OnePlus Ace Racing vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially when faced with similar options from the same brand. The OnePlus Ace Racing and Nord CE 3 Lite both offer compelling features, but cater to different needs and budgets. Let's break down the key differences to help you decide which one deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Ace Racing is the clear performance winner thanks to its significantly more powerful Dimensity 8100 Max chipset. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers a more budget-friendly option with a decent camera and respectable battery life. Choose the Ace Racing for speed, or the Nord CE 3 Lite for value.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Ace Racing 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 28, 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, 5, 8, 28, 41, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 CDMA2000 1x 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, May 172023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 31Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.3 x 75.8 x 8.7 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.34 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
Weight205 g (7.23 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~83.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 (HBM)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.85 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 8100 Max (5 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G610 MC6Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, ColorOS 12.1Android 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
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm-
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 25mm (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 15mm, 119˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro)108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging67W wired, 80% in 29 min67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, BluePastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
ModelsPGZ110CPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 280 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)

OnePlus Ace Racing

  • Superior Performance
  • Faster Charging (marginally)
  • Likely Higher Refresh Rate Display
  • Premium Build Quality (likely)

  • Higher Price
  • Camera may not be as versatile
  • Potentially less RAM/Storage options at lower price points

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • More Affordable
  • Versatile Camera System (likely)
  • Good Battery Life
  • Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks

  • Slower Performance
  • Less Powerful Chipset
  • Lower Quality Display (potentially)
  • May feel less premium

Display Comparison

The Ace Racing typically features a higher refresh rate display (likely 120Hz) compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite (likely 120Hz or 90Hz). Both phones likely have similar display sizes (around 6.5-6.7 inches) and resolutions (FHD+). The Ace Racing might offer slightly better color accuracy and brightness.

Camera Comparison

The Nord CE 3 Lite is expected to have a more versatile camera system, potentially including a higher resolution main sensor (likely 108MP) and a dedicated macro lens. The Ace Racing's camera is likely good, but not its primary strength. Image processing and low-light performance will be key differentiators.

Performance

This is where the Ace Racing truly shines. The Dimensity 8100 Max is a significantly more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother gaming performance, and better overall responsiveness on the Ace Racing. The Nord CE 3 Lite is still capable for everyday tasks, but will struggle with demanding games.

Battery Life

Both phones offer 67W fast charging, promising quick top-ups. Battery capacity is likely similar (around 5000mAh), suggesting comparable battery life in real-world usage. Charging speeds are essentially identical.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Ace Racing is ideal for gamers, power users, and anyone who prioritizes performance and smooth multitasking. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers, students, or those who need a reliable everyday phone with a good camera and long battery life.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus Ace Racing worth the extra money?
If you prioritize performance and gaming, the Ace Racing's superior chipset makes it worth the investment. If you're on a tighter budget and primarily need a reliable everyday phone, the Nord CE 3 Lite is a great value.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both phones have similar battery capacities and charging speeds, so real-world battery life should be comparable. Usage patterns will be the biggest factor.