Highlights
- The OnePlus Nord 3, iQOO Neo 7 Pro, and Poco F5 offer compelling features at competitive prices in the Indian mid-tier premium smartphone market.
- The Nord 3 leads with display brightness and premium design, while the Neo 7 Pro excels in fast charging and boasts a robust Snapdragon chipset.
- The Poco F5, on the other hand, offers Dolby Vision support, a superior primary camera, and the advantage of being lightweight and slim.
The high-end midrange smartphone market in India is brimming with activity. OnePlus announced Nord 3 5G earlier this month for a price of Rs 33,999.
Former Vivo sub-brand iQOO also launched the Neo 7 Pro 5G last month. Additionally, there is also the Poco’s F5 5G, priced just under Rs 30,000, which is turning a few heads as well.
All three devices, with their compelling hardware packaged in appealing bodies, are poised to make waves in the market thanks to their unbeatable value. However, it is prudent to know which of these devices is good for your needs.
Each handset carries a unique selling point that differentiates it from the others and all three are strong contenders for the title of the best mid-tier premium smartphones in the market.
We are going to compare these three phones head-to-head to evaluate their merits. So, let’s begin.
Display
The OnePlus Nord 3 sports a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with an FHD+ resolution and a refresh rate that can reach up to 120Hz. The panel can hit a brightness of 1,450 nits and is HDR10+ compatible. It also comes equipped with robust Dragontrail glass protection.
Following the Nord 3, the iQOO Neo 7 Pro offers a slightly larger 6.78-inch AMOLED display which is also FHD+ and can refresh at 120Hz. The phone has up to 1,300 nits of brightness and has HDR10+ certification.
Finally you have the Poco F5 which features a 6.67-inch pOLED display with 1080p resolution, offering up to 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling.
The panel can reach a maximum brightness that is lower than the other two at 1,000 nits but it does support HDR10+ and also Dolby Vision playback.
Verdict: All three phones offer remarkable displays, but Nord 3 leads with brightness, Neo 7 Pro boasts a slightly larger screen, while Poco F5 excels with its Dolby Vision support.
Design
In terms of the design, OnePlus Nord 3 tips the scales at 194g while the iQOO Neo 7 Pro is about the same. The POCO F5, however, is about 13g lighter in weight and also a shade thinner.
Apart from that both the iQOO Neo 7 Pro and POCO F5 have some kind of IP rating to protect it against accidental splashes.
However, there is no such rating on the OnePlus Nord 3. As for the backpanel, while the OnePlus Nord 3 offers Gorilla Glass for a more premium look, the POCO F5 and Neo 7 Pro both have a plastic back.
Verdict: All three smartphones have their unique strengths: Nord 3’s premium Gorilla Glass back, Neo 7 Pro and Poco F5’s splash resistance, and Poco F5’s advantage of being lighter and slimmer. The choice ultimately depends on the users’ individual design preferences.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord 3 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset, a flagship SoC from a year ago, promising a blend of performance and power efficiency, both of which are optimal for rigorous tasks.
The Poco F5, on the other hand, employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 2 chip, delivering adequate performance for daily usage and moderate gaming.
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro is also equipped with a flagship offering from last year in the form of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, making it an ideal choice for intensive applications and high-end gaming.
Storage for all three smartphones can reach up to 256GB, but the OnePlus Nord 3 has the maximum amount of RAM on offer at 16GB.
Verdict: The choice among these phones would depend on users’ performance needs. For casual users or those on a budget, the Poco F5 could be a great choice, while power users and gamers might lean more towards the iQOO Neo 7 Pro or the OnePlus Nord 3.
Cameras
The OnePlus Nord 3 offers a triple-camera system which features the primary 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor with OIS, 8MP ultrawide shooter and a 2MP macro lens. It can record 4K videos at 60fps and has a 16MP front camera.
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro’s camera setup is quite similar, with a 50MP main sensor although instead of Sony it’s a Samsung ISOCELL GN5 instead.
Both the 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lenses remain the same and it also features a 16MP front camera. Video recording capabilities are also the same at 4K 60fps.
Meanwhile, the Poco F5 boasts a higher resolution 64MP Samsung ISOCELL sensor accompanied by the standard 8MP ultrawide and 2MP macro lenses, and a 16MP selfie shooter.
It can also shoot a maximum of 4K resolution videos at 60fps.
Verdict: While the OnePlus Nord 3 and iQOO Neo 7 Pro have comparable camera setups with different 50MP main sensors, the Poco F5 distinguishes itself with a higher-resolution 64MP primary camera.
