The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Blackview A90, known for its rugged design and affordability, and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, boasting impressive charging speeds and a familiar brand name. Let's dive in to see which phone comes out on top.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the clear winner. While the Blackview A90 offers a budget-friendly price, the Nord CE 3 Lite’s superior performance, 5G connectivity, significantly faster charging, and generally better camera system make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 40 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2021, May 04 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, May | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 166.3 x 77.6 x 8.8 mm (6.55 x 3.06 x 0.35 in) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 185 g (6.53 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1560 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.39 inches, 100.2 cm2 (~77.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G72 MP3 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 12 MP, f/1.8, (wide), AF
other unspecified cameras | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 4.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 10W wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 4280 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, Orange, Purple | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | - | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 150 EUR | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Blackview A90
- Very affordable
- Rugged design (likely)
- Decent battery life
- Outdated chipset
- Slow charging
- Lower quality camera
- 60Hz display
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Fast charging (67W)
- Good performance (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- Better camera
- 120Hz display
- 5G connectivity
- Can be slightly more expensive than A90
- Brand recognition may be less than other major brands
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite typically features a 6.72-inch 1080 x 2400 pixel display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother visual experience. The Blackview A90 likely has a smaller display (around 6.53 inches) with a standard 60Hz refresh rate, resulting in less fluid animations and scrolling. Color accuracy and brightness are also likely to be better on the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Camera Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite generally features a more versatile and higher-quality camera system, often including a 108MP main sensor. The Blackview A90's camera is likely adequate for basic photography but won't match the Nord CE 3 Lite's detail and dynamic range. The Nord CE 3 Lite also benefits from better image processing.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 5G in the Nord CE 3 Lite provides a significant performance advantage over the Helio P60 in the Blackview A90. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Nord CE 3 Lite. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
While both phones offer decent battery life, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W fast charging is a game-changer. It can charge from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes, a stark contrast to the Blackview A90's slow 10W charging. The Nord CE 3 Lite likely has a slightly larger battery capacity as well.
Buying Guide
The Blackview A90 is ideal for users prioritizing extreme durability and a very low price point, potentially those needing a rugged phone for outdoor work. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is perfect for those seeking a well-rounded experience with good performance, fast charging, and a reputable brand, all within a reasonable budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Blackview A90 waterproof?
While Blackview often emphasizes ruggedness, specific waterproofing ratings (like IP68) vary. Check the product specifications for the exact rating, if any.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite support 5G?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite supports 5G connectivity, offering faster download and upload speeds where available.
