Released in June 2021, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G lands in our Advanced ($200-$399) smartphone segment. Among other attractive features, it sports a multi-camera setup with a 64 MP main camera. Let’s take a look at how it performed in our comprehensive array of battery tests.
Key specifications:
- Battery capacity: 4500 mAh
- 30W charger
- 6.43-inch, 1080 x 2400, 90 Hz AMOLED display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G 5G (5 nm) chipset
- Tested RAM / storage combination: 8 GB + 128 GB
About DXOMARK Battery tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone battery reviews, DXOMARK engineers perform a variety of objective tests over a week-long period both indoors and outdoors. This article highlights the most important results of our testing. (See our introductory and how we test articles for more details about our smartphone Battery protocol.)
Test summary
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
136
battery
147
Honor X7b
Best: Honor X7b (221)
132
Samsung Galaxy M51
Best: Samsung Galaxy M51 (195)
134
Samsung Galaxy M51
Best: Samsung Galaxy M51 (198)
115
Realme GT Neo 5 (240W)
Best: Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) (224)
133
Realme GT Neo 5 (240W)
Best: Realme GT Neo 5 (240W) (212)
132
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
Best: Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro (205)
160
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
Best: Apple iPhone 14 Pro (194)
Key performances
These key points are derived from the lab measurements during testing and do not figure into the overall score. The lab measurements, however, are used for the overall score.
4h51 autonomy
after 5-minute charge
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Position in Global Ranking
23
rd
2. Honor Magic6 Lite (5800 mAh)
156
7. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
150
8. Realme GT Neo 5 (240W)
147
13. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
142
23. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
136
23. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
136
33. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
134
33. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
134
33. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
134
37. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
133
37. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
133
37. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
133
44. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
132
44. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
132
52. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
130
52. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
130
54. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
129
54. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
129
54. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
129
54. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
129
70. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
125
77. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
121
79. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
120
79. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
120
91. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
117
100. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
114
100. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
114
105. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
113
109. Motorola Moto G62 5G
112
113. Motorola Moto G9 Power
111
113. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
111
118. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
109
118. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
109
121. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)
108
125. Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite 5G
107
127. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
106
131. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
103
137. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
101
138. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
100
138. Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022
100
143. Apple iPhone 13 mini
99
143. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
99
143. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
99
148. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
98
148. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
98
152. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
96
155. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
95
155. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
95
155. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
95
161. Apple iPhone 12 mini
93
161. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
93
164. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
92
165. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
90
170. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
84
172. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
82
176. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
75
Position in Advanced Ranking
8
th
1. Honor Magic6 Lite (5800 mAh)
156
4. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
150
8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
136
13. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
134
14. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
133
17. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
132
20. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
129
20. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
129
20. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
129
27. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
125
30. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
120
30. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
120
37. Motorola Moto G9 Power
111
39. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
96
Pros
- Best efficiency in its segment and among the best overall
- Very good charging experience for its price point
- Decent autonomy in Typical Usage Scenario testing
Cons
- Weak performance in mobility
- Poor performance for both gaming and calling in calibrated testing
Thanks to its truly impressive efficiency, a good charging experience, and reasonably good autonomy results, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G moves into the No. 2 position alongside the Vivo Y72 5G in our DXOMARK Battery protocol ranking.
|
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
|
Oppo A94 5G |
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
|
Battery capacity (mAh) |
4500
|
4310 |
5020
|
Charger |
30W
|
30W |
33W
|
Display type |
OLED
|
OLED |
OLED
|
Display resolution |
1080 x 2400
|
1080 x 2400 |
1080 x 2400
|
Chipset |
Snapdragon 750G 5G
|
Dimensity 800U |
Snapdragon 732G
|
Autonomy (76)
How long a battery charge lasts depends not only on battery capacity, but also other aspects of the phone’s hardware and software. The DXOMARK Battery autonomy score is composed of three performance sub-scores: (1) Stationary, (2) On the go, and (3) Calibrated use cases. Each sub-score comprises the results of a comprehensive range of tests for measuring autonomy in all kinds of real-life scenarios.
90h
Light Usage
Active: 2h30/day
64h
Moderate Usage
Active: 4h/day
40h
Intense Usage
Active: 7h/day
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieves decent autonomy results in our lab tests.
