The OnePlus Nord N30 5G and OnePlus Nord N20 5G offer a fascinating comparison. Despite being released just a year apart, both devices are relatively up-to-date and share numerous features.

Consequently, deciding between them becomes even more challenging. If you come across a good deal on the OnePlus Nord N20 5G, should you go for it or spend more on the newer model? We’re here to assist you in making an informed decision.

One thing to also note is that both devices have a nearly identical price point even though the newer Nord N30 5G has a higher resale value if you decide to opt for a different device in the future.

A newer iteration or update to a previous device doesn’t always mean they’re better in every sense but one to note is the fact that OEMs often fix mistakes they made in the past on their newer products even though they sometimes just ruin everything altogether but that’s not the case of these smartphones.

But without any further ado, let’s get into the comparison to help you make an informed decision.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. OnePlus Nord N20 5G: Key Features and Appearance

The OnePlus Nord N30 is the more recent device, launched in early June 2023. It is available in Chromatic Gray, featuring a 6.72-inch LCD display with an impressive 120Hz refresh rate and a generous resolution of 2,400 x 1,080.

The screen extends to the edges of the phone, maximizing the screen real estate.

Despite being an LCD display instead of an AMOLED, the display quality on the device is almost similar thanks to similar hardware similarities with the previous model, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G which has an AMOLED panel.

Even with all the praises, we still can’t compare the intricacies of an AMOLED panel to an LCD screen which somehow made the Nord 30’s screen a bit cheap.

It is surprising that OnePlus didn’t opt for an AMOLED screen for this upgraded device. Nevertheless, this is an aspect worth considering.

Equipped with dual stereo speakers, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G boasts a 5,000 mAh battery and supports 50W SuperVOOC fast charging.

Additionally, it includes an Endurance edition that helps extend battery life and prevents overcharging. The phone features 12 built-in temperature sensors, a smart charging chip, and adaptive charging that adjusts to your sleep schedule, resulting in impressive battery performance.

It is important to note that the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is not rated as water-resistant or water-repellant, so caution is advised when using it around water sources.

Alternatively, you can opt for a rugged, protective, waterproof case. Storage options include 128GB or 256GB variants, expandable up to 1TB with an optional microSD card.

Running on OxygenOS 13.1, based on Android 13, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers benefits such as fast app installation and reduced power consumption, contributing to improved battery life.

It lacks the under-display fingerprint sensor but offers face unlock, Bluetooth 5.1, USB-C, NFC, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G features a slightly smaller 6.43-inch AMOLED screen, providing a superior display compared to the standard LCD of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G.

The screen is slightly brighter than that of the N30 5G even though it shares the same resolution and has a lower refresh rate at just 60Hz.

With a stunning BlueQuantum finish, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G’s design is fascinating. It includes a fingerprint sensor along with a face unlock.

However, it has a less powerful 4,500mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging. Even at that, you could still get a-and-a-half of usage from a single charge.

Although the battery is not as large as that of the OnePlus Nord N30 5G, there are features to help extend its life, such as a battery optimization option that reduces the refresh rate or disables GPS when the battery is running low.

The OnePlus Nord N20 5G operates on OxygenOS based on an older version of Android 11, with the possibility of upgrading to Android 12. However, further OS updates are limited.

Given that OS updates are vital for a phone’s longevity, this could be a dealbreaker for some users.

The newer OnePlus Nord N30 5G’s OxygenOS has some interesting updates and improvements over the previous model.

Nevertheless, users can still enjoy OxygenOS personalization features such as a redesigned home screen and different themes.

The phone supports Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, and a headphone jack. It is worth noting that the OnePlus Nord N20 5G has a mono speaker instead of stereo speakers, so the sound quality may not be as impressive.

Furthermore, it offers limited storage options, with only a 128GB variant and expansion support up to 512GB via an optional memory card.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. OnePlus Nord N20 5G: User Experience

The OnePlus Nord N30 5G comes with Android 13 out of the box and a promise of at least one major Android update, along with three years of security updates.

Powered by a Snapdragon 695 chipset, it features an impressive 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance for gaming, streaming, and other tasks.

Additionally, it includes special gaming features that provide a lag-free gaming experience.

Equipped with a 108MP camera system utilizing a Samsung sensor, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G incorporates 9-in-1 pixel binning technology to capture more light.

It also boasts a decent 16MP front camera, a 3MP depth assist camera, and a 2MP macro lens. A telephoto sensor might have just been a better substitute over the whack macro camera on the device. Users can enjoy features like gesture support for capturing photos, portrait mode, retouching, and bokeh effects.

Furthermore, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers stereo speakers and a 200% Ultra Volume Mode, allowing for increased volume when using the phone as a speakerphone or for listening to music. This feature enhances the sound quality without any buzzing or distortion.

On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G shares the same Snapdragon 695 processor but comes with 6GB of RAM, slightly less than its counterpart.

It also includes gaming features such as Game Mode, which optimizes battery usage and boosts performance during gaming sessions, and Game Focus Mode, which blocks distractions to enable uninterrupted gameplay.

Playing graphics-heavy games and high-performance games on the device showed little to no noticeable stutter as the experience is mostly buttery-smooth.

In terms of the camera system, the OnePlus Nord N20 5G offers a triple camera setup, consisting of a 64MP main camera, a 16MP front camera, and a 2MP macro camera.

While it may not match the capabilities of the newer OnePlus Nord N30 5G, it still performs well for most users.

OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. OnePlus Nord N20 5G: Which One to Choose?

It is generally reasonable to assume that a newer phone is better than an older one, and this holds true for the OnePlus Nord N30 5G vs. OnePlus Nord N20 5G in most aspects.

During a review, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G has “nearly everything improved,” making it the obvious choice between the two. However, there are a few points worth considering.

Firstly, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G lacks a fingerprint sensor, which is an odd omission considering the OnePlus Nord N20 5G includes one. Additionally, it features an LCD screen instead of an AMOLED display, although it maintains the same resolution and an impressively high refresh rate.

However, the screen may not offer the same level of visual quality. Furthermore, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G is a larger device, so potential buyers should take this into account.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G offers numerous advantages. It includes a larger battery with faster charging capabilities, stereo speakers instead of mono speakers, more RAM for enhanced performance, expandable storage options, and improved cameras.

Most importantly, it comes with the latest version of the Android OS and guarantees an upgrade to the next major Android update.

For many users, this could be the deciding factor in favor of the newer model.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord N30 5G provides better value for the money and is likely to have a longer lifespan and higher resale value when users decide to upgrade in the future.