OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G vs Samsung Galaxy M33: The Ultimate Showdown

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G and Samsung Galaxy M33 are two strong contenders vying for your attention. Both offer compelling features at accessible prices, but which one truly comes out on top? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy M33 edges out the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G thanks to its superior chipset, smoother performance, and slightly better camera capabilities. However, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G boasts faster charging, making it a strong choice for those prioritizing quick power-ups.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G Samsung Galaxy M33
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, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
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, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2022, April 282022, March 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 30Available. Released 2022, April 08
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in)165.4 x 76.9 x 9.4 mm (6.51 x 3.03 x 0.37 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)198 g (Global) / 215 g (India) (6.98 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density)1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density)
Size6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 104.9 cm2 (~82.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120HzTFT LCD, 120Hz
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)Exynos 1280 (5 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13Android 12, upgradable to Android 16, One UI 8
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, panorama, HDR
Quad-50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 5 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide) 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single-8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Triple64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR-
Single16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm8 MP, f/2.2, (wide)
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE
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, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro
 -Virtual Proximity Sensing
Battery
Charging33W wired25W wired 4.5W reverse wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:· Li-Ion 5000 mAh (Global)· Li-Ion 6000 mAh (India only)
Misc
ColorsBlack Dusk, Blue TideGreen, Blue, Brown
ModelsCPH2381, CPH2409SM-M336B, SM-M336B/DS, SM-M336BU, SM-M336BU/DS, SM-M336K
PriceAbout 220 EUR£ 299.00
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     0.71 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU-1.04 W/kg (head)     1.38 W/kg (body)

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G

  • Faster 33W Charging
  • Clean OnePlus Software
  • Competitive Price

  • 60Hz Display
  • Less Powerful Processor
  • Average Camera Performance

Samsung Galaxy M33

  • 120Hz Display
  • More Powerful Exynos 1280 Chipset
  • Versatile Camera System
  • Reverse Charging

  • Slower 25W Charging
  • Samsung's One UI (can be polarizing)
  • Slightly Higher Price

Display Comparison

Both phones feature large 6.59-inch FHD+ displays, but the Galaxy M33 utilizes a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a noticeably smoother scrolling and gaming experience compared to the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's standard 60Hz. The M33 also generally has slightly better color accuracy.

Camera Comparison

The Galaxy M33 features a versatile quad-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, offering more flexibility in shooting scenarios. While the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's 64MP main camera produces decent images, the M33 generally captures more detail and better dynamic range, especially in challenging lighting conditions. Both offer respectable selfie cameras.

Performance

The Samsung Galaxy M33's Exynos 1280 chipset (5nm) provides a significant performance advantage over the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). Expect snappier app loading, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the M33. The M33's Cortex-A78 cores are particularly beneficial for demanding tasks.

Battery Life

Both phones pack a 5000mAh battery, providing all-day battery life for moderate usage. However, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G's 33W fast charging significantly reduces charging times compared to the Galaxy M33's 25W charging. The M33's 4.5W reverse charging is a neat bonus for topping up accessories.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is ideal for users who prioritize fast charging and a streamlined OnePlus experience. The Samsung Galaxy M33 is a better fit for those seeking a more powerful processor, a vibrant display, and a versatile camera system, especially if reverse charging is a bonus.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy M33 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Exynos 1280 chipset and 120Hz display.
❓ Does the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G have a headphone jack?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G retains a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature missing on some modern smartphones.
❓ What software experience can I expect on each phone?
The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G offers a cleaner, more streamlined OxygenOS experience, while the Galaxy M33 runs Samsung's One UI, which is feature-rich but can be considered more cluttered by some users.