The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 are two strong contenders. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one reigns supreme? This comprehensive comparison will break down every aspect to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts significantly faster charging and a more powerful chipset. However, the Redmi Note 12 excels in battery life and potentially display quality. Ultimately, the Nord CE 3 Lite is better for performance-focused users, while the Redmi Note 12 caters to those prioritizing longevity and a smooth experience.
| 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, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 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 | 2022, October 27 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, April 11 | Available. Released 2023, January 11 |
| 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) | 165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 195 g (6.88 oz) | 188 g (6.63 oz) |
| | - | IP53, dust and splash resistant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) | AMOLED, 120Hz, 1200 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM4375 Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 | Android 12, MIUI 14 (International), MIUI 13 (India) |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens | 48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm | 13 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0" |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes |
| | - | 24-bit/192kHz audio |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE |
| Infrared port | - | Yes |
| NFC | Yes (market/region dependent) | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS |
| 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, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min | 33W wired, 50% in 22 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray | Frosted Green, Matte Black, Mystique Blue |
| Models | CPH2467, CPH2465 | 22111317I, 22111317G |
| Price | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 | € 151.99 / $ 219.99 / ₹ 11,999 |
| SAR | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.05 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.68 W/kg (head) 0.91 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life | - |
Endurance rating 101h
|
| Camera | - |
Photo / Video |
| Display | - |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) |
| Loudspeaker | - |
-28.0 LUFS (Good)
|
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 360745 (v9)
GeekBench: 1998 (v5.1), 2017 (v6) |
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster Processor (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- 67W Fast Charging
- Potentially better image processing
- 5G Connectivity
- Likely shorter battery life than Redmi Note 12
- Display brightness not specified
- Camera details lacking
Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
- Exceptional Battery Life (101h endurance)
- Potentially brighter display (706 nits)
- Smooth user experience
- Good value for money
- Less powerful processor (Snapdragon 4 Gen 1)
- Slower charging (33W)
- Camera performance potentially slightly behind OnePlus
Display Comparison
The Redmi Note 12 boasts a measured peak brightness of 706 nits, suggesting a potentially brighter and more visible display, especially outdoors. Its 'infinite' contrast ratio (though nominal) hints at good image quality. The Nord CE 3 Lite's display is likely good, but lacks specific brightness figures in the provided specs. We'd expect the Redmi Note 12 to have a slight edge here.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are described as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but specific details are missing. Generally, OnePlus tends to offer slightly better image processing, but Xiaomi has improved significantly in recent years. Real-world testing would be needed to determine a clear winner. Expect both to be capable for everyday photography.
Performance
The Snapdragon 695 5G in the Nord CE 3 Lite is noticeably more powerful than the Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 in the Redmi Note 12. This translates to faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance. The Kryo 660 cores offer a performance advantage.
Battery Life
The Redmi Note 12 shines in this category. Its endurance rating of 101 hours is exceptional, and active use lasting 10 hours and 58 minutes is impressive. The Nord CE 3 Lite's battery life is likely good, but not in the same league as the Redmi Note 12. The Redmi Note 12's battery is a major selling point.
Buying Guide
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for users who prioritize performance, fast charging, and a smoother gaming experience. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 is a great choice for those who value exceptional battery life, a potentially brighter display, and a more balanced overall experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the better choice for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
❓ Which phone has the better battery life?
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 offers significantly better battery life, with an impressive endurance rating of 101 hours.
❓ Is the Redmi Note 12's 'infinite' contrast ratio a real benefit?
While 'infinite' is a nominal term, it suggests a high contrast ratio, which can contribute to better image quality and deeper blacks.
❓ Which phone offers faster charging?
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite supports 67W fast charging, significantly faster than the Redmi Note 12's 33W charging.
