OnePlus Nord N20 SE vs Nord CE 3 Lite: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing a new smartphone can be overwhelming, especially with so many options in the budget-friendly range. The OnePlus Nord N20 SE and Nord CE 3 Lite are both contenders, offering a blend of features and affordability. But which one reigns supreme?
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, 67W fast charging, and more modern 6nm process. While the N20 SE offers decent value, the CE 3 Lite's performance and charging speed make it the better overall choice.

PHONES
Phone Names OnePlus Nord N20 SE OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 - GlobalHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41 - Global1, 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, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 26, 28, 38, 41, 66 - LATAM1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, August 052023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, August 08Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions163.8 x 75 x 8 mm (6.45 x 2.95 x 0.31 in)165.5 x 76 x 8.3 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~84.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeIPS LCD, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (4x2.3 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A53)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek MT6765G Helio G35 (12 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUPowerVR GE8320Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, OxygenOS 12.1Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXCmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1UFS 2.2
Main Camera
Dual50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF Auxiliary lens-
FeaturesLED flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker Yes, with dual speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCNoYes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, 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-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging33W wired, 50% in 34 min, 100% in 69 min67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlue Oasis, Celestial BlackPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
ModelsCPH2469CPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 190 EUR£ 169.98 / € 209.99
SAR-1.17 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
Tests
Performance- AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

OnePlus Nord N20 SE

  • Larger Display
  • Decent Battery Life
  • Affordable Price

  • Outdated Chipset
  • Slow Charging
  • Lower Performance

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Faster Performance (Snapdragon 695 5G)
  • 67W Fast Charging
  • Modern 6nm Process

  • Slightly Smaller Battery
  • LCD Display (no OLED)

Display Comparison

The Nord N20 SE boasts a larger 6.72-inch display, likely offering a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption. The Nord CE 3 Lite has a 6.72-inch display as well, but with a potentially higher refresh rate (likely 120Hz vs N20 SE's 60Hz), resulting in smoother scrolling and animations. Both feature LCD panels, so don't expect OLED-level color accuracy or contrast.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a triple-camera setup. The Nord CE 3 Lite likely has a more capable main sensor and image processing thanks to its newer chipset. Expect better low-light performance and more detailed photos from the CE 3 Lite. Both likely offer similar ultrawide and macro lenses.

Performance

Here's where the CE 3 Lite shines. The Snapdragon 695 5G is a substantial upgrade over the Helio G35 in the N20 SE. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the CE 3 Lite. The N20 SE's chipset is adequate for basic tasks but will struggle with demanding applications.

Battery Life

The N20 SE has a slightly larger battery capacity. However, the CE 3 Lite's 67W fast charging blows the N20 SE's 33W charging out of the water. The CE 3 Lite will charge significantly faster, offsetting the slight battery capacity difference.

Buying Guide

The OnePlus Nord N20 SE is a good option for users prioritizing a large display and extended battery life on a tight budget. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for those who value performance, faster charging, and a more modern chipset, even if it means a slightly smaller battery.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G compatible?
Yes, the Nord CE 3 Lite supports 5G connectivity thanks to its Snapdragon 695 5G chipset.
❓ How long does it take to fully charge the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite?
With its 67W fast charging, the Nord CE 3 Lite can reach 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes.