TCL 40R vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Deep Dive into Budget 5G Contenders
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🏆 Quick Verdict
For most users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite emerges as the stronger choice. Its Snapdragon 695, built on a more efficient 6nm process, offers a performance edge and better thermal management, coupled with the game-changing 67W SuperVOOC charging. While the TCL 40R is a capable device, it can't match the Nord CE 3 Lite's speed and convenience.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | TCL 40R | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite |
| Network | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | LTE | 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, 78 SA/NSA - T771K, T771K1 | 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 |
| 7, 28, 66, 71, 78 SA/NSA - T771A | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India | |
| Launch | ||
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2022, October 26 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, October 21 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 164.5 x 75.4 x 9 mm (6.48 x 2.97 x 0.35 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 + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 192 g (6.77 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~267 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.6 inches, 104.6 cm2 (~84.4% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits (typ) | 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 700 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, TCL UI 4.0 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| eMMC 5.1 | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4", 1.12µm | - |
| Triple | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens | 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, panorama |
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm | 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 | 5.1, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n | 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 | 15W wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Stardust Purple, Starlight Black | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | T771K, T771K1, T771H, T771A | 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) |
TCL 40R
- Potentially lower price point
- Reliable MediaTek chipset
- Balanced feature set
- Slow 15W charging
- Less efficient Dimensity 700 chipset
- Likely less refined image processing
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Ultra-fast 67W SuperVOOC charging
- More efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Improved CPU architecture for smoother performance
- Potentially slightly higher price
- Software support may be shorter than TCL
- Display lacks high refresh rate
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both likely utilize LCD panels, a common cost-saving measure in this segment. The TCL 40R’s display specs are not provided, but given its price point, it’s reasonable to assume a 60Hz refresh rate. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite also lacks a high refresh rate. The key difference lies in the underlying chipsets’ ability to drive more complex displays, a feature neither phone fully utilizes. Color accuracy and peak brightness are likely comparable, leaning towards acceptable rather than exceptional.
Camera Comparison
Camera performance is difficult to assess without detailed sensor information. However, the focus should be on the main sensor. While both phones likely feature multi-camera setups, the quality of the primary sensor dictates the majority of image quality. Without specific sensor details, it’s safe to assume the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, benefiting from Qualcomm’s image signal processor (ISP), will likely deliver slightly more refined image processing, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. The TCL 40R’s ISP is likely adequate, but won’t match the Snapdragon’s capabilities. The inclusion of 2MP macro/depth sensors on both devices is largely marketing fluff and shouldn’t heavily influence purchasing decisions.
Performance
The performance gap is where these phones diverge. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) benefits from a smaller fabrication process, translating to improved power efficiency and sustained performance compared to the TCL 40R’s MediaTek Dimensity 700 (7nm). While both CPUs feature a 2x2.2 GHz core configuration, the Snapdragon’s Kryo 660 Gold cores are architecturally more advanced than the Cortex-A76 cores in the Dimensity 700. This means the Nord CE 3 Lite will handle demanding apps and multitasking with greater ease. The 6nm process also implies better thermal throttling characteristics, crucial for prolonged gaming sessions.
Battery Life
The TCL 40R’s 15W charging is a significant disadvantage compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W SuperVOOC charging. The Nord CE 3 Lite can reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes, a massive convenience factor. While battery capacity isn’t specified for either device, the Snapdragon 695’s superior efficiency means the Nord CE 3 Lite will likely achieve comparable or better battery life despite potentially having a smaller battery. The TCL 40R’s slow charging will require significantly more time to replenish the battery, impacting usability for power users.
Buying Guide
Buy the TCL 40R if you prioritize a balanced feature set and are less concerned with blazing-fast charging or pushing the absolute limits of mobile gaming. It's a good fit for everyday users who value reliability and a familiar Android experience. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you demand quicker charging, a more modern chipset for smoother multitasking and gaming, and are willing to trade off potentially slightly longer software support for a more immediate performance boost.