Lava Agni 3 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Detailed Comparison of Mid-Range Contenders

The Lava Agni 3 and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite represent compelling options in the increasingly competitive sub-$300 smartphone market. The Agni 3 aims to disrupt with a newer, more powerful Mediatek Dimensity 7300X chipset, while the Nord CE 3 Lite leverages OnePlus’s established brand recognition and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695. This comparison dives deep into the key differences to determine which device offers the best overall package.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For users prioritizing raw performance and faster charging, the Lava Agni 3 emerges as the winner. Its Dimensity 7300X chipset provides a noticeable advantage in processing power, making it better suited for demanding tasks and gaming. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite remains a solid choice for those valuing brand reliability and a slightly more efficient chipset.

PHONES
Phone Names Lava Agni 3 OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 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 bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2024, October 042023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, October 09Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.7 x 75.5 x 8.8 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.35 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
Weight212 g (7.48 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1200 x 2652 pixels (~429 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.78 inches, 111.4 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 7300X (4 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G615 MC2Adreno 619
OSAndroid 14, up to 3 major Android upgradesAndroid 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
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple50 MP, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, (telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, 3x optical zoom 8 MP, 112˚ (ultrawide)108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -Yes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.4, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, QZSS, BDS, NavICGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging66W wired, 50% in 19 min67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsHeather Glass, Pristine GlassPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
Models-CPH2467, CPH2465
Price₹ 16,999£ 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)

Lava Agni 3

  • More powerful Dimensity 7300X chipset
  • Faster 66W charging (50% in 19 min)
  • Potentially better image processing

  • Lava is a less established brand
  • Battery capacity unknown

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Well-known OnePlus brand
  • Efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • 67W charging (80% in 30 min)

  • Less powerful chipset compared to Agni 3
  • Slower charging speed than Agni 3

Display Comparison

Neither device boasts a standout display. While specific display specs (resolution, refresh rate) are missing, the focus here is on the underlying chipsets. Display quality will likely be similar, leaning towards adequate for the price point. Bezels are expected to be comparable, typical of this segment. Color accuracy will likely be tuned for vibrancy rather than absolute precision.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is limited. However, the chipset’s image signal processor (ISP) plays a crucial role. The Dimensity 7300X likely has a more advanced ISP, potentially leading to better image processing, noise reduction, and dynamic range. The absence of information on sensor sizes and OIS makes it difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the Agni 3’s superior processing power gives it an edge. We can assume both phones will include standard features like portrait mode and night mode, but the quality of these features will likely differ.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Lava Agni 3’s Mediatek Dimensity 7300X, built on a 4nm process, offers a significant architectural advantage over the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm). The Dimensity 7300X features a more modern CPU configuration – four Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5 GHz versus the Nord’s Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. This translates to faster application loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance. The 4nm node also implies better thermal efficiency, potentially reducing throttling during sustained workloads. While the Snapdragon 695 is known for its 5G connectivity, the Dimensity 7300X is likely to outperform it in CPU-intensive tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones feature 67W wired charging, but the implementation differs. The Lava Agni 3 claims 50% charge in 19 minutes, while the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite takes 30 minutes to reach 80%. This suggests the Agni 3’s charging is faster overall. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the Dimensity 7300X’s improved efficiency could offset a potentially smaller battery size, resulting in comparable real-world battery life. The faster charging speed of the Agni 3 is a significant advantage for users who frequently need to top up their phone quickly.

Buying Guide

Buy the Lava Agni 3 if you need a phone that can handle demanding apps, enjoys extended gaming sessions, and values the fastest possible charging speeds. It’s ideal for power users and those seeking maximum performance on a budget. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you prefer a well-established brand with a focus on efficient power management and a generally smooth user experience, even if it means sacrificing some peak performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Dimensity 7300X in the Lava Agni 3 overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7300X's 4nm process is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some throttling is inevitable during extended gaming, it's likely to be less pronounced than with the 6nm Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 3 Lite, offering a more consistent gaming experience.
❓ Is the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite truly fast, considering the Agni 3 charges even quicker?
67W is fast, but the Lava Agni 3's 66W implementation is demonstrably quicker, reaching 50% charge in just 19 minutes compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite's 30 minutes to 80%. This difference is significant for users who prioritize rapid charging.
❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite support carrier aggregation for improved 5G speeds?
The Snapdragon 695 does support carrier aggregation, which can improve 5G speeds in areas with good network coverage. However, the actual speeds will depend on your carrier and location. The Agni 3's 5G capabilities are not specified, but the Dimensity 7300X also supports 5G connectivity.