The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Honor Play7T Pro and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are two strong contenders vying for your attention. While both offer 5G connectivity and a modern feature set, they diverge significantly in their core hardware. This comparison dissects those differences, focusing on performance, charging speed, and overall value to determine which device delivers the best experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing fast charging and a slightly more refined software experience, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the winner. Its 67W charging capability significantly reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695 offers a generally smoother experience. However, the Honor Play7T Pro remains a compelling option for those seeking a balance of performance and affordability.
| 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, March 28 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 06 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 74.5 x 7.4 mm (6.41 x 2.93 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 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 175 g (6.17 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6020 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Magic UI 6.1 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| 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 | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | 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 (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Dark Green, Silver | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | DIO-AN00 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 200 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) |
Honor Play7T Pro
- Potentially better multi-core CPU performance with Dimensity 6020
- More power-efficient chipset (7nm process)
- Competitive price point
- Slower 40W charging
- Less established brand reputation
- Potentially less refined software experience
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Significantly faster 67W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 (6nm process)
- Established brand and software support
- Slightly less powerful CPU in multi-core tasks
- Potentially higher price
- May require more frequent charging if heavily used
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this price bracket. While specific details like peak brightness and color gamut coverage are unavailable, the focus here is on core performance. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a prioritization of battery life over visual fluidity. Bezels are expected to be moderate, typical for the segment.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. Both devices likely feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses (potentially including macro and depth sensors). The image processing algorithms will heavily influence the final image quality. OnePlus generally leans towards more saturated and contrast-rich images, while Honor often aims for a more natural look. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests that low-light performance will be a challenge.
Performance
The core of the difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) benefits from a more modern fabrication process than the Honor Play7T Pro’s MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm). This 6nm process generally translates to improved power efficiency and potentially better sustained performance under load. While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon utilizes Kryo 660 Gold cores, known for their efficiency, while the Dimensity 6020 employs Cortex-A76 cores. The Snapdragon 695 also has a slightly more capable Adreno 619 GPU, suggesting a small edge in gaming performance. The Honor Play7T Pro's Dimensity 6020, however, may offer a slight advantage in multi-core CPU tasks.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W wired charging is a game-changer. The advertised 80% charge in 30 minutes significantly reduces downtime compared to the Honor Play7T Pro’s 40W charging. While the battery capacity of both devices is unknown, the faster charging speed of the OnePlus effectively mitigates any potential capacity disadvantage. The Dimensity 6020’s 7nm process *could* offer slightly better battery life during moderate usage, but the convenience of rapid charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite is a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
Buy the Honor Play7T Pro if you prioritize raw CPU performance for everyday tasks and appreciate a potentially longer-lasting battery due to the more efficient Dimensity 6020 chipset. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value incredibly fast charging, a more established brand reputation, and a smoother overall user experience, even if it means slightly less peak CPU power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite handle demanding games like PUBG Mobile smoothly?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to stick to medium graphics settings for a consistently smooth experience. The Adreno 619 GPU is adequate for this price range, but don't expect flagship-level performance. The Honor Play7T Pro's Dimensity 6020 may offer similar gaming performance, but thermal throttling could become a factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compared to the 40W charging on the Honor Play7T Pro in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite will dramatically reduce charging times. While the Honor Play7T Pro's 40W is respectable, the OnePlus can go from near-empty to 80% in just 30 minutes. This is a significant convenience factor for users who frequently find themselves with low battery levels. Expect a full charge on the Nord CE 3 Lite to take around 45-60 minutes, while the Play7T Pro will likely take over 90 minutes.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
This information is not provided in the context data. However, it's common for phones in this price range to offer microSD card support. Checking the official specifications on the manufacturer's website is recommended to confirm.
