OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Nord CE 2 5G: The Ultimate Showdown

The OnePlus Nord series continues to deliver affordable smartphones with a focus on value. But with multiple iterations, choosing the right Nord can be tricky. We're pitting the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G against the Nord CE 2 5G to help you decide which one deserves your money.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nord CE 2 5G takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster charging (65W vs 33W) and a generally more powerful chipset (Dimensity 900). While the CE 2 Lite 5G offers a slightly larger screen, the CE 2 5G's performance and charging speed make it the better overall choice.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, April 282022, February 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 30Available. Released 2022, February 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)173 g (6.10 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzAMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MC4
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 119˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro)
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS
RadioUnspecifiedUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired65W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack Dusk, Blue TideGray Mirror, Bahama Blue
ModelsCPH2381, CPH2409IV2201
PriceAbout 220 EUR£ 99.00 / € 182.18
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)-

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Larger Display
  • Affordable Price
  • Decent Performance for the Price
  • 5G Connectivity

  • Slower Charging
  • Less Powerful Chipset
  • Potentially Lower Color Accuracy

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

  • Faster Charging (65W)
  • More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 900)
  • Potentially Better Color Accuracy
  • Smoother Performance

  • Slightly Smaller Display
  • Higher Price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.43-inch display, but the CE 2 Lite 5G boasts a slightly larger screen. Both use AMOLED panels with a 90Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and vibrant colors. However, the CE 2 5G might have slightly better color accuracy due to its slightly higher price point and potentially better panel calibration.

Camera Comparison

Camera performance is generally comparable, with both phones offering a triple-camera setup. The CE 2 5G might have a slight edge in low-light conditions due to its more advanced image processing capabilities. Both phones capture decent photos and videos in good lighting conditions. Expect similar results in most everyday scenarios.

Performance

The Nord CE 2 5G's Dimensity 900 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the CE 2 Lite 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the CE 2 5G. The Kryo 660 cores in the CE 2 Lite 5G are decent, but the Dimensity 900's architecture is simply more efficient and powerful.

Battery Life

The Nord CE 2 5G's 65W fast charging is a game-changer. It can charge the battery from 0% to 100% in around 30-40 minutes. The CE 2 Lite 5G's 33W charging is slower, taking significantly longer to reach a full charge. Battery capacity is similar, but the charging speed difference is substantial.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a good option for budget-conscious users who prioritize a larger display and don't mind slower charging. The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is ideal for those who want a smoother experience, faster charging, and a more capable chipset, even if it means a slightly smaller screen.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G worth buying?
It's a decent budget option if you prioritize a larger screen and don't need the fastest charging or the most powerful performance. However, the Nord CE 2 5G offers a better overall experience.
❓ Which chipset is better: Snapdragon 695 5G or Dimensity 900?
The Dimensity 900 is significantly more powerful than the Snapdragon 695 5G, offering better performance in all areas.