Infinix Hot 20 vs. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Deep Dive into Budget Smartphone Performance

The sub-$250 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Infinix Hot 20 aims to deliver essential features at an incredibly low price point, while the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite attempts to bridge the gap between affordability and a more premium experience with 5G connectivity and faster charging. This comparison dissects their core components to determine which device offers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing 5G connectivity and significantly faster charging, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the clear winner. Its Snapdragon 695 chipset, coupled with 67W SuperVOOC charging, provides a smoother, more future-proof experience despite the slightly higher price.

PHONES
Phone Names Infinix Hot 20 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, 20, 28A, 28, 38, 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, 38, 40, 411, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, October 132023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, October 13Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions170.7 x 77.4 x 8.3 mm (6.72 x 3.05 x 0.33 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
Weight198 g (6.98 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1640 pixels (~263 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.82 inches, 110.5 cm2 (~83.6% 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 (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769Z Helio G85 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, XOS 12Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.6, (wide), PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesQuad-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesDual-LED flashHDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (except 128/4 option)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPSGPS, 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 wired 5W reverse wired67W wired, 80% in 30 min
Type5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSonic Black, Legend White, Tempo Blue, Fantasy PurplePastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
ModelsX6826, X6826B, X6826CCPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 190 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)

Infinix Hot 20

  • Significantly lower price point
  • Acceptable performance for basic tasks
  • Reverse wired charging capability

  • Older, less efficient chipset
  • Slow 18W charging
  • No 5G connectivity

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • 5G connectivity for faster data speeds
  • Ultra-fast 67W SuperVOOC charging
  • More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset

  • Higher price compared to the Infinix Hot 20
  • May still exhibit some throttling under sustained load
  • No reverse wireless charging

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific panel details (like peak brightness or color gamut coverage) are absent, the focus here is on the underlying processors. Display quality will likely be similar, leaning towards functional rather than immersive. Bezels are expected to be comparable given the price bracket, and both will likely utilize LCD panels.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specs beyond the main sensors, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite likely benefits from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), which generally delivers better image processing and noise reduction. The absence of OIS on either device suggests a reliance on software stabilization. The Infinix Hot 20’s camera system will likely focus on providing acceptable results in good lighting conditions, while the Nord CE 3 Lite may offer slightly better low-light performance and more refined image quality.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) offers a significant architectural advantage over the Infinix Hot 20’s MediaTek Helio G85 (12nm). The 6nm process node translates to improved power efficiency and reduced thermal throttling, meaning the Nord CE 3 Lite will sustain peak performance for longer periods. The Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores, clocked at 2.2 GHz, also outperform the Helio G85’s Cortex-A75 cores at 2.0 GHz. This difference will be most noticeable in demanding applications and games. While both are octa-core CPUs, the Snapdragon’s architecture is more modern and efficient.

Battery Life

The Infinix Hot 20 features 18W wired charging, while the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a remarkable 67W SuperVOOC charging capability. This is a game-changer. The Nord CE 3 Lite can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, a massive advantage for users who need a quick power boost. While the Infinix Hot 20 will provide all-day battery life for light users, the Nord CE 3 Lite’s faster charging mitigates any potential concerns about battery drain from 5G usage or more demanding apps.

Buying Guide

Buy the Infinix Hot 20 if you need a functional smartphone for basic tasks – calls, messaging, and light social media – and are on an extremely tight budget. Its Helio G85 is sufficient for these workloads. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you prioritize 5G access for faster data speeds, demand significantly quicker charging times, and anticipate more demanding app usage or occasional gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 695 isn't a flagship chip, its 6nm process and Qualcomm's thermal management features help mitigate overheating. You may experience some throttling after extended gaming, but it's unlikely to be severe. The Infinix Hot 20's Helio G85 is more prone to throttling due to its larger 12nm process.
❓ Is the 5G connectivity on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite actually useful if I don't have 5G coverage in my area?
Even without immediate 5G access, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is future-proofed for when 5G networks expand. The Snapdragon 695 also supports advanced 4G LTE features, potentially offering slightly improved 4G performance compared to the Infinix Hot 20.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compared to the 18W charging on the Infinix Hot 20?
The difference is substantial. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite can charge from 0-80% in approximately 30 minutes, while the Infinix Hot 20 will take well over two hours to fully charge. This makes the Nord CE 3 Lite ideal for users who frequently need to top up their battery quickly.