OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite vs Nothing Phone (2a) Plus: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite and Nothing Phone (2a) Plus represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The Nord CE4 Lite prioritizes rapid charging and affordability, while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus aims for a more premium experience with a brighter display and a more powerful chipset. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications of each device to determine which one best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing performance and display quality, the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus is the better choice. Its Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset and significantly brighter 1097 nit display offer a smoother and more enjoyable experience, despite slightly slower charging speeds than the Nord CE4 Lite.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Nothing Phone (2a) Plus
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 661, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 66
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2024, June 242024, July 31
StatusAvailable. Released 2024, July 02Available. Released 2024, August 03
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions162.9 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm (6.41 x 2.98 x 0.32 in)161.7 x 76.3 x 8.5 mm (6.37 x 3.00 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight191 g (6.74 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~87.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 107.5 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeAMOLED, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 2100 nits (peak)AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 2160Hz PWM, HDR10+, 700 nits (typ), 1100 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x3.0 GHz Cortex-A715 & 6x 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G610 MC4
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 15, OxygenOS 15Android 14, up to 3 major Android upgrades, Nothing OS 3.0
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)No
Internal256GB 8GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, 25mm (wide), 1/1.95", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS Auxiliary lens50 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.57", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS 50 MP, f/2.2, 114˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm
FeaturesDual-LED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, panorama, HDR
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps, 1080p@60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesPanoramaHDR
Single16 MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide)50 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/2.76"
Video1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS4K@30fps
Sound
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes, 360˚
PositioningGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging80W wired, 100% in 50 min 5W reverse wired50W wired, 50% in 21 min, 100% in 56 min
Type5110 mAh5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsSuper Silver, Mega BlueBlack, Grey
ModelsCPH2619, CPH262A142P
PriceAbout 130 EUR€ 269.90 / ₹ 22,599

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite

  • Extremely fast 80W charging
  • More affordable price point
  • Decent performance for everyday tasks

  • Less powerful chipset compared to the (2a) Plus
  • Likely lower display brightness and quality
  • Potentially more thermal throttling under load

Nothing Phone (2a) Plus

  • Significantly brighter and higher-quality display
  • More powerful and efficient Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset
  • Longer battery life (16:34h active use)

  • Slower charging speed (56 minutes to 100%)
  • Higher price compared to the Nord CE4 Lite
  • Design may not appeal to all users

Display Comparison

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus boasts a significant advantage in display technology, achieving a measured peak brightness of 1097 nits. This is substantially higher than what we’d expect from the Nord CE4 Lite, making the (2a) Plus far more usable in direct sunlight. While the Nord CE4 Lite’s panel specifics aren’t provided, the (2a) Plus’s brightness translates to a more vivid and clear viewing experience. The (2a) Plus likely utilizes a higher-quality panel, contributing to better color accuracy and viewing angles, though this requires further testing. The lack of LTPO on either device means refresh rate is likely fixed, impacting power efficiency during static content viewing.

Camera Comparison

Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the chipset difference suggests the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus will have a more capable image signal processor (ISP), leading to better image processing and potentially superior low-light performance. The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset, but the Dimensity 7350 Pro’s ISP is likely more advanced. We can assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup, but the (2a) Plus’s processing power will likely allow for more sophisticated features like better HDR and more detailed image stabilization. Ignoring the likely inclusion of low-resolution macro lenses on both devices, the main sensor and its associated processing will be the key differentiator.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite uses the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), while the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus features the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro (4nm). The Dimensity 7350 Pro, with its Cortex-A715 cores clocked at 3.0 GHz, offers a substantial performance uplift over the Snapdragon 695’s Kryo 660 Gold cores at 2.2 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Dimensity 7350 Pro also contributes to improved thermal efficiency, meaning less throttling during sustained workloads like gaming. While both phones likely feature similar RAM configurations, the faster processor in the (2a) Plus will result in snappier app launches and smoother multitasking.

Battery Life

The Nothing Phone (2a) Plus demonstrates impressive battery life, achieving an active use score of 16:34 hours. While the Nord CE4 Lite’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the (2a) Plus’s endurance highlights the efficiency of the Dimensity 7350 Pro chipset. The Nord CE4 Lite compensates with its 80W wired charging, reaching 100% in just 50 minutes, significantly faster than the (2a) Plus’s 56-minute full charge. However, the (2a) Plus reaches 50% in 21 minutes, which is still respectable. The faster charging of the Nord CE4 Lite is beneficial for users who prioritize quick top-ups, but the (2a) Plus’s longer overall battery life may be preferable for those who want to minimize charging frequency.

Buying Guide

Buy the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite if you absolutely need the fastest possible charging – its 80W wired charging is a standout feature. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves with low battery and need a quick top-up. Buy the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus if you prioritize a brighter, more vibrant display, smoother performance for demanding apps, and a more modern design aesthetic. This is the better option for media consumption, gaming, and users who want a phone that feels more premium.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus get hot during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 7350 Pro is built on a 4nm process, which generally results in better thermal efficiency compared to the 6nm Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE4 Lite. While some heat generation is inevitable during gaming, the (2a) Plus is less likely to experience significant throttling, allowing for more sustained performance. However, prolonged, demanding gaming will still lead to some temperature increase.
❓ How much faster is the 80W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite compared to the 50W charging on the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus in real-world use?
The Nord CE4 Lite’s 80W charging is significantly faster, reaching 100% in 50 minutes versus the (2a) Plus’s 56 minutes. However, the (2a) Plus still gets to 50% in 21 minutes, which is a useful quick boost. The difference is most noticeable when charging from very low percentages, making the Nord CE4 Lite ideal for users who frequently need a rapid charge.
❓ Is the difference in chipset performance between the Snapdragon 695 and Dimensity 7350 Pro noticeable for everyday tasks like browsing and social media?
While both chipsets are capable of handling everyday tasks, the Dimensity 7350 Pro in the Nothing Phone (2a) Plus provides a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience. App launches are faster, multitasking is more fluid, and animations are generally more consistent. The difference is subtle for basic usage, but becomes more apparent with heavier apps and multitasking.