The sub-$200 smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Realme Narzo 70x and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are two strong contenders. Both aim to deliver 5G connectivity and a smooth user experience without breaking the bank. However, they take different approaches – Realme focuses on a newer Mediatek chipset, while OnePlus prioritizes faster charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifics to determine which phone offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing rapid charging and a well-established brand reputation, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the better choice. Its 67W charging significantly reduces downtime, and while the Snapdragon 695 is an older chip, it provides a comparable experience to the Dimensity 6100+ for everyday tasks.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 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, 40, 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, April 24 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, April 24 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | - | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 165.6 x 76.1 x 7.7 mm (6.52 x 3.00 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 | 188 g (6.63 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~392 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.72 inches, 109.0 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 800 nits (typ), 950 nits (HBM) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x2.2 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 6100+ (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 50 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, 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@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | Panorama | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, LHDC | 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 | 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, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 45W wired, 50% in 30 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ice Blue, Forest Green | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | - | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 120 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 Narzo 70x
- More modern chipset architecture (Dimensity 6100+)
- Potentially better long-term software support (Realme)
- Competitive price point
- Slower charging speed (45W)
- Camera performance is unknown
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster charging (67W, 80% in 30 mins)
- Established brand reputation (OnePlus)
- Proven Snapdragon 695 performance
- Older chipset architecture (Snapdragon 695)
- Potentially less frequent software updates
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The focus here isn't on premium features like high refresh rates or OLED technology. The real difference will come down to color calibration and peak brightness, specs not provided. However, given OnePlus's history, the Nord CE 3 Lite may offer slightly more accurate color reproduction.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs, it's difficult to make a definitive judgment. Both phones likely feature a primary camera paired with depth or macro sensors. The image processing algorithms will be key. OnePlus generally leans towards more natural-looking images, while Realme often boosts saturation. The absence of OIS on either device suggests low-light performance will be a challenge. The quality of the main sensor will be the deciding factor, and without that information, it's a toss-up.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme Narzo 70x utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm), featuring a 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 configuration. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite employs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm) with a 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver setup. While clock speeds are similar, the Dimensity 6100+ benefits from a newer architecture, potentially offering slightly better efficiency and sustained performance. However, the Snapdragon 695 is a proven performer, and the real-world difference in everyday tasks will be minimal. Both phones will likely handle social media, browsing, and light gaming adequately.
Battery Life
The battery capacity isn't specified, but both phones likely fall in the 5000mAh range, typical for this segment. The crucial difference is charging speed. The Realme Narzo 70x supports 45W wired charging, claiming 50% charge in 30 minutes. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts 67W wired charging, reaching 80% in the same timeframe. This is a significant advantage for the Nord CE 3 Lite, offering a much faster top-up, especially for users who frequently run low on battery.
Buying Guide
Buy the Realme Narzo 70x if you prioritize a more modern chipset architecture and potentially longer software support from Realme. This phone is ideal for users who frequently switch between apps and appreciate the benefits of a newer processor. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value fast charging above all else, and prefer the established software experience and brand recognition of OnePlus. This is the phone for users who need to quickly top up their battery throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Will the Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 3 Lite struggle with demanding games like PUBG Mobile?
The Snapdragon 695 is capable of running PUBG Mobile, but you'll likely need to lower the graphics settings to achieve a smooth frame rate. It's not a gaming powerhouse, but it's sufficient for casual gaming sessions. The Dimensity 6100+ in the Narzo 70x may offer slightly better performance in sustained gaming scenarios due to its newer architecture.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite compared to the 45W charging on the Narzo 70x in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite will noticeably reduce charging time. While both claim a significant charge in 30 minutes, the Nord CE 3 Lite reaches 80% compared to the Narzo 70x's 50%. This means a much quicker top-up when you're short on time, potentially adding hours of usage with just a brief charge.
❓ Does either phone support expandable storage via microSD card?
This information is not provided in the specifications. However, it's common for phones in this price range to offer microSD card support, but it's not guaranteed. Check the official product pages for confirmation.
