The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for money. Two contenders vying for your attention are the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and the vivo iQOO Z7. Both promise impressive features without breaking the bank, but which one truly delivers?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z7 edges out the Nord CE 3 Lite thanks to its superior Dimensity 920 chipset, offering noticeably better performance. While the Nord CE 3 Lite boasts faster charging, the iQOO Z7's overall speed and efficiency make it the more compelling choice for most users.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 38, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 8, 28, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| 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 | 2023, April 04 | 2023, March 17 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 11 | Available. Released 2023, March 21 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | - |
| Dimensions | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in) | 158.9 x 73.5 x 7.8 mm (6.26 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 173 g (6.10 oz) |
| | - | IP54, dust and water resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Schott Xensation glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~413 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.38 inches, 98.3 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Mediatek Dimensity 920 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Mali-G68 MC4 |
| OS | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, Funtouch 14 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 64 MP, (wide), 1/1.97", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS
Auxiliary lens |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | - |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | No |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | Unspecified |
| 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min | 44W wired, 50% in 25 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray | Norway Blue, Pacific Night |
| Models | CPH2467, CPH2465 | I2207 |
| Price | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 | About 200 EUR |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) | 1.15 W/kg (head) 0.84 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster Charging (67W)
- Familiar OnePlus Software
- Potentially better detail in well-lit photos (108MP camera)
- Less Powerful Chipset
- Likely LCD Display
- Potentially less efficient performance
vivo iQOO Z7
- More Powerful Chipset (Dimensity 920)
- Likely AMOLED Display
- Better Gaming Performance
- Slower Charging (44W)
- vivo's Funtouch OS (subjective)
- Potentially less detail in well-lit photos (64MP camera)
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.67-inch FHD+ display, likely with a 120Hz refresh rate. However, panel technology (AMOLED vs LCD) is crucial. The iQOO Z7 is expected to have an AMOLED display, offering better contrast and vibrant colors compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite's likely LCD panel. Viewing angles and outdoor visibility will also differ.
Camera Comparison
The Nord CE 3 Lite is expected to have a 108MP main camera, potentially offering more detail in well-lit conditions. The iQOO Z7 likely features a 64MP main camera. Image processing and software optimization will be key differentiators. Low-light performance and video recording capabilities should be evaluated closely.
Performance
The iQOO Z7's Mediatek Dimensity 920 chipset is significantly more powerful than the Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 5G. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and better gaming performance on the iQOO Z7. The Dimensity 920's architecture and manufacturing process give it a clear advantage.
Battery Life
The Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W charging is a significant advantage, allowing for quicker top-ups. The iQOO Z7's 44W charging is still respectable, but slower. Both phones likely have a similar battery capacity (around 5000mAh), so battery life should be comparable under moderate usage.
Buying Guide
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for users prioritizing fast charging and a familiar OnePlus experience. The vivo iQOO Z7 is a better fit for those seeking a smoother, faster experience for gaming and everyday tasks, even if it means slightly slower charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo iQOO Z7 is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Dimensity 920 chipset.
❓ Does the Nord CE 3 Lite have a better camera?
On paper, the Nord CE 3 Lite has a higher megapixel count (108MP), but image quality depends on software and sensor size. Real-world testing is needed to determine the true winner.
