Huawei nova 10 Youth vs. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: Which Budget Champion Reigns Supreme?

The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 10 Youth and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are two strong contenders. While both aim to deliver a compelling experience without breaking the bank, they take different approaches. The nova 10 Youth prioritizes efficient power management with the Snapdragon 680, while the Nord CE 3 Lite pushes for 5G connectivity and slightly enhanced performance with the Snapdragon 695. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and a slight performance edge, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the better choice. Its Snapdragon 695 offers a noticeable uplift in processing power, and the 5G modem future-proofs the device. However, the Huawei nova 10 Youth remains a strong contender for those prioritizing optimized battery life and fast charging.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei nova 10 Youth 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, 8, 18, 19, 26, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2023, March 042023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, March 04Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.6 x 75.6 x 7.9 mm (6.48 x 2.98 x 0.31 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
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 Splash and dust resistant-
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2388 pixels (~387 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~89.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 90HzIPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon 680G 4G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 610Adreno 619
OSHarmonyOS 2.0Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)-
Triple108 MP, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, (ultrawide) 2 MP, (macro) 2 MP, (depth)108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.2, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
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
Charging66W wired, 60% in 15 min, 100% in 35 min 5W reverse wired67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BluePastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
ModelsJLN-AL00CPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 230 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)

Huawei nova 10 Youth

  • Faster wired charging (66W)
  • Potentially better battery life due to efficient chipset
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Lacks 5G connectivity
  • Older chipset architecture

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • More modern chipset architecture (Snapdragon 695)
  • Slightly improved performance for multitasking

  • Potentially shorter battery life
  • Slightly slower charging to 100%

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate) are missing, the focus here is on processing power. The absence of high refresh rates on either device suggests a focus on power efficiency rather than visual fluidity.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses. The absence of information regarding sensor size and optical image stabilization (OIS) suggests neither phone will excel in low-light photography. Image processing will likely be the differentiating factor, with Huawei historically emphasizing vibrant colors and aggressive sharpening, while OnePlus tends towards a more natural look. The usefulness of any included 2MP macro or depth sensors is questionable in both cases.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Snapdragon 695 5G, built on a 6nm process, represents a step up from the Huawei nova 10 Youth’s Snapdragon 680G. The 695 features a Kryo 660 Gold/Silver core configuration clocked up to 2.2 GHz, compared to the 680’s 2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 cores. While the 680’s cores have a higher clock speed, the 695’s architecture is more modern and efficient, leading to better sustained performance and the crucial addition of 5G support. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and the ability to connect to next-generation networks for the Nord CE 3 Lite. The 6nm process node on both chips contributes to improved thermal efficiency, but the 695’s architectural advantages give it an edge.

Battery Life

Both devices offer impressive charging speeds – 66W for the nova 10 Youth and 67W for the Nord CE 3 Lite. The nova 10 Youth claims a 60% charge in 15 minutes and 100% in 35 minutes, while the Nord CE 3 Lite reaches 80% in 30 minutes. While the exact battery capacities are unknown, the slightly faster charging of the nova 10 Youth, combined with the Snapdragon 680’s efficiency, suggests it may offer slightly better overall battery life. However, the 5G connectivity of the Nord CE 3 Lite will inevitably consume more power.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei nova 10 Youth if you need a reliable daily driver with exceptionally fast charging and prioritize battery life over cutting-edge performance. It’s ideal for users who primarily browse, use social media, and make calls. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you prefer a phone with 5G connectivity for faster data speeds, a bit more processing power for smoother multitasking, and don't mind potentially slightly shorter battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the 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 lower the graphics settings to medium or low for a consistently smooth experience. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's a step up from the Snapdragon 680 in terms of GPU performance.
❓ Does the Huawei nova 10 Youth support VoLTE and VoWiFi on all carriers?
Huawei's support for VoLTE and VoWiFi can be carrier-dependent due to ongoing geopolitical factors. It's crucial to check compatibility with your specific carrier before purchasing to ensure full functionality of voice calls and Wi-Fi calling.
❓ How significant is the difference in charging speed between 66W and 67W?
The difference between 66W and 67W charging is minimal in real-world usage. Both are incredibly fast, and the slight advantage of the Nord CE 3 Lite is unlikely to be noticeable. The Huawei nova 10 Youth's claim of 100% charge in 35 minutes is still exceptionally quick.
❓ Is the lack of 5G on the Huawei nova 10 Youth a dealbreaker in 2024?
Whether the lack of 5G is a dealbreaker depends on your location and data usage habits. If 5G is widely available in your area and you frequently stream high-resolution video or download large files, the Nord CE 3 Lite's 5G connectivity will be a significant benefit. Otherwise, the 4G capabilities of the nova 10 Youth will likely suffice.