Samsung Galaxy M53 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Detailed Comparison

The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Samsung Galaxy M53 and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. The M53, with its older but potentially more powerful Dimensity 900 chipset, faces off against the newer Nord CE 3 Lite, boasting significantly faster 67W charging. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which device offers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the better choice. While the Samsung Galaxy M53 boasts a slightly older, potentially faster CPU, the Nord CE 3 Lite’s dramatically faster 67W charging and efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset provide a more practical and user-friendly experience, especially for daily use.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy M53 OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 661, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 78 SA/NSA/Sub61, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 SA/NSA - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
 -1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2022, April 072023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, April 22Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), plastic back, plastic frameGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions164.7 x 77 x 7.4 mm (6.48 x 3.03 x 0.29 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
Weight176 g (6.21 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 5Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.7 inches, 108.1 cm2 (~85.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED Plus, 120HzIPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetMediatek Dimensity 900 (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUMali-G68 MC4Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 -UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens-
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, panorama
Single32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoYes
35mm jackNoYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, 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, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Charging25W wired67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsGreen, Blue, BrownPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
ModelsSM-M536B, SM-M536B/DS, SM-M536B/DSNCPH2467, CPH2465
Price€ 249.98£ 169.98 / € 209.99
SAR1.31 W/kg (head)1.17 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.60 W/kg (head)     1.53 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 114h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -29.3 LUFS (Average) -
Performance- AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy M53

  • Potentially higher peak CPU performance with Dimensity 900
  • Excellent battery endurance (114h rating)
  • Bright display (802 nits)

  • Slower 25W charging
  • Potential for thermal throttling under sustained load
  • Limited camera details available

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Ultra-fast 67W charging (80% in 30 min)
  • Efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
  • Likely better thermal management

  • Potentially lower peak CPU performance
  • Battery capacity not specified
  • Camera details are limited

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy M53 features an 802 nits max brightness display, a respectable figure for outdoor visibility. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite’s display specifications are not provided, making a direct brightness comparison difficult. Given the M53’s ‘Infinite’ contrast ratio (likely a marketing term for a high contrast AMOLED panel), it likely offers vibrant colors. The absence of refresh rate information for both devices is a notable omission; however, the M53’s brightness advantage suggests a better viewing experience in direct sunlight.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, offering minimal insight. Without sensor size or megapixel counts, a detailed camera comparison is impossible. The absence of specific details suggests neither phone is a standout in the camera department. The usefulness of any included macro cameras (often 2MP) is questionable, prioritizing marketing over image quality. Image processing styles will likely differ, with Samsung typically favoring vibrant, saturated colors and OnePlus aiming for a more natural look.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Samsung Galaxy M53 utilizes the Mediatek Dimensity 900 (6nm), featuring a dual-cluster configuration with 2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 cores and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. This suggests stronger peak performance compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), which employs 2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold cores and 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver cores. However, the Snapdragon 695 is known for its efficiency and optimized power management. While the M53 might win in benchmarks, the Nord CE 3 Lite is likely to offer a smoother, more consistent experience during prolonged use due to better thermal throttling control.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy M53 boasts an endurance rating of 114 hours, indicating excellent battery life. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compensates for potentially smaller battery capacity with its 67W wired charging, capable of reaching 80% charge in just 30 minutes. This is a significant advantage over the M53’s 25W charging. While the M53 offers longer runtimes on a single charge, the Nord CE 3 Lite’s rapid charging minimizes downtime, making it more convenient for users who frequently need to top up their battery.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy M53 if you prioritize raw CPU performance for demanding tasks like video editing or emulation, and are willing to accept slower charging speeds. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value fast charging, all-day battery life, and a smoother, more efficient user experience for everyday tasks like social media, browsing, and casual gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Mediatek Dimensity 900 in the Samsung Galaxy M53 overheat during extended gaming sessions?
The Dimensity 900 is a capable chipset, but its 6nm process and higher peak clock speeds can lead to thermal throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. While it offers strong initial performance, sustained performance may be limited compared to the more efficient Snapdragon 695 in the Nord CE 3 Lite.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compared to the 25W charging on the Samsung Galaxy M53 in real-world use?
The 67W charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite is significantly faster. It can reach 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes, while the M53’s 25W charging will take considerably longer – likely over an hour to reach a similar charge level. This difference is crucial for users who need a quick power boost.
❓ Is the lack of detailed camera specifications on both phones a cause for concern?
Yes, it is. The absence of information like sensor size and megapixel count makes it difficult to assess the camera capabilities. It suggests neither phone is a standout in the camera department, and image quality will likely be average for their price range.