With India’s smartphone market booming in the sub-₹25,000 range, choosing the right 5G phone has become a serious decision. Two popular contenders in this category are the OnePlus Nord CE4 and the iQOO Z9 5G. While both offer excellent features at competitive prices, there are key differences in design, performance, camera, battery life, and user experience that can influence your choice.
This article gives you a complete comparison of the OnePlus Nord CE4 vs iQOO Z9 5G to help you decide which one truly delivers the best bang for your buck in 2025.
Design & Display: Premium Feel vs Practical Build
The OnePlus Nord CE4 sports a sleek and minimalist design, inspired by higher-end OnePlus models. It features a plastic frame with a glossy or matte finish, depending on the variant. The IP54 rating makes it resistant to light splashes, which is a bonus.
The 6.7-inch AMOLED display offers Full HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support, making it a great pick for multimedia lovers and gamers.
The iQOO Z9 5G has a plastic unibody design and is slightly more compact with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display. It also supports Full HD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, but lacks HDR10+, which slightly impacts color depth when streaming HDR content.
✔️ Verdict: OnePlus Nord CE4 wins for its refined design and better display experience.
Performance & Software: Smooth and Powerful
OnePlus Nord CE4
- Powered by Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, a 4nm chipset with strong performance and excellent power efficiency.
- Offers 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, expandable via microSD card.
- Delivers smooth gaming performance, app launches, and multitasking.
iQOO Z9 5G
- Features the MediaTek Dimensity 7200, a 4nm chip built for mid-range efficiency and decent GPU power.
- Comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage, expandable too.
- While performance is solid, it’s slightly behind the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 in benchmark scores and real-world usage.
Software Experience:
- OnePlus Nord CE4 runs OxygenOS 14, which is close to stock Android, fast, and minimal.
- iQOO Z9 5G uses Funtouch OS 14, offering many features but also pre-installed apps that some may find unnecessary.
✔️ Verdict: OnePlus wins with better chip performance and cleaner UI.
Camera Comparison: Ultra-Wide Advantage
OnePlus Nord CE4
- 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS captures sharp, detailed images, especially in low light.
- 8MP ultra-wide camera offers extra flexibility for landscape shots and group photos.
- 16MP front camera delivers good selfies, enhanced by OnePlus’s software processing.
iQOO Z9 5G
- 50MP Sony IMX882 main sensor, no OIS, but good daylight performance.
- Lacks ultra-wide — only a 2MP depth sensor, which doesn’t add much to photography.
- Also has a 16MP front camera, decent for casual selfies.
✔️ Verdict: OnePlus takes the lead with OIS and a usable ultra-wide lens.
Battery Life & Charging: Speed Matters
Both phones have 5000mAh batteries, which last more than a day under normal usage.
- OnePlus Nord CE4 supports a blazing-fast 100W SUPERVOOC charging, which can charge the phone from 0 to 100% in around 30 minutes.
- iQOO Z9 5G supports 44W FlashCharge, taking about 65–70 minutes for a full charge.
✔️ Verdict: OnePlus is the clear winner in charging speed and convenience.
Pricing & Value for Money
| Variant | OnePlus Nord CE4 | iQOO Z9 5G |
|---|---|---|
| 8GB + 128GB | ₹24,999 | ₹19,999 |
| 8GB + 256GB | ₹26,999 | ₹21,999 |
- If your budget is tight and you want a solid performer under ₹20K, iQOO Z9 5G delivers good value.
- If you want a future-proof phone with better camera, charging, and performance, go for OnePlus Nord CE4.
✔️ Verdict: iQOO Z9 wins on price, OnePlus wins on overall features.
Full Comparison Table
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE4 | iQOO Z9 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+ | 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 (4nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7200 (4nm) |
| Rear Camera | 50MP (OIS) + 8MP Ultra-Wide | 50MP + 2MP Depth |
| Front Camera | 16MP | 16MP |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 100W Charging | 5000mAh, 44W Charging |
| Storage/RAM | 128/256GB + 8GB RAM | 128/256GB + 8GB RAM |
| OS | Android 14, OxygenOS | Android 14, Funtouch OS |
| Price | Starts at ₹24,999 | Starts at ₹19,999 |
The battle between OnePlus Nord CE4 and iQOO Z9 5G is close, but your choice depends on what matters more to you.
- If you’re looking for a feature-rich phone with faster charging, better camera, cleaner software, and superior display, go with the OnePlus Nord CE4.
- If your budget is below ₹20,000 and you want solid performance with good battery and display, the iQOO Z9 5G is an excellent pick.
FAQ’s:
Q1. Which phone is better for gaming: OnePlus Nord CE4 or iQOO Z9 5G?
A: OnePlus Nord CE4, thanks to the newer Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip and better thermal handling.
Q2. Does OnePlus Nord CE4 support expandable storage?
A: Yes, both phones support microSD card expansion.
Q3. Which has a better camera for night shots?
A: OnePlus Nord CE4 has OIS and better low-light performance.
Q4. How long does it take to charge the OnePlus Nord CE4?
A: It takes about 30 minutes to fully charge with 100W SUPERVOOC.
Q5. Which is better for long-term usage?
A: OnePlus Nord CE4 offers more durable features, software updates, and faster charging — making it better for long-term use.
