OnePlus Nord 2T vs Nord CE 3 Lite: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially within the same brand. The OnePlus Nord 2T and Nord CE 3 Lite both offer compelling features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will break down their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 2T generally wins thanks to its superior chipset and camera capabilities. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers faster charging and a more budget-friendly price point, making it a strong contender for those prioritizing speed and affordability.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord 2T OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, May 192023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, May 21Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 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
Weight190 g (6.70 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-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)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G77 MC9Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm-
Triple50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesAuto HDRHDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavICGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB 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 (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, PD67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 4500 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGray Shadow, Jade FogPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
ModelsCPH2399, CPH2401CPH2467, CPH2465
Price€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490£ 169.98 / € 209.99
SAR-1.17 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 100h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -25.6 LUFS (Very good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Superior Performance (Dimensity 1300)
  • Brighter Display (636 nits)
  • Excellent Battery Life (100h Endurance)
  • Likely Better Camera Quality

  • Potentially Higher Price
  • Charging Speed Slower than CE 3 Lite

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Faster Charging (67W)
  • More Affordable
  • Large Display
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Lower Performance (Snapdragon 695)
  • Less Bright Display
  • Likely Inferior Camera

Display Comparison

The Nord 2T boasts a measured peak brightness of 636 nits, significantly brighter than the CE 3 Lite, offering better visibility in sunlight. Both feature similar display technology (likely AMOLED), but the Nord 2T's higher brightness provides a more vibrant and enjoyable viewing experience. The contrast ratio on the Nord 2T is listed as 'Infinite' (nominal), suggesting excellent blacks and contrast.

Camera Comparison

The Nord 2T is expected to have a superior camera system. While specific camera specs are missing, the Dimensity 1300 chipset generally supports better image processing. The CE 3 Lite's camera is likely adequate for casual photography, but won't match the Nord 2T's image quality, especially in low light.

Performance

The Nord 2T's Mediatek Dimensity 1300 offers a noticeable performance advantage over the Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the Nord 2T. While the CE 3 Lite is capable for everyday tasks, it may struggle with more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The Nord 2T's endurance rating of 100h is exceptionally high, suggesting excellent battery life. The Nord CE 3 Lite compensates with significantly faster 67W charging, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes. While the Nord 2T likely lasts longer on a single charge, the CE 3 Lite can be quickly topped up.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord 2T is ideal for users who prioritize performance, a better camera system, and a brighter display. The Nord CE 3 Lite is a great choice for budget-conscious buyers who value fast charging and a large display, and don't need top-tier performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nord 2T worth the extra money?
If performance and camera quality are your priorities, the Nord 2T is likely worth the investment. However, if you're on a tight budget and value fast charging, the CE 3 Lite is a compelling alternative.
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The OnePlus Nord 2T is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful chipset and potentially better thermal management.