The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 and Motorola Edge 40 Neo represent compelling options for users seeking premium features without the flagship price tag. This comparison dissects their key differences, focusing on performance, battery life, and display quality to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For users prioritizing rapid charging and potentially higher peak performance in short bursts, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 is the better choice. However, the Motorola Edge 40 Neo excels in battery endurance, offering over 10 hours of active use, making it ideal for power users and those frequently away from a charger.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | LTE | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | SA/NSA | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE-A (CA), 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | Not announced yet | 2023, September 14 |
| Status | Rumored | Available. Released 2023, September 14 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | - | 159.6 x 72 x 7.9 mm (6.28 x 2.83 x 0.31 in) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | · Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | - | 170 g or 172 g (6.00 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~393 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~402 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.4 cm2 | 6.55 inches, 103.6 cm2 (~90.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | - | P-OLED, 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.5 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7030 (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G610 MC3 |
| OS | Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 13, up to 2 major Android upgrades |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM |
| | UFS 2.2 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.55", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
13 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm, PDAF |
| Features | HDR | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.4, 27mm (wide), 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide)
2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | - |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | - | 32 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/3.0", 0.7µm |
| Video | - | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | - |
| 35mm jack | - | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired | 68W wired, 50% in 15 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black; other colors | Black, Soothing Sea, Caneel Bay, Peach Fuzz |
| Models | - | XT2307-1 |
| Price | - | $ 299.00 / € 168.73 / ₹ 19,900 |
OnePlus Nord CE 3
- 80W SuperVOOC charging for incredibly fast top-ups.
- Potentially higher single-core performance with the Snapdragon 782G.
- Unusual CPU configuration may benefit burst workloads.
- Battery life is unknown and potentially lower than the Edge 40 Neo.
- Display brightness is likely inferior to the Edge 40 Neo.
Motorola Edge 40 Neo
- Excellent battery life with over 10 hours of active use.
- Bright 1073 nit display for outdoor visibility.
- Balanced Dimensity 7030 chipset for sustained performance.
- Slower charging speed compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 3.
- Potentially lower peak performance in short bursts.
Display Comparison
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1073 nits, crucial for comfortable outdoor viewing. While the Nord CE 3’s display specs are not provided, the Edge 40 Neo’s brightness advantage is substantial. The Edge 40 Neo’s panel likely benefits from a more efficient backlight, contributing to its overall battery life. Without knowing the Nord CE 3’s panel technology (e.g., AMOLED, LCD) or refresh rate, it’s difficult to assess color accuracy and smoothness, but the Edge 40 Neo’s brightness is a clear win.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera analysis is hampered by limited information. Both phones likely feature multi-camera systems, but the context data only mentions 'Photo / Video' for the Edge 40 Neo. Sensor size and aperture are critical factors; larger sensors capture more light, improving low-light performance. Without these specs, it’s impossible to definitively assess camera quality. The presence of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) on either device would be a significant advantage for video recording and reducing blur in low-light photos. We can assume both phones will offer standard features like HDR and portrait modes, but image processing algorithms will ultimately determine the final image quality.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G, built on a 6nm process, featuring a prime Cortex-A78 core clocked at 2.7 GHz. The Motorola Edge 40 Neo counters with the MediaTek Dimensity 7030, also 6nm, but with a slightly lower clocked Cortex-A78 core at 2.5 GHz. While the Snapdragon 782G’s higher clock speed suggests potential for faster single-core performance, the Dimensity 7030’s octa-core configuration (2x A78 + 6x A55) may offer better multi-core efficiency. The Nord CE 3’s CPU configuration (1x A78 + 3x A78 + 4x A55) is unusual, potentially indicating a focus on burst performance. Real-world performance will depend on software optimization and thermal management.
Battery Life
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo demonstrably leads in battery endurance, achieving 10 hours and 28 minutes of active use and an endurance rating of 80 hours. The OnePlus Nord CE 3’s battery capacity is unknown, but its 80W wired charging is a key differentiator, promising significantly faster recharge times. The Edge 40 Neo’s 68W charging, while still fast, takes 15 minutes to reach 50% charge. The Nord CE 3’s 80W charging likely offers a full charge in under 30 minutes, a substantial convenience factor. The Edge 40 Neo’s superior battery life is a clear advantage for users who prioritize longevity over charging speed.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 if you need the fastest possible charging speeds and value a chipset known for strong single-core performance, beneficial for everyday tasks and less demanding games. Buy the Motorola Edge 40 Neo if you prioritize all-day battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and a more balanced chipset optimized for sustained performance and efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 in the Edge 40 Neo suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7030 is a 6nm chipset designed for efficiency. While throttling can occur on any phone under sustained load, the Dimensity 7030’s architecture and Motorola’s thermal management should mitigate excessive heat buildup, providing a reasonably consistent gaming experience. However, the Snapdragon 782G in the Nord CE 3 may offer slightly higher peak performance before throttling kicks in.
❓ How does the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 compare to other phones with similar wattage?
OnePlus’s SuperVOOC charging is known for its efficiency and speed. While other phones may advertise 80W charging, OnePlus’s implementation often delivers faster real-world charging times due to optimized power delivery and battery management. Expect a full charge from 0-100% in under 30 minutes, potentially even faster depending on battery capacity.
❓ Is the difference in CPU core configuration (1x A78 + 3x A78 + 4x A55 vs 2x A78 + 6x A55) on the Nord CE 3 noticeable in everyday use?
The Nord CE 3’s unusual CPU configuration is likely geared towards providing quick bursts of performance for tasks like app launching and scrolling. The additional A78 cores may not translate to a significant improvement in all scenarios, but could offer a slight edge in responsiveness compared to the Edge 40 Neo’s more conventional setup.
