OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs. Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Deep Dive into OnePlus's Budget 5G Lineup
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G remains the better choice. Its Snapdragon 750G, coupled with a measured 607 nits of display brightness, provides a smoother and more visually pleasing experience than the CE 2 Lite 5G, despite the latter’s faster 33W charging. The CE 2 Lite is only preferable for those prioritizing the absolute lowest price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | 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 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Europe |
| 5G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - Europe |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat18 1200/150 Mbps, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 78 SA/NSA - India | - | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 10 | 2022, April 28 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2022, April 30 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.2 x 73.5 x 7.9 mm (6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 in) | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 170 g (6.00 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.59 inches, 104.5 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, OxygenOS 13 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | - | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 8 MP, f/2.3, 119˚ (ultrawide) Auxiliary lens | 64 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 0.7µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | 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 Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 70% in 30 min | 33W wired |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray | Black Dusk, Blue Tide |
| Models | EB2101, EB2103 | CPH2381, CPH2409 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | About 220 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.19 W/kg (head) 0.71 W/kg (body) |
| Tests | ||
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | Endurance rating 117h | - |
| Camera | Photo / Video | - |
| Display | Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker | -29.9 LUFS (Average) | - |
| Performance | AnTuTu: 318672 (v8) | 391770 (v9) GeekBench: 1812 (v5.1) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) | - |
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Superior performance with Snapdragon 750G
- Brighter and more vibrant display (607 nits)
- Excellent battery endurance (117h)
- Slightly slower charging (30W)
- Older chipset compared to CE 2 Lite
OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G
- Faster charging (33W)
- Potentially better thermal efficiency (6nm process)
- Lower price point
- Less powerful Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Likely lower display quality
- Potentially shorter battery life
Display Comparison
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G boasts a measured peak brightness of 607 nits, a significant advantage over the unmeasured display of the CE 2 Lite 5G. While both displays are described as having an infinite contrast ratio (typical for OLED panels), the higher brightness of the CE 5G translates to better visibility outdoors and a more impactful HDR experience. The CE 2 Lite 5G’s display specifications are less detailed, suggesting a potential trade-off in panel quality to reduce costs.
Camera Comparison
Both phones are listed as having 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details. Without sensor size or aperture information, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the CE 2 Lite 5G’s cost-cutting approach, it’s reasonable to assume the camera system is less sophisticated than the CE 5G. The inclusion of a 2MP macro camera on the CE 2 Lite 5G is a common cost-saving measure, and these sensors rarely deliver usable results. Focusing on the primary sensor’s quality is crucial, and the CE 5G likely has an edge here.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nord CE 5G utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G (8nm), featuring an octa-core CPU with 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 570 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 570 cores. The CE 2 Lite 5G steps down to the Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). While the 6nm process *should* offer better efficiency, the Kryo 660 Gold cores (2x2.2 GHz) and Silver cores (6x1.7 GHz) in the 695 don’t necessarily translate to a performance leap. The 750G’s architecture is more mature and generally delivers a smoother experience in demanding applications. The 6nm process of the 695 may offer slightly improved thermal management, but the 750G’s overall processing power is likely superior.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 5G achieves an impressive endurance rating of 117 hours, indicating excellent battery life. While the CE 2 Lite 5G’s battery capacity is unlisted, it compensates with 33W wired charging, a step up from the CE 5G’s 30W. The CE 5G can reach 70% charge in 30 minutes, and the CE 2 Lite 5G likely achieves a similar or slightly faster charging speed. However, faster charging doesn’t negate the benefit of a larger battery and more efficient chipset, giving the CE 5G the edge in overall longevity.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you need a consistently responsive experience for everyday tasks and moderate gaming, and value a brighter, more usable display. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G if you prioritize minimizing upfront cost and are willing to accept potential performance compromises and a less vibrant screen. This phone is best suited for very light users.