Battery and Charging
All three smartphones, OnePlus Nord 3, iQOO Neo 7 Pro, and Poco F5, have robust 5,000mAh batteries.
However, their fast-charging capabilities differ. The iQOO Neo 7 Pro leads with a massive 120W fast charging, followed by the Nord 3 with 80W, and the Poco F5 supporting up to 67W.
This implies quicker recharge times, particularly for the iQOO Neo 7 Pro.
Verdict
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro is a clear winner here thanks to its superior charging speeds.
Final verdict
After a quick glance at the specs offered on three devices it is clear that each of them is a strong contenders in the mid-tier premium smartphone segment.
The OnePlus Nord 3 leads in terms of display brightness and uses a premium Gorilla Glass back while offering solid performance with its MediaTek Dimensity 9000 chipset.
The iQOO Neo 7 Pro, on the other hand, stands out with the fastest charging speed at 120W and has a better flagship SoC, making it an ideal choice for power users and gaming enthusiasts.
The Poco F5, while being the most economical, doesn’t compromise on quality, boasting a superior 64MP primary camera, Dolby Vision support for its display, and the added benefit of being lighter and slimmer.
Ultimately, the choice will depend on individual user preferences and specific needs, but rest assured, all three options provide excellent value for the price.
| Description | OnePlus Nord 3 | iQOO Neo 7 Pro | POCO F5 |
| Display | 6.74-inch AMOLED
120Hz FHD+ |
6.78-inch AMOLED 120Hz
FHD+ |
6.67-inch pOLED 120Hz
FHD+ |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9000 | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 7+ Gen 2 |
| RAM | Up to 16GB RAM LPDDR5X | Up to 12GB RAM LPDDR5 | Up to 12GB RAM LPDDR5 |
| Storage | Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 | Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 | Up to 256GB UFS 3.1 |
| Rear cameras | 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP | 50 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP | 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP |
| Battery and charging | 5,000mAh, 80W | 5,000mAh, 120W | 5,000mAh, 67W |
| Software | OxygenOS 13 | FunTouchOS 13 | MIUI 13 |
| Price | Starting at Rs 33,999 | Starting at Rs 34,999 | Starting at Rs 27,999 |
OnePlus Nord 3 5G Key Specifications
Key Specs
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9000 MT6983 |
| Rear Camera | 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Display | 6.7 inches (17.02 cm) |
General
| Launch Date | June 21, 2023 (Unofficial) |
| Operating System | Android v13 |
| Custom UI | Oxygen OS |
Performance
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9000 MT6983 |
| CPU | Octa core (3.05 GHz, Single core, Cortex X2 + 2.85 GHz, Tri core, Cortex A710 + 1.8 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A510) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Mali-G710 MC10 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
Display
| Display Type | AMOLED |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches (17.02 cm) |
| Resolution | 1240 x 2772 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | 453 ppi |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Camera
| MAIN CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Triple | |
| Resolution | 64 MP f/1.8, Wide Angle, Primary Camera 8 MP f/2.25, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera 2 MP f/2.4, Macro Camera |
|
| Sensor | IMX890, Exmor-RS CMOS Sensor | |
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| OIS | Yes | |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash | |
| Image Resolution | 9000 x 7000 Pixels | |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control | |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
|
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom Auto Flash Face detection Touch to focus |
|
| FRONT CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Single | |
| Resolution | 16 MP f/2.5, Wide Angle, Primary Camera | |
Battery
| Capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | No |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Fast, 80W |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
Storage
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | No |
Network & Connectivity
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
| Network Support | 5G Not Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| SIM 1 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| SIM 2 |
4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n) |
| Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.2 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| USB Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
Multimedia
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | USB Type-C |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | On-screen |
| Fingerprint Sensor Type | Optical |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
IQOO NEO 7 PRO KEY SPECIFICATIONS
Key Specs
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 2 MP + 2 MP |
| Front Camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 5000 mAh |
| Display | 6.78 inches (17.22 cm) |
General
| Launch Date | October 18, 2023 (Unofficial) |
| Operating System | Android v13 |
Performance
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 |
