OnePlus Nord CE 5 vs. Poco F7 5G: Which Mid-Range Flagship Reigns Supreme?
Mid-range phones are no longer boring. In reality, these phones are becoming more advanced, quicker, and better-looking with each new release. Right now, two phones are fighting for the spotlight: OnePlus Nord CE 5 and Poco F7 5G. Both are packed with features once found only in expensive flagship phones.
The Nord CE 5 is the latest in OnePlus’s Core Edition series, aiming to deliver clean design and smooth performance at a reasonable price. Meanwhile, the Poco F7 5G offers strong performance with a high-end processor and impressive features, all at a price that stays within budget.
But which one truly gives us more for our money?
We’ll go through everything: screen, performance, camera, battery life, software, and other key features. Whether you’re a gamer, content lover, or casual user, we’ll help you figure out which phone fits you best.
Let’s compare, feature by feature, to find the real mid-range winner of 2025.
Smartphones in the mid-range segment are evolving fast. Two heavy-hitters, OnePlus Nord CE 5 and Poco F7 5G, offer features once reserved for flagship devices. We’ll compare them head-to-head to determine which delivers the best value and experience in 2025. Our focus? Design, display, speed, cameras, battery, software, and extras.
Design & Build Quality
Nord CE 5 uses a polycarbonate frame and composite back. It’s sleek, slim (8.17 mm), and light (199 g) with an IP65 dust-and-splash rating, ideal for daily use. Poco F7 5G, on the other hand, carries a more rigid metal/glass body with IP68 water resistance and d premium feel. Both phones offer stylish color options, but Poco takes a slight edge in durability and flair.
Display
Nord CE 5 sports a 6.77″ Super‑Fluid AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. Peak brightness hits ~1430 nits, ensuring crisp outdoor readability.
Poco F7 5G ups the game with a 6.83″ AMOLED panel, 1.5K resolution, 120 Hz refresh, and astonishing brightness (~3200 nits) plus eye-care features. If you’re picky about vibrant visuals and ultra-bright screens, Poco wins.
Performance & Hardware
The Nord CE 5 runs on MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex (4 nm), with up to 12 GB RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. Benchmarks show sharp improvements over last year: ~9% higher single-core and ~25% faster multi-core over previous models. Gaming on COD and Asphalt was smooth.
Poco F7 5G packs a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and up to 12 GB RAM. Reviews praised its speed for multitasking and gaming under £400. Both devices handle daily tasks and mid-level gaming easily, but Poco has the performance edge.
Software Experience
Nord CE 5 launches with OxygenOS 15 on Android 15. We’ll get 4 years of OS updates and 6 years of security patches. It also offers AI tools like VoiceScribe and screen-scan translate, all without too much bloatware.
Poco F7 5G runs HyperOS 2 on Android 15 with AI features and some pre-installed apps. It’ll get around 4–5 years of updates, good but slightly less than Nord’.Nord’s cleaner interface and longer support give it a slight software advantage.
Cameras
Both phones use 50 MP main sensors. Nord CE 5 places it alongside an 8 MP ultrawide and a 16 MP selfie cam. Daylight shots are sharp and colorful; low-light performance is decent, though ultrawide and front cams lag behind top-tier rivals.
Poco F7 5G also features a 50 MP primary sensor, 8an MP ultrawide, and a 20 MP selfie camera. Reviews praise good main camera performance but find ultrawide and selfie cameras just “average”.Both deliver solid everyday camera quality, but Nord’s ultrawide feels more balanced.
Battery Life & Charging
Nord CE 5 has a 7,100 mAh battery with 80 W SuperVOOC charging. Lab tests show ~16.5 hrs PCMark battery life, and full charging takes around 47–50 minutes.
Poco F7 5G features a 6,500 mAh battery and 90 W fast charging. It lasts up to two days in typical use and supports reverse charging at 22.5 W Both excel at battery life. The Nord offers a bigger battery, whereas the Poco provides faster charging and supports reverse charging as well.
Connectivity & Extras
Both support 5G, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, stereo speakers, but Nord’s are mono only. Nord comes with an IR blaster and microSD expansion up to 1 TB, which Poco lacks. Poco adds IP68 water resistance, a slightly more rugged build, and reverse charging. If you want expandability, Nord is superior.
Pricing & Value
In India, Nord CE 5 starts at ₹24,999 (~ US$300), scaling to ₹28,999 for 12 + 256 GB. In Europe, it retails for around €349 (~$375.
Poco F7 5G pricing in Europe begins at £449 (~$550) for 12 + 256 GB, and more regions offer it for under $400 during sales. Nord is the more affordable pick, offering excellent value. Poco costs more but delivers a flagship-grade chip and build.
Conclusion:
Choosing between the OnePlus Nord CE 5 and Poco F7 5G comes down to what you need most. The Nord CE 5 is more affordable, has a clean software experience, and offers great battery life with storage expansion. It’s a solid option for everyday users who want balance without spending too much.
In contrast, the Poco F7 5G stands out with its strong chipset, ultra-bright screen, and high-quality design. It’s better for those who want speed, gaming power, and a flagship feel on a mid-range budget.
Both phones bring great value, but the right one depends on your needs and how much you’re willing to spend.
FAQS:
Yes, it’s a good phone for its price. It has a nice screen, fast performance, strong battery life, and supports 5G. Great for daily use.
Nord CE 3 5G is better. It features a more powerful processor, an improved display, and faster charging speeds. The Lite is cheaper but offers fewer features.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G supports 60–90 FPS in most games. Game performance varies based on settings and updates, but it runs smoothly for most casual players.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and not financial advice. Always conduct your research.