OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A53: Which should you buy

OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A53: The OnePlus Nord 2T is a phone that features a very good performing chipset while the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is a phone that is water and dustproof. What else should you look out for when deciding to buy these two phones? Between the OnePlus Nord 2T and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G which should you buy? Well, let’s find out from this comparison.

In this post, I’ll compare the specs of the OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A53 side-by-side to help you know which is better. At the end of this post, you will know which of these two phones to buy and why.

OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A53 Specs

Specs	OnePlus Nord 2T	Galaxy A53 5G
Display	6.43-inch, 90Hz	6.52-inch, 120Hz
RAM	8/12GB	6/8GB
Storage	128/256GB	128/256GB
Back Camera	50 + 8 + 2MP	64 + 12 + 5 + 5MP
Front Camera	32MP	32MP
Chipset	Dimensity 1300	Exynos 1280 5G
Software	Android 12	Android 12
Battery	4,500mAh (80W)	5,000mAh (25W)
IP Rating	Unspecified	IP67

Nord 2T vs Galaxy A53: Display, Build, and Design

The Galaxy A53 5G comes with a 6.52-inches AMOLED display with support for a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. While the OnePlus Nord 2T comes with a slightly smaller 6.43-inches, the same AMOLED display, the same FHD+ resolution, but a 90Hz refresh rate. Another difference on the screen is that the punch-hole of the Galaxy A53 is placed on the top while that of the OnePlus Nord 2T is on the top left corner.

As far as the display goes, you get about the same quality and feature. The design of both phones looks really good and both smartphones have similar rear camera modules. The displays of both phones are protected by Gorilla Glass 5 but only the Galaxy A53 5G is water and dustproof.

When it comes to display and durability, the Galaxy A53 5G is better than the OnePlus Nord 2T. Its display has a 120Hz refresh rate (Nord 2T has 90Hz) and it’s also water and dustproof (Nord 2T is not). But, when it comes to design, it comes down to user preferences. Some people prefer the design of the Galaxy A53 5G others prefer the design of the OnePlus Nord 2T.

Nord 2T vs Galaxy A53: Camera

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G has quad rear cameras and a single front camera. At the rear, it has a 64MP primary camera with PDAF and OIS features. The primary camera is supported by a 12MP ultra-wide lens, a 5MP depth sensor, and a 5MP macro lens. On the front, it has a 32MP front camera that can shoot steady videos in 4k resolution.

The OnePlus Nord 2T has the same 32MP front camera as the Galaxy A53 5G but has a different rear camera setup. On the rear, the OnePlus Nord 2T has a 50MP primary camera with an OIS stabilization feature, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens.

The cameras of both phones will give you just about the same quality. Even the night photography experience on the Nord 2T and Galaxy A53 5G is very similar. But, the Galaxy A53 5G gives you more camera sensors, and its rear and front cameras can shoot steady videos in 4k resolution (only the 50MP sensor of the Nord 2T can shoot steady videos in 4k resolution).

Nord 2T vs Galaxy A53: Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G

Both the Galaxy A53 5G and OnePlus Nord 2T are 5G enabled smartphones but the performances of both phones are different. This is because the chipsets on both phones are different.

The OnePlus Nord 2T chipset is the Dimensity 1300 5G from MediaTek. While the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G chipset is the Exynos 1280 5G from Samsung. The chipset inside the OnePlus Nord 2T has faster and newer CPU cores than the chipset inside the Galaxy A53 5G. Also, the GPU that comes with the OnePlus Nord 2T is also more powerful than the GPU inside the Galaxy A53 5G.

The performance of the OnePlus Nord 2T is about 25% faster and better than that of the Galaxy A53 5G. So when it comes to playing heavy games and rendering high graphics, the OnePlus Nord 2T does a better job than the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G.

The OnePlus Nord 2T RAM is 8GB or 12GB, and its storage is 128GB or 256GB. The Galaxy A53 5G RAM is 6GB or 8GB, and its storage is 128GB or 256GB. Only the Galaxy A53 5G has room for a MicroSD card slot for storage expansion.

Nord 2T vs Galaxy A53: Software

The OnePlus Nord 2T boots ColorOS 12.1 based on Android 12 out of the box. OnePlus promises at least two years of major software updates and three years of monthly security patches for the Nord 2T. The Galaxy A53 5G boots One UI 4.0 based on Android 12 out of the box. Samsung promises four years of major software updates and five years of monthly security patches for the Galaxy A53 5G.

So, on the software front, the Galaxy A53 5G is the better phone. Five years from now, the Galaxy A53 5G will still be getting updates but three years from now, you won’t be getting updates on the OnePlus Nord 2T.

Nord 2T vs Galaxy A53: Battery

OnePlus Nord 2T is powered by a 4,500mAh battery while the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is powered by a 5,000mAh battery. The Nord 2T has support for an 80W fast charge while the Galaxy A53 5G has support for a 25W fast charge solution. The 5,000mAh battery of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G lasts longer than the 4,500mAh battery of the OnePlus Nord 2T.

But, the 80W fast charge solution of the OnePlus Nord 2T charges faster than the 25W of the Galaxy A53 5G. So, for a faster charge solution, buy the Nord 2T but for a longer-lasting battery, then buy the Galaxy A53 5G.

OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A53: Price

The price of the OnePlus Nord 2T is $465 (£369) and it comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage while the starting price of the Galaxy A53 5G is $449 for a model with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The OnePlus Nord 2T is $15 more expensive.

Buy OnePlus Nord 2T and Galaxy A53 5G

OnePlus Nord 2T	Price	Galaxy A53 5G	Price
Buy on Amazon	£369	Buy on Amazon	$449
Buy from OnePlus	£369

OnePlus Nord 2T vs Samsung Galaxy A53: Verdict

So, between the OnePlus Nord 2T and Samsung Galaxy A53 5G which should you buy? You should buy the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G and here is why.

Yes, the OnePlus Nord 2T has a better-performing chipset with a faster CPU and a more powerful GPU. But aside from this, the Galaxy A53 5G is the better phone in other areas. The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G is more durable, has more camera options, has a better battery, has a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, has more software updates, and is cheaper.

Although the OnePlus Nord 2T is a very good phone, it’s still not better than the Galaxy A53 5G in most areas. So, the Galaxy A53 5G is a more complete phone than the OnePlus Nord 2T. But, if you prefer performance above everything else, then you should buy the OnePlus Nord 2T.

So, if I’m to score both smartphones, I’ll score the OnePlus Nord 2T (45%) and the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (55%). The Galaxy A53 5G might have lower performance, but it is more durable, has a bigger battery, has better camera sensors, has a better software update policy, and is cheaper.