| CPU | Octa core (3.2 GHz, Single core, Cortex X2 + 2.75 GHz, Tri core, Cortex A710 + 2 GHz, Cortex A510) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 730 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
Display
| Display Type | AMOLED |
| Screen Size | 6.78 inches (17.22 cm) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Aspect Ratio | 20:9 |
| Pixel Density | 388 ppi |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Camera
| MAIN CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Triple | |
| Resolution | 50 MP, Primary Camera 2 MP, Macro Camera 2 MP f/2.4, Depth Camera |
|
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| OIS | Yes | |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash | |
| Image Resolution | 8150 x 6150 Pixels | |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control | |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
|
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom Auto Flash Face detection Touch to focus |
|
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 30 fps | |
| FRONT CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Single | |
| Resolution | 32 MP, Primary Camera | |
Battery
| Capacity | 5000 mAh |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | No |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Flash, 120W |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
Storage
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | No |
Network & Connectivity
| SIM Slot(s) | Dual SIM, GSM+GSM |
| SIM Size | SIM1: Nano, SIM2: Nano |
| Network Support | 5G Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G |
| VoLTE | Yes |
| SIM 1 |
5G Bands:
FDD N3
TDD N40 4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| SIM 2 |
5G Bands:
FDD N3
TDD N40 4G Bands:
TD-LTE 2300(band 40)
FD-LTE 1800(band 3) 3G Bands:
UMTS 1900 / 2100 / 850 / 900 MHz
2G Bands:
GSM 1800 / 1900 / 850 / 900 MHz
GPRS:
Available
EDGE:
Available
|
| Wi-Fi | Yes, Wi-Fi 6 (802.11 a/b/n/ac/ax) 5GHz |
| Wi-Fi Features | Mobile Hotspot |
| Bluetooth | Yes, v5.3 |
| GPS | Yes with A-GPS, Glonass |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB Connectivity | Mass storage device, USB charging |
Multimedia
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | USB Type-C |
Sensors
| Fingerprint Sensor | Yes |
| Fingerprint Sensor Position | On-screen |
| Fingerprint Sensor Type | Optical |
| Other Sensors | Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
POCO F5 KEY SPECIFICATIONS
Key Specs
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 |
| Rear Camera | 64 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP |
| Front Camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 4700 mAh |
| Display | 6.7 inches (17.02 cm) |
General
| Launch Date | April 3, 2023 (Unofficial) |
| Operating System | Android v12 |
Performance
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 |
| CPU | Octa core (2 GHz, Dual core, Kryo 560 + 1.7 GHz, Hexa Core, Kryo 560) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 8 nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 619L |
| RAM | 8 GB |
Display
| Display Type | Super AMOLED |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches (17.02 cm) |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| Pixel Density | 393 ppi |
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass v5 |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
Camera
| MAIN CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Triple | |
| Resolution | 64 MP f/1.8, Wide Angle, Primary Camera 8 MP f/2.2, Ultra-Wide Angle Camera 5 MP f/2.4 |
|
| Autofocus | Yes | |
| Flash | Yes, LED Flash | |
| Image Resolution | 9000 x 7000 Pixels | |
| Settings | Exposure compensation, ISO control | |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
|
| Camera Features | Digital Zoom Auto Flash Face detection Touch to focus |
|
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps | |
| FRONT CAMERA | ||
| Camera Setup | Single | |
| Resolution | 32 MP f/2.45, Primary Camera | |
| Video Recording | 1920×1080 @ 30 fps | |
Battery
| Capacity | 4700 mAh |
| Type | Li-Polymer |
| Removable | No |
| Quick Charging | Yes, Sonic, 67W |
| USB Type-C | Yes |
Storage
| Internal Memory | 128 GB |
| Expandable Memory | No |
Network & Connectivity
SIM Slot(s)Dual SIM, GSM+GSMSIM SizeSIM1: Nano, SIM2: NanoNetwork Support5G Not Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2GVoLTEYesSIM 1
FD-LTE 1800(band 3)
SIM 2
FD-LTE 1800(band 3)
Wi-FiYes, Wi-Fi 4 (802.11 b/g/n)Wi-Fi FeaturesMobile HotspotBluetoothYes, v5.3GPSYes with A-GPS, GlonassNFCYesUSB ConnectivityMass storage device, USB charging
Multimedia
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| Audio Jack | USB Type-C |
Sensors
FAQs
Ques. Which smartphone has the best display among the OnePlus Nord 3, iQOO Neo 7 Pro, and Poco F5?
Ans) While all three offer high-quality displays, the OnePlus Nord 3 leads in brightness, the Neo 7 Pro has a slightly larger screen, and the Poco F5 supports Dolby Vision and offers a higher touch response.
Ques. Which of the three smartphones provides the fastest charging?
Ans) The iQOO Neo 7 Pro leads in fast charging with a whopping 120W speed, followed by the OnePlus Nord 3 with 80W, and the Poco F5 supporting up to 67W.
Ques. Which smartphone has the best camera setup?
Ans) While the OnePlus Nord 3 and iQOO Neo 7 Pro have similar setups with different 50MP main sensors, the Poco F5 distinguishes itself with a higher-resolution 64MP primary camera.