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

Choosing between the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and the Nord 2T can be tricky. Both offer compelling features at competitive prices, but cater to slightly different needs. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which OnePlus phone is the perfect fit for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 2T generally edges out the CE 3 Lite thanks to its superior performance (Dimensity 1300), brighter display, and faster 80W charging. However, the CE 3 Lite offers a more modern chipset and potentially a slightly better camera experience for some users, making it a strong contender for budget-conscious buyers.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite OnePlus Nord 2T
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1800 / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 3, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 78 SA/NSA
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, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India-
Launch
Announced2023, April 042022, May 19
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 11Available. Released 2022, May 21
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame
Dimensions165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)159.1 x 73.2 x 8.2 mm (6.26 x 2.88 x 0.32 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight195 g (6.88 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla GlassCorning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density)
Size6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)6.43 inches, 99.8 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 1300 (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G77 MC9
OSAndroid 13, OxygenOS 13.1Android 12, upgradable to Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/480fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaAuto HDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.8", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesNo
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-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
Charging67W wired, 80% in 30 min80W wired, PD
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPastel Lime, Chromatic GrayGray Shadow, Jade Fog
ModelsCPH2467, CPH2465CPH2399, CPH2401
Price£ 169.98 / € 209.99€ 144.39 / $ 169.99 / ₹ 31,490
SAR1.17 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: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 490545 (v8) | 604467 (v9) GeekBench: 2790 (v5.1) GFXBench: 40fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Modern Snapdragon 695 5G chipset
  • Fast 67W charging
  • Sleek and lightweight design
  • Likely improved computational photography

  • Lower performance compared to Nord 2T
  • Unconfirmed display brightness
  • Potentially shorter battery life

OnePlus Nord 2T

  • Superior Dimensity 1300 chipset performance
  • Brighter display (636 nits)
  • Faster 80W charging
  • Excellent battery life (100h endurance rating)
  • Stronger image processing

  • Older chipset generation
  • Design may feel dated compared to CE 3 Lite

Display Comparison

The Nord 2T boasts a measured peak brightness of 636 nits, offering significantly better visibility in direct sunlight compared to the CE 3 Lite (brightness data unavailable, assumed lower). The Nord 2T's 'infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) suggests excellent image depth, though real-world performance may vary. The CE 3 Lite likely features a standard 120Hz refresh rate, matching the Nord 2T, for smooth scrolling.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature capable camera systems, but the Nord 2T likely holds a slight edge in overall image quality, particularly in low-light conditions. The CE 3 Lite may offer improved computational photography features. Specific camera specs (megapixels, aperture) are needed for a more precise comparison, but the Nord 2T's image processing is generally considered stronger.

Performance

The Nord 2T's Mediatek Dimensity 1300 chipset provides a noticeable performance advantage over the CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G. The Dimensity 1300's Cortex-A78 cores offer superior processing power for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing. While the CE 3 Lite's 6nm process is efficient, it doesn't compensate for the chipset's overall lower performance.

Battery Life

The Nord 2T's endurance rating of 100 hours is impressive, suggesting excellent battery life. The CE 3 Lite's battery capacity is likely similar, but the less efficient chipset could result in slightly shorter real-world usage. The Nord 2T's 80W charging is significantly faster than the CE 3 Lite's 67W, allowing for quicker top-ups.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing a modern 5G chipset, fast charging, and a more streamlined design on a tighter budget. The OnePlus Nord 2T is a better choice for those who value raw performance, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and significantly faster charging speeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The OnePlus Nord 2T is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 1300 chipset.
❓ Is the Nord CE 3 Lite worth the upgrade from an older OnePlus phone?
If you're coming from a significantly older OnePlus phone, the CE 3 Lite offers a modern 5G chipset and faster charging. However, if you already have a Nord series phone, the upgrade might not be substantial.