Meizu 18x vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Clash of Mid-Range Titans

The smartphone market is brimming with options, and choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Today, we're pitting two contenders against each other: the Meizu 18x and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. Both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. Let's dive in to see which one comes out on top.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Meizu 18x boasts a significantly more powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset, offering superior performance. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite shines with its blazing-fast 67W charging. Ultimately, the 18x is the performance champion, while the Nord CE 3 Lite prioritizes charging speed and potentially a lower price.

PHONES
Phone Names Meizu 18x 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, 12, 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 bands1, 3, 41, 77, 78, 79 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
Announced2021, September 22. Released 2021, September 222023, April 04
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.1 x 76.4 x 8 mm (6.5 x 3.01 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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 500 nits (typ), 700 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 650Adreno 619
OSAndroid 11, Flyme 9.2Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.0, (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
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-CUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 а/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-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
Charging30W wired, PD3.0, QC4, 70% in 30 min, 100% in 60 min67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4300 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsLight Blue, White, GrayPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
Models-CPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 340 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)

Meizu 18x

  • Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
  • Potentially Better Camera System
  • Sleek Design (Meizu typically)
  • Likely Higher Refresh Rate Display

  • Slower Charging (30W)
  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Meizu's Software Support Can Be Inconsistent

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Blazing-Fast Charging (67W)
  • More Budget-Friendly
  • OnePlus's OxygenOS (Generally Good Software)
  • Reliable Brand Reputation

  • Lower Performance (Snapdragon 695)
  • Potentially Less Refined Camera
  • May Lack Premium Features

Display Comparison

Both phones likely feature AMOLED displays, though the Meizu 18x may have a slightly higher refresh rate (potentially 120Hz vs. 120Hz on the Nord CE 3 Lite). Screen size is likely similar, around 6.4-6.6 inches. Color accuracy and brightness will be key differentiators to look for in reviews.

Camera Comparison

Camera specs are not fully provided. However, based on typical configurations, the Meizu 18x likely has a more sophisticated camera system with potentially larger sensors and better image processing capabilities. The Nord CE 3 Lite may compensate with software optimizations. Expect both to offer decent image quality in good lighting conditions.

Performance

This is where the Meizu 18x truly shines. The Snapdragon 870 is a flagship-level chipset, significantly outperforming the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 3 Lite. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Meizu 18x. The 18x's CPU configuration (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) offers a more balanced approach to performance.

Battery Life

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite takes a clear lead in this category. Its 67W charging is incredibly fast, allowing for a full charge in under an hour. The Meizu 18x's 30W charging is respectable, but not as impressive. Battery capacity is likely similar, around 4500-5000 mAh for both devices.

Buying Guide

The Meizu 18x is ideal for users who prioritize performance and a smooth user experience, especially for gaming or demanding apps. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a great choice for those who value fast charging and a more budget-friendly price point, and don't need top-tier processing power.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Meizu 18x worth the extra cost for the better performance?
If you're a gamer or frequently use demanding apps, the Meizu 18x's Snapdragon 870 is a worthwhile investment. However, if you primarily use your phone for basic tasks, the Nord CE 3 Lite's faster charging might be more beneficial.
❓ How does the software experience compare between Meizu's Flyme OS and OnePlus's OxygenOS?
OxygenOS is generally considered more polished and user-friendly, with consistent updates. Flyme OS can be more visually distinct but has a history of inconsistent software support and occasional bugs. This is a key consideration.