India’s mid-range smartphone market is witnessing an intense face-off between two powerful contenders: the OnePlus Nord 5, launched on July 8, and the Poco F7 5G, which hit the shelves in June. Both smartphones offer flagship-grade features at competitive prices, targeting performance-focused users without stretching their budgets.

From high refresh rate displays and advanced processors to flagship-level cameras and durable builds, both phones bring serious firepower. Here's a detailed comparison of how these mid-range giants stack up.

Pricing and Variants

The OnePlus Nord 5 starts at ₹31,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB model, going up to ₹37,999 for the 12GB + 512GB variant. It is available in Dry Ice, Marble Sands, and Phantom Grey.

In contrast, Poco F7 5G undercuts OnePlus at the higher end, offering its 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB models for ₹31,999 and ₹33,999, respectively. It comes in Cyber Silver Edition, Frost White, and Phantom Black.

Display and Design

Both devices sport a 6.83-inch AMOLED display, but differ in screen features:

• OnePlus Nord 5: 144Hz refresh rate, 1,800 nits peak brightness, IP65 rating, and lightweight 211g design.


• Poco F7 5G: 1.5K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 3,200 nits peak brightness, Gorilla Glass 7i protection, and triple IP ratings (IP66/IP68/IP69), offering superior durability.

Performance and Software

Both smartphones are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s chipsets, but with a generational gap:

• Nord 5 uses the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3.


• Poco F7 5G is equipped with the newer Snapdragon 8s Gen 4.

They offer up to 512GB storage, LPDDR5X RAM, and run Android 15. While OnePlus ships with OxygenOS 15, Poco runs on HyperOS 2.0. Poco edges ahead with four years of Android updates and six years of security support, compared to OnePlus' shorter update cycle.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer 50MP primary rear cameras, but sensor differences set them apart:

• OnePlus Nord 5: Sony LYT-700 sensor (OIS), 8MP ultrawide, and a standout 50MP front camera (Samsung ISOCELL JN5).


• Poco F7 5G: Sony IMX882 sensor, 8MP ultrawide, and a 20MP front camera.

While rear setups are similar, selfie enthusiasts may prefer the higher-resolution front camera on the Nord 5.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is another major battleground:

• OnePlus Nord 5: 6,800mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging.


• Poco F7 5G: Larger 7,550mAh battery, 90W fast charging, and 22.5W reverse charging. It also features a 3D IceLoop cooling system for better performance during heavy tasks like gaming.

Connectivity and Extras

Both phones support 5G, NFC, GPS, and USB Type-C. Key differences:

• Poco F7 5G supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0.


• OnePlus Nord 5 offers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, an IR blaster, and a programmable Plus Key for extra customization.

Verdict

Both smartphones present excellent value in the under-₹40,000 bracket:

• OnePlus Nord 5 excels with a high-refresh-rate display, top-tier selfie camera, and hardware features like the Plus Key.


• Poco F7 5G, however, stands out with a newer processor, brighter and more durable screen, bigger battery, faster charging, and longer software support — making it the more performance-oriented choice.

Conclusion: The choice between the two comes down to priorities — selfie performance and UI fluidity with OnePlus, or raw power, battery, and longevity with Poco.