Position in Global Ranking
Battery Life (moderate)
41
st
7. Honor Magic6 Lite (5800 mAh)
77h
9. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
77h
15. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
72h
20. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
70h
23. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
69h
25. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
69h
27. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
68h
28. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
67h
29. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
67h
30. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
67h
36. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
65h
38. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
65h
40. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
64h
46. Motorola Moto G9 Power
64h
49. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
62h
50. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
62h
51. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
62h
52. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
61h
54. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
61h
55. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
60h
77. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
56h
79. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
56h
80. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
56h
82. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
55h
83. Realme GT Neo 5 (240W)
55h
93. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
54h
103. Motorola Edge 20 Pro
52h
113. Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro 5G
51h
114. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
51h
117. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
51h
123. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)
50h
125. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
49h
132. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
49h
133. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
49h
135. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
48h
137. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
48h
140. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
47h
141. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
47h
142. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
47h
143. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
47h
145. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
46h
146. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
46h
148. Nubia RedMagic 6 Pro
46h
153. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
44h
156. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
43h
158. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
43h
159. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
42h
161. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
41h
163. Apple iPhone 13 mini
41h
164. Apple iPhone 12 mini
40h
166. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
40h
167. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
39h
170. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
38h
173. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
37h
175. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
35h
Position in Advanced Ranking
Battery Life (moderate)
23
rd
3. Honor Magic6 Lite (5800 mAh)
77h
5. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
77h
10. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
72h
12. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
70h
14. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
69h
15. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
67h
16. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
67h
20. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
65h
22. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
64h
26. Motorola Moto G9 Power
64h
28. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
62h
29. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
62h
33. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
56h
40. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
47h
Stationary
Vivo Y72 5G
Best: Vivo Y72 5G (104)
A robot housed in a Faraday cage performs a set of touch-based user actions during what we call our “typical usage scenario” (TUS) — making calls, video streaming, etc. — 4 hours of active use over the course of a 16-hour period, plus 8 hours of “sleep.” The robot repeats this set of actions every day until the device runs out of power.
Our engineers measured 68 hours for the OnePlus Nord CE 5G in our TUS, which is an average result, outshining the Oppo A94 5G by 6 hours but falling behind the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro by 2.5 hours.
Typical Usage Scenario discharge curves
On the go
Samsung Galaxy M51
Best: Samsung Galaxy M51 (96)
Using a smartphone on the go takes a toll on autonomy because of extra “hidden” demands, such as the continuous signaling associated with cellphone network selection, for example. DXOMARK Battery experts take the phone outside and perform a precisely defined set of activities while following the same three-hour travel itinerary for each device.
None of the three devices fared very well in our on the go tests, with all of them putting in particularly poor performances for calling and navigation. One bright spot for the Nord CE 5G is its results when using its camera, where it does better than average.
Autonomy for on the go use cases (full charge)
Calibrated
Samsung Galaxy M51
Best: Samsung Galaxy M51 (100)
For this series of tests, the smartphone returns to the Faraday cage and our robots repeatedly perform actions linked to one specific use case (such as gaming, video streaming, etc.) at a time. Starting from an 80% charge, all devices are tested until they have expended at least 5% of their battery power.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G had mixed results in our calibrated tests, with better than average results for multimedia use cases (video streaming / playback) and audio, but underperforming in gaming and calling. Nevertheless, it obtained the highest score among the three devices in this review — 5 points more than the Oppo A94 5G (66) and 3 more the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (68).
Autonomy for calibrated use cases (full charge)
Charging (83)
The DXOMARK Battery charging score is composed of two sub-scores, Full charge and Quick boost. Full charge tests assess the reliability of the battery power gauge; measure how long it takes to charge a battery from 0% to 80% capacity and from 80% to 100%; and measure how long and how much power the battery takes to go from an indicated 100% to an actual full charge. With the phone at different charge levels (20%, 40%, 60%, 80%), Quick boost tests measure the amount of charge the battery receives after being plugged in for 5 minutes.
Power consumption and battery level during full charge
For its price point, the OnePlus Nord CE achieves impressive results for charging, on par with the Oppo A94 5G (83) and 6 points higher than the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro (77).
Full charge
Black Shark 5 Pro
Best: Black Shark 5 Pro (121)
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G and the Oppo A94 5G share a very similar charging profile (plateauing for 15 minutes at around 30W, with most of the remaining charge occurring at 25W). This similar profile also results in close charging times and scores, with the Oppo ahead of the OnePlus by a few minutes (and thus by two points) because of the former’s smaller battery capacity. The Redmi Note 10 Pro comes in below the other two devices.
