OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G vs OnePlus 3: A Clash of Generations
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🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G offers significantly faster charging and a more modern chipset. However, the OnePlus 3 boasts impressive battery life and a surprisingly competitive performance for its age. The CE 2 5G is the clear winner for most users, but the 3 remains a compelling option for budget-conscious buyers.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G | OnePlus 3 |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 38, 40 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe | - |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (2CA) Cat6 300/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| 1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, February 17 | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, February 22 | Discontinued |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), aluminum back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) | 152.7 x 74.7 x 7.4 mm (6.01 x 2.94 x 0.29 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 173 g (6.10 oz) | 158 g (5.57 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 1920 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.5 inches, 83.4 cm2 (~73.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+ | Optic AMOLED |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G68 MC4 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 64GB 6GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, panorama, HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, 1/2.8", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) | - |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, Auto HDR |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | 8 MP, f/2.0, 1/3.2", 1.4µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | - |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, BDS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| 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, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 65W wired | 20W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Ion 3000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue | Graphite, soft gold |
| Models | IV2201 | A3003, A3000, SM-A3000 |
| Price | £ 99.00 / € 182.18 | About 400 EUR |
| SAR EU | - | 0.39 W/kg (head) 0.32 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Audio quality | - | Noise -93.4dB / Crosstalk -94.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 66h |
| Camera | - | Photo / Video |
| Display | - | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal), 4.424(sunlight) |
| Loudspeaker | - | Voice 62dB / Noise 71dB / Ring 77dB |
| Performance | - | Basemark OS II 2.0: 2365Basemark X: 32715 |
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
- Faster Charging (65W)
- More Powerful Processor (Dimensity 900)
- 5G Connectivity
- Larger Display
- Improved Camera
- Slightly Shorter Battery Life than OnePlus 3
- Larger Size
OnePlus 3
- Exceptional Battery Life (66h Endurance)
- Compact Size
- Good Value for Money (especially used)
- Excellent Display for its time
- Older Processor (Snapdragon 820)
- Slower Charging (20W)
- No 5G
- Older Software Support
Display Comparison
The OnePlus 3 features a 5.5-inch AMOLED display with a contrast ratio of Infinite (nominal) and 4.424 in sunlight, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Nord CE 2 5G has a 6.43-inch AMOLED display, offering a larger screen real estate. While both are AMOLED, the CE 2 5G's higher resolution (FHD+) provides slightly sharper visuals. The OnePlus 3's smaller size might be preferable for one-handed use.
Camera Comparison
Both phones offer Photo/Video capabilities, but the Nord CE 2 5G generally produces better image quality, especially in low-light conditions, thanks to its more modern sensor and image processing algorithms. The OnePlus 3's camera was still very good for its time, but the CE 2 5G's improvements are noticeable. The CE 2 5G also typically has more advanced features like Night Mode.
Performance
The Nord CE 2 5G's Mediatek Dimensity 900 chipset is considerably more powerful than the OnePlus 3's Snapdragon 820. This translates to smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better performance in demanding games. While the Snapdragon 820 was excellent in its time, it shows its age compared to the Dimensity 900's efficiency and processing power.
Battery Life
Surprisingly, the OnePlus 3 holds its own here. Despite having a smaller battery capacity, its endurance rating of 66 hours is remarkable. The Nord CE 2 5G's battery life is respectable, but not as exceptional as the OnePlus 3's. However, the CE 2 5G's 65W charging blows the OnePlus 3's 20W charging out of the water, allowing for incredibly fast top-ups.
Buying Guide
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging, 5G connectivity, and a more recent processor. The OnePlus 3 is a good choice for those on a tight budget who value long battery life and don't need the latest features.