Realme 9 5G Speed vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: The Ultimate Budget Showdown
| Phones Images | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster 67W charging and the more efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset. While the Realme 9 5G Speed boasts a more powerful Snapdragon 778G, the Nord CE 3 Lite's charging speed and overall value make it a compelling choice.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | Realme 9 5G Speed | 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, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 19, 28, 34, 38, 39, 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, 28, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | 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 |
| SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - International | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, March 10 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, March 14 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Panda Glass), plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.4 x 75.8 x 8.5 mm (6.47 x 2.98 x 0.33 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 | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~400 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.8 cm2 (~84.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 144Hz, 480 nits (typ), 600 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to Android 12, Realme UI 3.0 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| UFS 2.2 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 48 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) 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 | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | HDR, panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.1, 26mm (wide), 1/3.09", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| 24-bit/192kHz audio | - | |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | Unspecified | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | ||
|---|---|---|
| Charging | 30W wired, 50% in 25 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Starry Glow, Azure Glow | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | RMX3461 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 240 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) |
Realme 9 5G Speed
- More powerful chipset (Snapdragon 778G)
- Potentially better display quality
- OIS on main camera
- Slower charging speed (30W)
- Less efficient chipset
- Potentially less detailed camera images
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Significantly faster charging (67W)
- More efficient chipset (potentially better battery life)
- Higher resolution main camera (108MP)
- Less powerful chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- Potentially less vibrant display
- Fewer camera features
Display Comparison
The Realme 9 5G Speed typically features a 6.6-inch 120Hz IPS LCD display, offering smooth visuals. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite usually has a 6.72-inch 120Hz IPS LCD, potentially offering slightly more screen real estate. Both are LCD panels, so don't expect OLED-level contrast, but the 120Hz refresh rate is a welcome addition for smoother scrolling and gaming.
Camera Comparison
The Realme 9 5G Speed often features a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite typically has a 108MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. While megapixels aren't everything, the Nord CE 3 Lite's higher resolution main sensor *could* offer more detail in good lighting conditions. Image processing will be a key differentiator.
Performance
Here's where the differences become more apparent. The Realme 9 5G Speed's Snapdragon 778G is a more powerful chipset, generally providing better performance in demanding tasks and games. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 is still capable, but it's less powerful. Expect smoother performance on the Realme, but the Nord CE 3 Lite's efficiency can translate to better battery life.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W charging is a game-changer, capable of charging the battery from 0 to 80% in just 30 minutes. The Realme 9 5G Speed's 30W charging is considerably slower. Both phones likely have around a 5000mAh battery, but the Nord CE 3 Lite's charging speed gives it a significant advantage.
Buying Guide
The Realme 9 5G Speed is ideal for users prioritizing raw performance and a slightly better display. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is perfect for those who value incredibly fast charging and a more streamlined user experience, especially if battery life is a key concern.