Mid-Range Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus Nord CE 5 and Vivo Y400 Pro 5G

The mid-range smartphone segment in India is bustling with new entrants almost every month. Among the most recent contenders are the OnePlus Nord CE 5 and the Vivo Y400 Pro 5G two devices that promise excellent specs at competitive prices. If you're confused between the two, here’s a detailed on-paper comparison to help you make an informed decision.
Display
Both smartphones come equipped with a 6.77-inch AMOLED Display and a Full-HD+ resolution of 2392 x 1080 pixels. They also share a 120Hz refresh rate and 387 ppi pixel density. However, there’s a clear difference in brightness levels:
OnePlus Nord CE 5: 1430 nits peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3, PWM Dimming, and up to 300Hz touch sampling rate.
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G: A significantly brighter panel at 4500 nits with P3 wide colour gamut.
Verdict: While both screens are visually pleasing, Vivo Y400 Pro 5G takes the lead with a far brighter display, ideal for outdoor usage.
Performance & Software
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex Edition, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.
On the other hand, the Vivo Y400 Pro 5G is equipped with the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, 8GB LPDDR4x RAM, and also UFS 3.1 storage.
In terms of software:
Both phones run on Android 15-based custom skins.
OnePlus promises 4 major Android updates and 6 years of security patches, while Vivo offers 3 OS updates and 4 years of patches.
Verdict: The OnePlus Nord CE 5 delivers a significantly better performance with a more powerful chipset, faster RAM, and longer software support. It’s also more suited for gamers and multitaskers.
Battery & Charging
OnePlus Nord CE 5: 7100mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC charging
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G: 5500mAh battery with 90W fast charging
Verdict: Despite slower charging, the larger 7100mAh battery on the Nord CE 5 ensures longer usage, making it a better pick for heavy users.
Cameras
OnePlus Nord CE 5: Dual rear camera setup with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor (OIS) and 8MP ultra-wide. Selfie: 16MP Sony IMX480.
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G: Dual rear camera with 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor and 2MP depth sensor. Selfie: 32MP front camera.
Verdict: While both offer impressive main sensors, OnePlus’s inclusion of an ultra-wide lens gives it a more practical camera setup. Vivo offers a higher resolution front camera, but real-world image quality can differ.
Other Features
Here, Vivo Y400 Pro 5G scores some extra points:
IP65 rating for water and dust resistance.
Stereo speakers for a better audio experience.
Both devices include IR blasters but lack NFC.
Pricing & Variants
OnePlus Nord CE 5:
₹24,999 (8GB + 128GB)
₹26,999 (8GB + 256GB)
₹28,999 (12GB + 256GB)
Colours: Black Infinity, Marble Mist, Nexus Blue
Vivo Y400 Pro 5G:
₹24,999 (8GB + 128GB)
₹26,999 (8GB + 256GB)
Final Verdict
Both the OnePlus Nord CE 5 and Vivo Y400 Pro 5G deliver solid specs at similar prices. However, OnePlus clearly provides more value for money with a superior processor, better RAM, more practical camera setup, a larger battery, and a longer software support cycle.
While Vivo’s brighter display, IP rating, and stereo speakers are commendable, they aren’t compelling enough to outweigh the overall advantages of the OnePlus Nord CE 5.
Winner: ✅ OnePlus Nord CE 5