Doogee N50 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders

The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Doogee N50 and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a modern smartphone experience without breaking the bank. However, they take drastically different approaches to achieving this, with the Doogee relying on a Unisoc chipset and the OnePlus leveraging Qualcomm's Snapdragon series. This comparison will dissect their key differences to help you choose the right device.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the superior choice. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, built on a more efficient 6nm process, provides a noticeable performance advantage and supports 5G connectivity. Crucially, the 67W SuperVOOC charging dramatically reduces downtime, a significant benefit over the Doogee N50’s 18W charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Doogee N50 OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
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 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 19, 20, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 411, 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
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2023, April 252023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, MayAvailable. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.8 x 76.2 x 9.1 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.36 in)165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight-195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.52 inches, 102.6 cm2 (~81.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 390 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x1.6 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.6 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetUnisoc T606 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G57 MP1Adreno 619
OSAndroid 13Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro)-
FeaturesTriple-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
VideoYes1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radioNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging18W wired67W wired, 80% in 30 min
Type4200 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsFairy pink, Electric blue, Granite blackPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
Models-CPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 180 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)

Doogee N50

  • Potentially lower price point
  • May offer a more rugged build (Doogee's brand focus)
  • Acceptable for basic smartphone tasks

  • Significantly slower performance
  • Slow 18W charging
  • Less efficient Unisoc chipset

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • Ultra-fast 67W SuperVOOC charging
  • More efficient 6nm process

  • Likely a slightly higher price
  • LCD display (not OLED)
  • Software updates may be less frequent than flagship OnePlus models

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a flagship-level display. While specific display specs (resolution, panel type) are missing for the Doogee N50, its price point suggests an LCD panel. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite also utilizes an LCD. The key differentiator here isn't display quality, but the underlying processing power impacting UI smoothness. The Snapdragon 695’s superior GPU will contribute to a more fluid experience when scrolling and navigating the interface, even if both displays share similar characteristics.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications for the Doogee N50, a direct comparison is limited. However, budget phones often prioritize megapixel count over sensor size and image processing. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which offers improved noise reduction and dynamic range. While both phones likely include a standard array of lenses, the Snapdragon’s ISP will likely deliver more consistent and pleasing results, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. We can assume both will have a primary sensor, and likely a depth or macro sensor of limited utility.

Performance

The performance gap is the most significant difference. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) is a substantial upgrade over the Doogee N50’s Unisoc T606 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to better power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning sustained performance is higher on the OnePlus. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, offer a clear advantage over the Unisoc’s Cortex-A75 cores at 1.6 GHz. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications and multitasking.

Battery Life

The Doogee N50’s 18W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W SuperVOOC charging. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the charging speed difference is dramatic. The OnePlus can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, while the Doogee will take considerably longer. This faster charging is a game-changer for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day. The more efficient Snapdragon 695 will also contribute to better overall battery life on the OnePlus.

Buying Guide

Buy the Doogee N50 if you prioritize a potentially lower price point and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. You'll need to be patient with charging times and accept a less responsive experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value faster performance, 5G connectivity, and significantly quicker charging. It’s ideal for users who enjoy occasional gaming, streaming, and want a more future-proof device.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Unisoc T606 in the Doogee N50 struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Unisoc T606 is a budget chipset and will likely struggle to deliver a smooth gaming experience in demanding titles like PUBG Mobile, even on low settings. Expect noticeable frame drops and potential lag. The Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite offers a significantly better gaming experience.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to fully charge the Doogee N50 with the 18W charger?
While the Doogee N50 supports 18W charging, a full 0-100% charge will likely take over 2.5 to 3 hours. This is a significant drawback compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W charging, which can reach 80% in just 30 minutes.
❓ Does the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite support carrier aggregation for faster 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 695 generally supports carrier aggregation, which allows the phone to combine multiple 5G channels for faster download and upload speeds. However, specific carrier aggregation support depends on the carrier and region. Check with your mobile provider for compatibility details.
❓ Is the Doogee N50 a good choice for someone who primarily uses their phone for calls and texts?
Yes, the Doogee N50 is a viable option for basic use cases like calls and texts. Its Unisoc T606 chipset is sufficient for these tasks, and the lower price point may be appealing. However, if you anticipate using your phone for anything more demanding, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a better investment.