Position in Global Ranking
Charging Time 0-80%
77
th
1. Realme GT Neo 5 (240W)
0h08
22. Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
0h22
29. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
0h24
30. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
0h24
53. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
0h31
57. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
0h33
63. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (Snapdragon)
0h37
64. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
0h37
66. Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (Snapdragon)
0h37
68. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
0h38
69. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
0h38
72. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
0h39
73. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
0h40
74. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
0h40
81. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
0h44
86. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
0h46
87. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
0h47
91. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
0h48
92. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
0h48
93. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)
0h49
97. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
0h49
99. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
0h49
102. Samsung Galaxy S23 (Snapdragon)
0h50
102. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon)
0h50
104. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
0h51
105. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
0h51
107. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
0h51
107. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
0h51
109. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
0h51
110. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10S
0h52
111. Apple iPhone 12 mini
0h52
112. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10
0h52
114. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
0h52
116. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
0h53
119. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
0h54
119. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
0h54
121. Apple iPhone 15 Plus
0h54
122. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
0h55
123. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
0h56
124. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
0h56
125. Honor Magic6 Lite (5800 mAh)
0h56
127. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
0h57
128. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
0h57
129. Apple iPhone 13 mini
0h57
130. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
0h57
131. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
0h57
137. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
1h01
141. Apple iPhone 14 Plus
1h03
147. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
1h06
154. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
1h15
159. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
1h22
161. Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022
1h25
164. Motorola Moto G62 5G
1h26
165. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
1h28
166. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
1h30
173. Motorola Moto G9 Power
1h53
Position in Advanced Ranking
Charging Time 0-80%
11
th
5. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
0h31
6. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
0h33
8. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
0h38
13. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
0h44
15. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
0h47
17. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
0h49
21. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
0h51
23. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
0h54
23. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
0h54
25. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro
0h55
26. Honor Magic6 Lite (5800 mAh)
0h56
34. Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G
1h22
38. Samsung Galaxy A13 5G
1h30
40. Motorola Moto G9 Power
1h53
Quick boost
Realme GT Neo 3
Best: Realme GT Neo 3 (111)
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G puts in a very good performance for its price range, thanks to a fast charge and very good efficiency that results in a boost of around 5 hours of autonomy for a five-minute charge with a remaining charge of 50% or lower. This is 30 minutes more than the Oppo A94 5G and between 30 minutes and an hour more than the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro.
|
| OnePlus Nord CE 5G | Oppo A94 5G | Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro |
Autonomy boost (hh:mm) | 20% | 5:01 | 4:33 | 4:37 |
40% | 5:00 | 4:29 | 4:04 |
60% | 4:17 | 3:53 | 4:04 |
80% | 2:30 | 2:20 | 2:59 |
Percentage boost | 20% | 10.6 % | 11.4 % | 9.4 % |
40% | 10.6 % | 11.3 % | 8.3 % |
60% | 9.1 % | 9.8 % | 8.3 % |
80% | 5.3 % | 5.9 % | 6.1 % |
Energy consumed | 20% | 2361 mWh | 2501 mWh | 2504 mWh |
40% | 2357 mWh | 2464 mWh | 2201 mWh |
60% | 2021 mWh | 2135 mWh | 2201 mWh |
80% | 1177 mWh | 1284 mWh | 1618 mWh |
Efficiency (89)
Our Efficiency score comprises two sub-scores, Charge up and Discharge. Charge up is the efficiency of a full charge (how much energy is drained from the wall outlet vs the energy capacity of the battery, as well as the efficiency of the charger and its residual consumption). Discharge is how much current the smartphone drains from the battery when in use (the ratio of battery capacity to autonomy). Better autonomy with a smaller battery means better efficiency.
Charge up
Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro
Best: Nubia RedMagic 7 Pro (105)
Thanks to its great efficiency, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G posts 5 points over the Oppo A94 5G and 10 points over the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro.
Discharge
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
Best: Apple iPhone 13 Pro (121)
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is one of the best devices we have measured for discharge efficiency so far. Though its discharge rate for calling and gaming is only average, it is particularly efficient in our video use case tests and in our daytime TUS tests.
Conclusion
While it does not have the best autonomy or the best charging performance in our database, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G strikes a good balance between autonomy and charging, and outshines nearly all others in terms of efficiency.
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