OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs Nord CE 2 5G: A Detailed Comparison

The OnePlus Nord series continues to deliver affordable smartphones with a focus on value. The Nord CE 3 Lite and Nord CE 2 5G are two compelling options, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which phone best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Nord CE 3 Lite offers faster charging and a slightly improved chipset, while the Nord CE 2 5G boasts a more powerful CPU. Ultimately, the CE 3 Lite provides a better overall experience for most users due to its charging speed and modern processor, but the CE 2 5G remains a strong contender.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - InternationalHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 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, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International1, 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, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 3, 5, 8, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2023, April 042022, February 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, April 11Available. Released 2022, February 22
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back-
Dimensions165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 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
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 (~84.9% 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 (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 13, OxygenOS 13.1Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single-16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm
Triple108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, 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
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes
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, QZSS
RadioNoUnspecified
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 min65W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPastel Lime, Chromatic GrayGray Mirror, Bahama Blue
ModelsCPH2467, CPH2465IV2201
Price£ 169.98 / € 209.99£ 99.00 / € 182.18
SAR1.17 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 3 Lite

  • Faster 67W Charging
  • Modern Snapdragon 695 5G Chipset
  • Improved 108MP Main Camera
  • Sleek Design

  • Potentially less powerful CPU than CE 2 5G
  • LCD Display (likely)
  • Software updates may be slower

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G

  • Slightly more powerful CPU (Cortex-A78)
  • Good Value for Money
  • Decent Camera Performance

  • Slower 65W Charging
  • Older Dimensity 900 Chipset
  • Camera not as impressive as CE 3 Lite

Display Comparison

Both phones feature a 6.59-inch display, likely with an LCD panel and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Nord CE 3 Lite may have slightly improved color accuracy due to its newer chipset, but overall, display quality is comparable. Resolution is likely FHD+ on both.

Camera Comparison

The Nord CE 3 Lite is expected to have a 108MP main camera, a significant upgrade over the Nord CE 2 5G's 64MP sensor. While megapixels aren't everything, the CE 3 Lite should offer improved detail and low-light performance. Both phones likely feature similar ultrawide and macro lenses.

Performance

The Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G offers a more modern architecture and improved efficiency compared to the Nord CE 2 5G's Dimensity 900. While the CE 2 5G has a slightly faster CPU (Cortex-A78 vs Kryo 660 Gold), the 695's overall performance and efficiency are generally better. Gaming performance should be similar on both.

Battery Life

The Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W charging is a major advantage, allowing for significantly faster charging times compared to the Nord CE 2 5G's 65W. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), so battery life should be comparable between charges.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging, a modern chipset, and a smooth user experience. The Nord CE 2 5G is a good choice for those seeking a slightly more powerful CPU for demanding tasks and prefer a potentially better camera experience (though this is marginal).

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite worth the upgrade from the Nord CE 2 5G?
If fast charging and a more modern chipset are important to you, then yes. The CE 3 Lite offers noticeable improvements in these areas. However, if you're happy with your CE 2 5G and don't need those upgrades, it's not essential.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
While both phones are capable of playing most games, the Nord CE 2 5G's slightly more powerful CPU might offer a marginal advantage in demanding titles. However, the Snapdragon 695 5G in the CE 3 Lite is still quite capable.