The Honor 400 Lite and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 smartphone market. While both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and essential features, they diverge significantly in their core approaches to performance and power management. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid replenishment, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the winner. Its 67W charging, capable of reaching 80% in just 30 minutes, significantly outweighs the Honor 400 Lite’s 35W charging. However, the Honor 400 Lite’s superior battery endurance and potentially more powerful CPU make it a strong contender for power users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2025, April 03 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, April 08 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 161 x 74.6 x 7.3 mm (6.34 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 171 g (6.03 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Mohs level 4 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~89.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, 3840Hz PWM, 3500 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | IMG BXM-8-256 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, MagicOS 9 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", PDAF
5 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, compass, proximity (ultrasonic) | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 35W wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5230 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Marrs Green, Velvet Black, Velvet Grey | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | ABR-NX1, ABR-N31C1 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | € 199.90 / $ 308.03 / £ 169.00 | £ 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) |
| EU LABEL |
|---|
| Battery | 48:56h endurance, 1400 cycles | - |
| Energy | Class B | - |
| Free fall | Class B (180 falls) | - |
| Repairability | Class B | - |
Honor 400 Lite
- Exceptional battery endurance (48:56h)
- Potentially more powerful CPU (Dimensity 7025 Ultra)
- Longer CPU lifespan (1400 cycles)
- Slower charging speed (35W)
- Limited camera information
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Ultra-fast 67W charging (80% in 30 min)
- Qualcomm’s optimized software ecosystem
- Generally smooth user experience
- Potentially less powerful CPU (Snapdragon 695)
- Likely shorter battery endurance
Display Comparison
Display specifications are not provided, so we must infer. Both devices likely feature LCD panels given their price point. The key differentiator will be brightness and color accuracy. Honor typically focuses on color science, potentially offering a more vibrant display. However, without specific nit ratings, it's difficult to definitively state which offers a superior viewing experience. Bezels are likely comparable, reflecting cost-saving measures in this segment.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are absent beyond the presence of cameras. Given the price bracket, both phones likely feature a primary sensor around 50MP. The Honor 400 Lite may benefit from Mediatek’s image signal processor (ISP) optimizations, potentially delivering better dynamic range and low-light performance. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite may leverage Qualcomm’s ISP for similar improvements. Without knowing sensor sizes or aperture values, it’s impossible to declare a clear winner. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on either device is largely a marketing tactic and offers limited practical benefit.
Performance
The Honor 400 Lite’s Mediatek Dimensity 7025 Ultra (6nm) and its octa-core configuration (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) suggest a performance edge over the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) with its (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver). The Cortex-A78 cores in the Dimensity chip are generally more efficient and powerful than the Kryo 660 Gold cores. This translates to faster app loading times and smoother multitasking for the Honor. However, real-world performance will depend on RAM optimization and software efficiency. Both utilize a 6nm process, indicating similar thermal efficiency, but the Honor’s CPU architecture suggests it can sustain peak performance for longer.
Battery Life
The Honor 400 Lite boasts impressive battery endurance, rated at 48:56h. This suggests a larger battery capacity and/or more efficient power management. While the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite doesn’t have endurance data, its 67W charging capability is a significant advantage. Reaching 80% charge in just 30 minutes is considerably faster than the Honor’s 35W charging. This difference in charging speed is crucial for users who frequently need to top up their phones quickly. The Honor prioritizes longevity, while the OnePlus prioritizes convenience.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor 400 Lite if you prioritize long-lasting battery life and sustained performance during demanding tasks, valuing endurance over quick top-ups. Its Dimensity 7025 Ultra chipset and reported 48:56h endurance are ideal for users who frequently travel or rely heavily on their phones throughout the day. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you prefer the convenience of incredibly fast charging and a generally smooth user experience for everyday tasks. The 67W charging is a game-changer for those who dislike being tethered to a wall outlet.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Dimensity 7025 Ultra in the Honor 400 Lite prone to overheating during extended gaming sessions?
While the 6nm process helps with thermal efficiency, sustained gaming will inevitably generate heat. The Dimensity 7025 Ultra’s architecture is generally efficient, but performance throttling may occur after prolonged use. The Honor 400 Lite’s larger battery may also contribute to heat dissipation, but real-world testing is needed to confirm.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compare to other fast charging standards?
67W is significantly faster than typical 33W or 25W charging found in this price range. While not as fast as some flagship phones with 80W or 120W charging, it’s a substantial improvement, allowing you to add hours of usage with just a short charging session. The 80% in 30 minutes claim is a realistic expectation.
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite struggle with demanding apps or multitasking?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and streaming. However, it may exhibit some lag when running multiple demanding apps simultaneously or playing graphically intensive games. It’s best suited for users who prioritize efficiency and convenience over raw performance.
