OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Cubot C30: A Detailed Performance and Value Showdown

The smartphone market is flooded with options, particularly in the budget and mid-range segments. We're pitting the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, a popular contender offering 5G connectivity and fast charging, against the Cubot C30, a more affordable device aiming to deliver essential features. This comparison will dissect their core components to determine which phone provides the best experience for your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the vast majority of users, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, delivers significantly better performance and future-proofing than the Cubot C30’s aging Helio P60. The 33W charging is a substantial advantage, offsetting the slightly smaller battery.

PHONES
Phone Names Cubot C30 OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands-1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2020. Released 20202022, April 28
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2022, April 30
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions157.1 x 76.4 x 8.5 mm (6.19 x 3.01 x 0.33 in)164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Resolution1080 x 2310 pixels (~398 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 101.4 cm2 (~84.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCDIPS LCD, 120Hz
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetMediatek MT6771 Helio P60 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G72 MP3Adreno 619
OSAndroid 10Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flashLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad48 MP, (wide), 1/2.0", AF 16 MP, (ultrawide) 5 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR
Single32 MP16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackUnspecifiedYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth4.2, A2DP5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/nWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging-33W wired
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, GreenBlack Dusk, Blue Tide
Models-CPH2381, CPH2409
Price-About 220 EUR
SAR-1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)

Cubot C30

  • Significantly lower price point.
  • Potentially larger battery capacity (unconfirmed).
  • May offer expandable storage via microSD card (typical for Cubot).

  • Outdated Helio P60 chipset offers limited performance.
  • Likely slower charging speeds.
  • Inferior camera system.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Faster and more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset.
  • 33W fast charging for quick top-ups.
  • Likely superior camera performance.
  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds.

  • Higher price compared to the Cubot C30.
  • May lack expandable storage.
  • Potentially smaller battery capacity (unconfirmed).

Display Comparison

Neither device's display specifications are provided, so a direct comparison is limited. However, given the market positioning, the Cubot C30 likely utilizes an LCD panel, while the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is expected to feature an AMOLED display. AMOLED technology generally offers superior contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s likely higher resolution and potentially higher refresh rate (based on OnePlus’s typical offerings) would further enhance the visual experience.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, we can only infer. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is likely to feature a more sophisticated camera system, potentially with a larger main sensor and optical image stabilization (OIS). While the Cubot C30 may offer a higher megapixel count on paper, sensor size and image processing algorithms are far more critical for image quality. The Snapdragon 695’s image signal processor (ISP) is also more advanced, enabling better noise reduction, dynamic range, and overall image clarity. The prevalence of 2MP macro lenses on budget phones like the Cubot C30 often results in underwhelming image quality; the OnePlus is likely to prioritize a more versatile and capable main camera.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Cubot C30’s MediaTek Helio P60 (12nm). The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 translates to significantly improved power efficiency and thermal management, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 cores (2x2.2 GHz Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Silver) also boast a more modern architecture and higher clock speeds than the Helio P60’s Cortex-A73/A53 configuration. This results in faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and a more responsive user experience on the OnePlus device. Gamers will particularly benefit from the Snapdragon 695’s superior GPU performance.

Battery Life

Battery capacity isn’t specified for either device. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G’s 33W wired charging is a major advantage. This allows for significantly faster charging times compared to the Cubot C30, which likely supports a much slower charging rate. Even if the Cubot C30 has a slightly larger battery capacity, the convenience and time savings of 33W charging on the OnePlus device are substantial. The Snapdragon 695’s superior power efficiency also contributes to potentially longer real-world battery life.

Buying Guide

Buy the Cubot C30 if your primary need is a very low-cost smartphone for basic tasks like calls, texts, and light social media use, and you prioritize absolute affordability above all else. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you want a phone capable of handling modern apps, streaming video smoothly, enjoying 5G connectivity, and benefiting from faster charging – a worthwhile investment for a more responsive and future-proof experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G powerful enough for demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile at medium to high settings with stable frame rates. While it won't deliver the same performance as flagship chipsets, it provides a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for most users. The Helio P60 in the Cubot C30 will struggle with consistent performance in demanding titles.
❓ Does the Cubot C30 support VoLTE and VoWiFi for improved call quality?
Support for VoLTE and VoWiFi varies by region and carrier for the Cubot C30. It's crucial to check compatibility with your specific provider before purchasing. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G generally offers broader carrier support for these features, ensuring a more reliable calling experience.
❓ How much faster is the charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G compared to the Cubot C30?
The 33W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G can fully charge the phone in approximately 70-80 minutes, depending on battery size. The Cubot C30, likely supporting 10W or 15W charging, will take upwards of 3-4 hours for a full charge. This difference is significant for users who need to quickly top up their battery.