The sub-$300 smartphone market is fiercely competitive. The Oppo A3x and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a solid feature set without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches – the A3x with MediaTek’s Dimensity 6300 and the Nord CE 3 Lite with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the stronger choice. Its 67W SuperVOOC charging significantly reduces downtime, reaching 80% in just 30 minutes, a clear advantage over the A3x’s 45W charging. While the Dimensity 6300 is a capable chip, the Snapdragon 695 provides a slightly more refined experience in sustained tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 | 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, 8, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, August 02 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, August 02 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.7 x 76 x 7.7 mm (6.52 x 2.99 x 0.30 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 | 187 g (6.60 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1604 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~264 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.67 inches, 107.2 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 1000 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Mediatek Dimensity 6300 (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 14, ColorOS 14 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS | 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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, PD2.0, 50% in 30 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 5100 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Sparkle Black, Starlight White, Starry Purple | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | CPH2681 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | ₹ 10,098 | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | 1.05 W/kg (head) 0.78 W/kg (body) | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Performance | - |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
Oppo A3x
- Potentially faster single-core performance with Cortex-A76 cores.
- Competitive 45W fast charging.
- Likely a more affordable price point.
- Slower charging compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite.
- Less established software ecosystem than OnePlus.
- Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Significantly faster 67W SuperVOOC charging.
- Qualcomm’s optimized software and potentially better thermal management.
- More established brand reputation and software support.
- Slightly lower peak CPU clock speeds.
- May be marginally more expensive than the Oppo A3x.
- Kryo 660 cores are older architecture than Cortex-A76
Display Comparison
Neither Oppo nor OnePlus provide display specs beyond resolution in their marketing materials. However, both likely utilize LCD panels given the price point. The real difference lies in the processing power needed to drive them. The Dimensity 6300’s integrated GPU may offer a slight edge in graphics rendering, but without knowing the refresh rates or color accuracy, it’s difficult to declare a clear winner. Bezels are expected to be similar on both devices, reflecting their budget positioning.
Camera Comparison
Detailed camera specs are absent from the provided data. Given the market segment, both phones likely feature a primary sensor paired with depth and macro lenses. The quality will heavily depend on the main sensor’s resolution and aperture. Without this information, it’s impossible to definitively say which phone captures better images. Image processing algorithms will also play a crucial role, and OnePlus generally has a slight edge in this area due to its more mature software.
Performance
The core battle is between the Mediatek Dimensity 6300 and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695. The Dimensity 6300 features a 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration, while the Snapdragon 695 utilizes 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. While clock speeds are comparable, the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 6300 offer a performance advantage in single-core tasks. However, the Snapdragon 695 benefits from Qualcomm’s optimized software and potentially better thermal management, leading to more sustained performance during prolonged use. Both chipsets are built on a 6nm process, offering reasonable efficiency.
Battery Life
Battery capacity isn’t specified, but both phones likely house batteries in the 5000mAh range, typical for this price bracket. The key differentiator is charging speed. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W SuperVOOC charging is significantly faster than the Oppo A3x’s 45W charging, achieving 80% charge in 30 minutes versus 50%. This faster charging is a substantial convenience factor for users who frequently need to top up their devices.
Buying Guide
Buy the Oppo A3x if you prioritize a potentially smoother experience in everyday tasks due to the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 6300, and are comfortable with slightly slower charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value rapid charging, a more established software ecosystem, and a generally more consistent performance profile, especially for users who frequently engage in media consumption or light gaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 3 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG and Call of Duty, but you’ll likely need to lower graphics settings to achieve a consistently smooth frame rate. It’s not a gaming powerhouse, but it provides a playable experience for casual gamers. The Dimensity 6300 may offer slightly better graphics performance, but thermal throttling could become a factor during extended gaming sessions.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compared to the 45W charging on the Oppo A3x in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite is substantially faster. While the A3x reaches 50% in 30 minutes, the Nord CE 3 Lite achieves 80%. This translates to a significantly shorter overall charging time, meaning less downtime and more time using your phone. For users who frequently need to quickly top up their battery, the Nord CE 3 Lite is the clear winner.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
Neither Oppo nor OnePlus explicitly advertise microSD card support for these models. Given the budget nature of the devices, it's unlikely that either phone includes a microSD card slot. Users should carefully consider their storage needs and opt for a model with sufficient internal storage.
