The recently released OnePlus Nord has some stiff competition. One of the most popular mid-rangers at the moment is Apple’s iPhone SE, which comes in at £40 more than the OnePlus device in the UK and €100 more across Europe. Both are great phones in their own right, but there are some big differences between the two budget handsets — including the cameras.
Which takes better photos: the OnePlus Nord or the iPhone SE? We decided to pit the two phones against each other in a quick OnePlus Nord vs iPhone SE camera shootout to find out. Be sure to cast your vote on the winner in the poll at the end of the article.
Our verdict: OnePlus Nord review
OnePlus Nord vs iPhone SE: Camera specs
It’s quality vs quantity with this comparison. The iPhone has just two cameras while the Nord has six in total. However, the iPhone comes with a more robust processor and a proven track record for excellent image processing. Can brains beat brawn? Let’s find out.
| OnePlus Nord | iPhone SE | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear cameras | 48MP, f/1.8, (IMX586) 8MP, f/2.3, 119-degree FOV 5MP, f/2.5 depth sensor 2MP, f/2.5, macro |
12MP, f/1.8 |
| Rear video | UHD 4K 30fps 1080p 60fps 1080p 240fps |
UHD 4K 60fps 1080p 240fps |
| Front cameras | 32MP, f/2.5 8MP, f/2.5, 105-degree FOV |
7MP, f/2.2 |
| front video | UHD 4K 60fps | 1080p 30fps |
The samples
I shot a mix of indoor and outdoor shots with both smartphones at the same time. The variety of lighting scenarios should help us find quality discrepancies and ultimately come up with a winner. Both devices were on their latest software versions as of writing and both were set to “photo” and “portrait” modes for the given tests.
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
In this first set of images, I shot out in my garden in bright light. Shooting upward at the telegraph pole demonstrates the sharpness capturing capabilities of both cameras. Shooting upward at the leaves gives us a good idea of the dynamic range capabilities from each camera. The iPhone SE tends to deliver more color and detail in the shadows.
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
The images of the back of my racing simulator are a test of low-light performance in “photo” mode. There was light coming in from the window and a ceiling light overhead, but the back of the seat was still in the shadows of my room. The Nord is applying more noise reduction resulting in a softer image. The photographs of the pink flowers were shot to demonstrate the color reproduction capabilities of each camera. The SE is capturing more true to life colors compared to the washed-out Nord’s image.
See also: The best budget camera phones you can buy
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
The first pair of images here are of a viaduct in the distance. These tests will help us evaluate how much detail that each camera captures. The Nord seems to capture more fine detail in the field compared to the SE. The second pair show a shaded tree in front of a fairly bright sky. This is a true test of dynamic range and color accuracy. The SE is displaying more detail in the darkest shadows while correctly exposing for bright highlights.
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
OnePlus Nord iPhone SE
These final images are with the selfie cameras and with the rear portrait mode respectively. The SE seems to do a better job of keeping my skin texture natural. However, the skin tones aren’t as accurate as with the Nord.
OnePlus Nord vs iPhone SE camera shootout: Vote for the winner!
Which camera experience do you prefer: the OnePlus Nord or the iPhone SE? Apple’s phone seems to come out on top in terms of quality, but there’s no denying the OnePlus Nord has a more versatile setup overall. As the iPhone SE only has a single camera, we couldn’t compare ultra-wide 0r macro shots — read more about the OnePlus Nord’s additional cameras in our review.
The winner is down to you! Cast your vote in the poll below and hit the comments to share your thoughts. If you want a deeper look at the OnePlus Nord vs iPhone SE, be sure to check out our full comparison where we look at other specs, features, pricing, and more.
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