OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Nord CE 3 Lite: The Ultimate Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Nord CE 3 Lite is the clear winner thanks to its significantly faster 67W charging and likely camera improvements. While both share the same processor, the CE 3 Lite's charging speed alone makes it a compelling upgrade for most users seeking a speedy and reliable budget phone.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 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) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe | 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, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 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 | 2022, April 28 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, April 30 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 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 | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 33W wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black Dusk, Blue Tide | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | CPH2381, CPH2409 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 220 EUR | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) | 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 Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Affordable
- Reliable Snapdragon 695 5G processor
- 5G Connectivity
- Decent Battery Life
- Slower Charging (33W)
- Potentially less impressive camera
- Older Design
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Significantly Faster Charging (67W)
- Likely Improved Camera System (108MP)
- Modern Design
- Good Performance
- Slightly Higher Price
- Similar Processor to CE 2 Lite
Display Comparison
Both phones likely feature similar 6.5-inch FHD+ displays, potentially with a 90Hz refresh rate. However, the CE 3 Lite may have a slightly improved panel with better color accuracy or brightness. We'll need to confirm specific panel details for a definitive comparison.
Camera Comparison
While specs are similar on paper, the CE 3 Lite is expected to have a better camera system. The CE 2 Lite has a 50MP main camera, but the CE 3 Lite is rumored to have a 108MP main camera, potentially offering more detail and better low-light performance. The front-facing camera is also likely improved on the CE 3 Lite.
Performance
Interestingly, both devices share the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and CPU configuration. Performance should be very similar in everyday tasks and moderate gaming. However, software optimization could give one phone a slight edge.
Battery Life
This is where the biggest difference lies. The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G has a 33W charger, while the Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a significantly faster 67W charging. The CE 3 Lite can charge to 80% in just 30 minutes, a huge advantage over the CE 2 Lite.
Buying Guide
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a good choice for those on a tighter budget who prioritize a reliable processor and 5G connectivity. The Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for users who value fast charging, potentially improved camera performance, and a slightly more modern design, even if it comes at a slightly higher price.