The budget smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and two contenders vying for your attention are the Realme Narzo N53 and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. Both offer compelling features at attractive price points, but which one truly delivers the best value? Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, faster charging (67W vs 33W), and more efficient 6nm process. While the Narzo N53 is a decent option, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers a superior overall experience for the price.
| 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, 38, 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, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2023, May 18 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2023, May 22 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 167.3 x 76.7 x 7.5 mm (6.59 x 3.02 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 | 182 g (6.42 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~390 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.74 inches, 109.7 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 450 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (2x1.8 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Unisoc Tiger T612 (12 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, Realme UI T | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (dedicated slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 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, (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@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 720p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO | 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 | 33W wired, 50% in 31 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Gold | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | RMX3761 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 100 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 N53
- Potentially lower price
- Large display
- Decent battery life
- Weaker chipset
- Slower charging
- Less premium build quality
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster performance (Snapdragon 695 5G)
- Faster charging (67W)
- Better camera (108MP)
- More efficient chipset (6nm)
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Design may be less distinctive
Display Comparison
Both phones feature large displays, with the Narzo N53 likely sporting a slightly larger screen (around 6.72 inches) and potentially a lower resolution. The Nord CE 3 Lite is expected to have a 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother visual experience. Color accuracy and brightness will be key differentiators to look for in reviews.
Camera Comparison
The Narzo N53 is expected to have a 50MP main camera, while the Nord CE 3 Lite features a 108MP main camera. While megapixels aren't everything, the Nord CE 3 Lite's larger sensor and potentially better image processing should result in superior image quality, especially in low-light conditions. Both likely include ultrawide and macro lenses.
Performance
This is where the Nord CE 3 Lite shines. The Snapdragon 695 5G is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Unisoc Tiger T612. Expect noticeably faster app loading times, smoother multitasking, and better gaming performance on the Nord CE 3 Lite. The 6nm process also contributes to better power efficiency.
Battery Life
Both phones offer large batteries (likely around 5000mAh). However, the Nord CE 3 Lite's 67W fast charging is a game-changer, allowing it to charge significantly faster than the Narzo N53's 33W charging. This translates to less time tethered to a wall outlet.
Buying Guide
The Realme Narzo N53 is a good choice for users prioritizing a large display and a slightly lower price point, and who aren't heavily reliant on demanding applications. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is ideal for those seeking better performance, faster charging, and a more premium feel, even within a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the Realme Narzo N53 good for gaming?
The Narzo N53's chipset is adequate for casual games, but demanding titles may experience lag or reduced frame rates. The Nord CE 3 Lite is a better choice for gamers.
❓ Which phone has better battery life?
Both have large batteries, but the Nord CE 3 Lite's faster charging makes it more convenient overall.
