance?
- If you need the best possible performance, the Nord CE 2 is the better choice.
- If you are simply after good performance, and a well-rounded phone, the vivo V21 is a good pick.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Social Media Influencer/Content Creator: The vivo V21 5G is the better choice due to its superior front-facing camera with higher resolution, and better video stabilisation (OIS).
- Scenario 2: On-The-Go Professional: The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is recommended due to its better performance, faster charging, and longer battery life.
- Scenario 3: Casual User with a Focus on Gaming: The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G will offer better gaming performance and battery life, making it a better option for gaming.
- Scenario 4: Budget-Conscious Buyer: Both phones are similarly priced, but the user should choose the one that fits their needs best based on the criteria above.
Personal Choice
Personally, I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G.
Reasoning:
While the vivo V21 5G has a better front camera setup with OIS, I prioritize the overall performance, longer battery life, and fast charging that the Nord CE 2 5G offers. As a user who tends to multitask, play games, and use their phone throughout the day, the Dimensity 900 chipset and larger battery are more crucial for my needs. The fast charging also makes it far more practical to quickly top up the battery when needed. While I do take selfies, the 16MP front camera is adequate, and I would much rather have OIS on the main camera than the front camera for my videos. Additionally, the better connectivity options (Wi-Fi 6) and newer software updates make the Nord CE 2 a more future-proof and appealing option for long term use. The noise cancelling microphone on the OnePlus is also important for me, given that I take a lot of calls in noisy environments. While the vivo V21 5G has its merits, the Nord CE 2 5G is a more well-rounded device that suits my specific usage patterns and preferences.
