OnePlus Nord N30 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE pulls ahead despite its $599 price tag due to superior camera performance and display quality. Its 50 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization and dual pixel autofocus delivers noticeably sharper photos, while the 8 MP telephoto lens and 12 MP ultrawide provide versatility the Nord N30 cannot match with its basic 2 MP depth sensor. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display reaches 1450 nits versus the Nord's 680 nits, making outdoor visibility and color reproduction considerably better. Processing power favors Samsung through either Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chips, significantly outpacing the Snapdragon 695. Battery capacity differs notably: the Nord N30 holds 5000 mAh against 4500 mAh, though Samsung's faster 25W charging and wireless capabilities add practical value. Build quality matters here too; Samsung offers aluminum framing and Gorilla Glass 5 with IP68 water resistance, while OnePlus uses plastic construction with IP54 rating. The Nord N30 compensates somewhat through lower price and faster 50W charging, plus a larger display. For most users, Galaxy S23 FE's camera system, display, and processor justify the $300 premium, particularly if photography matters to you.
Who Should Buy
Buy the OnePlus Nord N30 if…
- →108 MP main camera for high-resolution shots
- →50W charging is fast for the budget tier
- →5G connectivity at entry-level price
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
OnePlus Nord N30
Pros
- 108 MP main camera for high-resolution shots
- 50W charging is fast for the budget tier
- 5G connectivity at entry-level price
- Large 6.72-inch display
- Solid battery life from 5000 mAh
Cons
- IPS LCD can't match AMOLED contrast or color
- No NFC for contactless payments
- Depth sensor barely useful as ultrawide replacement
- Snapdragon 695 shows its limits in demanding apps
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | OnePlus Nord N30 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 209 g |
| Material | Plastic back and frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 76.0 x 8.3 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 108 MP, f/1.75 | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 1080p@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 50W SuperVOOC wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.72 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | IPS LCD | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 680 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 | 5.3 |
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This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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