OnePlus Nord CE 5G vs. Nord CE 3 Lite: A Deep Dive into OnePlus' Mid-Range Lineup
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the better buy. Its significantly faster 67W charging, achieving 80% charge in just 30 minutes, and more efficient 6nm Snapdragon 695 chipset offer a more modern experience, despite a slight performance trade-off. The Nord CE 5G remains viable for those prioritizing endurance and potentially finding it at a deeply discounted price.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | OnePlus Nord CE 5G | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite |
| 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 - International |
| 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, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 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 - International |
| 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 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2021, June 10 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2021, June 11 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| 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) | 165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~410 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.43 inches, 99.3 cm2 (~84.9% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | Fluid AMOLED, 90Hz | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| 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 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.1 | UFS 2.2 | |
| 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 | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.5, (wide), 1/3.0", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| 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 |
| 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 | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 4500 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | EB2101, EB2103 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 250 EUR | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 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) | AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- Exceptional battery endurance (117h)
- Potentially lower price point due to age
- Proven Snapdragon 750G performance
- Slower 30W charging
- Older chipset architecture
- Limited display information
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster 67W charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 (6nm)
- Modern CPU architecture (Kryo 660)
- Potentially slightly lower battery endurance
- May be more expensive than the CE 5G
- Camera details are limited
Display Comparison
Both devices lack detailed display specifications beyond the Nord CE 5G’s measured 607 nits of peak brightness. While the CE 3 Lite doesn’t have a published brightness figure, the newer generation typically sees incremental improvements. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio claim on the CE 5G is standard for OLED/AMOLED panels, and neither phone is expected to feature high refresh rate technology. Users prioritizing outdoor visibility may lean towards the CE 5G if the measured brightness translates to a real-world advantage.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are limited to 'Photo / Video' for both devices. However, given the CE 3 Lite’s positioning as a newer model, it likely benefits from improved image processing algorithms. The absence of specific sensor details makes a direct comparison difficult, but the CE 3 Lite’s marketing often emphasizes camera improvements. Users seeking advanced photography features should investigate independent camera comparisons, as both phones likely rely on software optimization to deliver image quality.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Nord CE 5G utilizes the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G (8nm), while the CE 3 Lite features the SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm). The 6nm process of the 695 offers improved power efficiency, potentially leading to better real-world battery life despite the 750G’s slightly higher clock speeds (2.2GHz vs 2.2GHz Kryo 660 Gold). The CPU architecture also differs, with the CE 3 Lite employing Kryo 660 Gold and Silver cores, a newer generation than the CE 5G’s Kryo 570. This translates to a more modern CPU design, even if raw benchmark scores aren’t dramatically different. Gamers will find both capable of handling most titles, but the CE 3 Lite’s efficiency may result in less thermal throttling during extended sessions.
Battery Life
The Nord CE 5G boasts an impressive 117-hour endurance rating, suggesting excellent battery life. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite compensates with significantly faster charging. While specific battery capacity isn’t provided for either device, the CE 3 Lite’s 67W wired charging, achieving 80% in 30 minutes, is a substantial upgrade over the CE 5G’s 30W charging (70% in 30 minutes). This means less downtime and a more convenient charging experience for the CE 3 Lite, even if its overall endurance is slightly lower.
Buying Guide
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if you prioritize maximum battery endurance and are seeking the lowest possible price. Its 117-hour endurance rating is a standout feature. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value faster charging speeds, a more modern chipset architecture, and a generally more responsive user experience, even if it means slightly less battery life.