The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the vivo iQOO Z6 Pro and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are two strong contenders. Both offer 5G connectivity and attractive features, but which one delivers the best overall experience? Let's dive into a comprehensive comparison to help you decide.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The iQOO Z6 Pro takes the lead thanks to its significantly more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset, offering superior performance for gaming and demanding tasks. While the Nord CE 3 Lite boasts faster charging, the iQOO Z6 Pro's overall speed and efficiency make it the better choice for most users.
| 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, 8, 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, April 27 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2022, May 03 | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 159.7 x 73.6 x 8.5 mm (6.29 x 2.90 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 | 180 g (6.35 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Panda Glass | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2404 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~409 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.44 inches, 100.0 cm2 (~85.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | AMOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak) | IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 5G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 12, Funtouch 12 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| | - | UFS 2.2 |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | - |
| Triple | 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
8 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide)
2 MP (macro) | 108 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/1.67", 0.64µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro)
Auxiliary lens |
| Video | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS | 1080p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR, panorama |
| Single | 16 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 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 | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| | 24-bit/192kHz audio | - |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.2, A2DP, LE | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS | 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/6, 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 | 66W wired, 50% in 18 min | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 4700 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Phantom Dusk, Legion Sky | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | - | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 300 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) |
vivo iQOO Z6 Pro
- Superior Performance (Snapdragon 778G)
- Fast 66W Charging
- Good Value for Money
- Decent Camera
- LCD Display (likely)
- Design may not appeal to everyone
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- Faster 67W Charging
- Clean OnePlus Software
- High-Resolution Main Camera (108MP)
- Sleek Design
- Less Powerful Chipset (Snapdragon 695)
- Performance limitations with demanding apps
- Depth sensor and macro lens are largely redundant
Display Comparison
Both phones feature a 6.72-inch display, likely with an LCD panel and a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. While both offer a large viewing area, the iQOO Z6 Pro might have slightly better color accuracy and brightness due to vivo's display technology. However, without specific panel details, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner.
Camera Comparison
The iQOO Z6 Pro typically features a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 2MP macro lens. The Nord CE 3 Lite has a 108MP main camera, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. While the Nord CE 3 Lite has a higher megapixel count, image quality often depends on software processing and sensor size. Expect both phones to produce decent photos in good lighting conditions, but the iQOO Z6 Pro's image processing might offer a slight edge in dynamic range and detail.
Performance
This is where the iQOO Z6 Pro shines. The Snapdragon 778G is a considerably more powerful chipset than the Snapdragon 695 found in the Nord CE 3 Lite. Expect smoother performance in games, faster app loading times, and better overall responsiveness on the iQOO Z6 Pro. The Nord CE 3 Lite will handle everyday tasks adequately, but will struggle with more demanding applications.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a clear advantage in charging speed with its 67W wired charging, reaching 80% in 30 minutes. The iQOO Z6 Pro's 66W charging is still fast, but slightly slower. Both phones likely have a battery capacity around 5000mAh, suggesting similar battery life under typical usage.
Buying Guide
The vivo iQOO Z6 Pro is ideal for gamers and users who prioritize performance and smooth multitasking. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a good option for those who value fast charging and a streamlined user experience, and are less concerned with raw processing power.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for gaming?
The vivo iQOO Z6 Pro is significantly better for gaming due to its more powerful Snapdragon 778G chipset.
❓ Does the Nord CE 3 Lite have faster charging?
Yes, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite offers faster 67W charging compared to the iQOO Z6 Pro's 66W charging.
