OnePlus Nord 2 5G vs Nord CE 3 Lite: Which Mid-Range OnePlus is Right for You?
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing raw performance and sustained gaming, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G remains the superior choice, thanks to its Dimensity 1200 chipset. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers a compelling alternative with its faster 67W charging and more modern design, making it ideal for everyday users who value convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord 2 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - EU | 1, 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA - EU | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, July 22 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, July 28 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.1 x 73.3 x 8.3 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.33 in) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 189 g (6.67 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G77 MC9 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Dual-LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.3, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | Auto HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 32 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, SBAS, NavIC | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired, PD, 100% in 30 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray Sierra, Blue Haze, Green Wood, Pac-Man Edition | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | DN2101, DN2103 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | € 189.00 / $ 219.99 / £ 148.00 | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 102h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -24.3 LUFS (Very good) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 512164 (v8) | 598022 (v9) GeekBench: 2792 (v5.1) GFXBench: 38fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
OnePlus Nord 2 5G
- More powerful Dimensity 1200 chipset
- Excellent 102-hour battery endurance
- Potentially superior image processing
- Slightly slower charging (100% in 30 min vs 80%)
- Older generation design
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster 67W charging (80% in 30 min)
- Potentially more affordable price
- Modern design aesthetic
- Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Battery endurance likely lower than Nord 2 5G
Display Comparison
The Nord 2 5G features a display capable of reaching 633 nits of peak brightness, ensuring good visibility even outdoors. While the Nord CE 3 Lite’s display specs aren’t provided, OnePlus typically prioritizes color accuracy in this range. The Nord 2 5G’s infinite (nominal) contrast ratio suggests a strong OLED panel, offering deep blacks and vibrant colors. The lack of LTPO technology on either device means refresh rate scaling isn’t present, potentially impacting battery life during dynamic content viewing. The Nord 2 5G’s brightness advantage will be noticeable in direct sunlight.
Camera Comparison
Both devices are listed as having photo and video capabilities, but specific details are scarce. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the Nord 2 5G’s older generation likely benefits from more refined image processing algorithms developed over time. The CE 3 Lite may offer newer features, but the Dimensity 1200’s ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the Nord 2 5G is likely more capable. The absence of details on OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device suggests reliance on electronic image stabilization, which can introduce artifacts in video recording.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nord 2 5G’s Mediatek Dimensity 1200 (6nm) is a significantly more powerful processor than the Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The Dimensity 1200’s octa-core configuration – with a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 3.0 GHz – delivers superior CPU performance, crucial for multitasking and demanding apps. The Snapdragon 695, with its Kryo 660 Gold cores peaking at 2.2 GHz, is geared towards efficiency. This translates to better sustained performance in the Nord 2 5G, particularly during extended gaming sessions. While both are 6nm chips, the Dimensity 1200’s architecture provides a clear performance edge.
Battery Life
The Nord 2 5G boasts an endurance rating of 102 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the Nord CE 3 Lite’s battery capacity is unknown, it compensates with 67W wired charging, achieving 80% charge in 30 minutes. The Nord 2 5G’s 65W charging reaches 100% in the same timeframe. The CE 3 Lite’s faster initial charging speed is a convenience, but the Nord 2 5G’s higher endurance rating suggests it will last longer on a single charge, especially for power users. The 6nm process node on both contributes to reasonable power efficiency.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord 2 5G if you need a phone capable of handling demanding games and applications, and if you value a more powerful processor for future-proofing. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you prioritize fast charging, a sleek design, and a smooth experience for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and streaming, all at a potentially lower price point.