The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, offering incredible value for your money. Today, we're pitting two popular contenders against each other: the vivo iQOO Neo 6 and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. Both promise a compelling experience, but which one truly reigns supreme?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Neo 6 takes the crown thanks to its significantly faster Snapdragon 870 chipset, brighter display, and blazing-fast 80W charging. While the Nord CE 3 Lite offers a more streamlined OnePlus experience and decent charging, the Neo 6 delivers superior performance and value.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 2100 | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - International |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 4, 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, 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 | 2022, May 31 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 31 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163 x 76.2 x 8.5 mm (6.42 x 3.00 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 | 190 g (6.70 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~398 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.62 inches, 105.8 cm2 (~85.2% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 800 nits (HBM), 1300 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.2 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 585 & 4x1.80 GHz Kryo 585) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8250-AC Snapdragon 870 5G (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 650 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | UFS 3.1 | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.9, (wide), 1/1.72", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS
8 MP, f/2.2, 116˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | HDR | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| 35mm jack | No | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Infrared port | Yes | - |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG | USB Type-C 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 80W wired, 50% in 12 min, 100% in 32 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dark Nova, Cyber Rage | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | I2126 | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 360 EUR | £ 169.98 / € 209.99 |
| SAR | - | 1.17 W/kg (head) 0.70 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Battery life |
Endurance rating 97h
| - |
| Camera |
Photo / Video | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
-25.0 LUFS (Very good)
| - |
| Performance |
AnTuTu: 627246 (v8), 730223 (v9)
GeekBench: 3076 (v5.1)
GFXBench: 50fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
AnTuTu: 412006 (v9)
GeekBench: 2052 (v5)
GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) |
vivo iQOO Neo 6
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 870)
- Blazing-Fast 80W Charging
- Brighter Display
- Excellent Battery Life (97h Endurance)
- Likely Better Camera
- Software might be less streamlined than OnePlus
- Design may be less premium than Nord CE 3 Lite
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Clean OnePlus Software Experience
- Decent Battery Life
- Affordable Price
- Reliable Performance for Everyday Tasks
- Slower Performance (Snapdragon 695)
- Slower Charging (67W)
- Less Bright Display
- Lower Overall Performance
Display Comparison
The iQOO Neo 6 boasts a significantly brighter display, peaking at 772 nits compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite's likely lower brightness (typical of its class). While both likely feature AMOLED panels, the Neo 6's higher brightness provides better visibility in sunlight. The contrast ratio is listed as 'infinite' for the iQOO Neo 6, suggesting excellent blacks and vibrant colors, though this is a nominal value.
Camera Comparison
Camera details are limited, but generally, the iQOO Neo 6 is expected to have a more capable camera system due to its higher-end chipset and likely better image processing capabilities. Both phones likely offer a main sensor, ultrawide, and macro lens. Image quality will depend on software optimization, which is a strength for both brands.
Performance
This is where the iQOO Neo 6 truly shines. Its Snapdragon 870 chipset is a powerhouse, offering significantly faster processing speeds and smoother multitasking than the Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695. Expect noticeably better gaming performance and quicker app loading times on the iQOO Neo 6.
Battery Life
The iQOO Neo 6's endurance rating of 97h is exceptional, suggesting excellent battery life. Coupled with its 80W charging, it can reach 50% in just 12 minutes and 100% in 32 minutes. The Nord CE 3 Lite offers respectable battery life and 67W charging, but falls short of the iQOO Neo 6's charging speed and overall endurance.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Neo 6 is ideal for gamers and power users who prioritize performance and fast charging. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a great choice for those seeking a reliable, everyday phone with a clean software experience and a focus on affordability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the iQOO Neo 6 good for gaming?
Yes, the iQOO Neo 6's Snapdragon 870 chipset makes it an excellent choice for gaming, offering smooth performance and high frame rates.
❓ Which phone has better software support?
OnePlus generally offers faster and more consistent software updates, but vivo has improved its software experience in recent years.