OnePlus and Apple offer two affordable smartphones in the Nord and iPhone SE. With great specs and cameras, we compare the two to see which is worth your money.
A few years ago, buying a midrange smartphone meant that you were settling for underwhelming specs and performance. Today, the price tier has become a goldmine of exceptional offerings, thanks to companies like OnePlus. Its latest release — the OnePlus Nord — looks to elevate the competition with speed, a quad-camera setup, and 5G connectivity.
However, OnePlus isn’t the only brand hoping to stake its claim in the midrange territory. Apple’s 2020 revamp of the iPhone SE is a no-brainer for those wanting to experience iOS without paying the “Apple tax.” Which device should you buy? We break down the differences and similarities of the two so you can make the perfect choice.
Though released in the same year, the OnePlus Nord looks and feels more like a 2020 smartphone than the iPhone SE. It features a 6.44-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 2,400 x 1,080 pixel resolution for vibrant and sharp visuals. The Nord is a colossus compared to the iPhone SE, but many will find its size more enjoyable, especially for multimedia. Durability takes a hit with the use of a plastic frame instead of metal, though it doesn’t feel cheap and can easily be mistaken as stainless steel. The lack of water- and dust-resistance also raises some questions about how the Nord will hold up in the long run.
If you’ve used the iPhone 6,7, or 8, then you might find the 2020 iPhone SE very familiar. The handheld is more than just a throwback to when iPhones had home buttons and pocketable figures — it showcases Apple’s latest software and camera technology. It’s smaller than the average Joe, with a 4.7-inch IPS display, but it’s manageable thanks to the large chin and bezels surrounding it. The phone won’t stretch your fingers the way the Nord does, but may also be uncomfortable to handle for those with larger hands.
We’re giving OnePlus Nord the win this round as it offers a premium build that eclipses the outdated design of the iPhone SE.
Winner: OnePlus Nord
You won’t be disappointed with the performance of these budget-friendly devices — just don’t set your expectations too high. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G chip in the OnePlus Nord can power through most day-to-day apps, but you’ll encounter some stutters and drop frame rates when playing graphic-intensive games.
