OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs vivo Y36i: 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 67W SuperVOOC charging dramatically reduces downtime, and the Snapdragon 695, built on a 6nm process, offers a slight edge in efficiency and sustained performance compared to the vivo Y36i’s Dimensity 6020. While the Y36i has a newer chipset, the charging speed difference is a significant real-world benefit.
| PHONES | ||
|---|---|---|
| Phone Names | vivo Y36i | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite |
| 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, 28, 34, 38, 39, 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, 5, 8, 28, 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 | 2023, December 09 | 2023, April 04 |
| Status | Available. Released 2024, January | Available. Released 2023, April 11 |
| Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back |
| Dimensions | 163.7 x 75.4 x 8.1 mm (6.44 x 2.97 x 0.32 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 | 186 g (6.56 oz) | 195 g (6.88 oz) |
| Display | ||
|---|---|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass |
| Resolution | 720 x 1612 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~269 ppi density) | 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.56 inches, 103.4 cm2 (~83.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz, 840 nits (HBM) | 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 6020 (7 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) |
| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 | Adreno 619 |
| OS | Android 13, OriginOS 3 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 |
| Memory | ||
|---|---|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) |
| Internal | 128GB 4GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM |
| - | UFS 2.2 | |
| Main Camera | ||
|---|---|---|
| Features | LED flash, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Single | 13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), PDAF Anti-stroboscopic sensor | - |
| 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, panorama |
| Single | 5 MP, f/1.8, (wide) | 16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm |
| Video | Yes | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound | ||
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms | ||
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| NFC | No | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS | GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | FM radio | 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 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 Reverse wired | 67W wired, 80% in 30 min |
| Type | 5000 mAh | Li-Po 5000 mAh |
| Misc | ||
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Purple, Gold, Black | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Models | V2318A | CPH2467, CPH2465 |
| Price | About 160 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 Y36i
- Significantly faster 67W charging
- Potentially better thermal management due to 6nm Snapdragon 695
- Slightly better GPU performance for gaming
- Chipset is an older generation compared to Dimensity 6020
- Likely similar display quality to the vivo Y36i
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
- More recent chipset architecture (Dimensity 6020)
- Potentially better power efficiency (7nm process)
- Reverse wired charging capability
- Very slow 15W charging
- Snapdragon 695 likely offers better sustained performance
Display Comparison
Neither device boasts a standout display. Both are likely to feature LCD panels, common in this price bracket. The absence of specified display details (resolution, refresh rate, peak brightness) suggests a focus on cost optimization. However, the choice of panel technology and its calibration will impact color accuracy and viewing angles. We anticipate both will offer adequate, but not exceptional, visual experiences.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specifications, a direct comparison is difficult. However, it’s safe to assume both phones will feature a multi-camera setup with a primary sensor and supporting lenses (likely depth or macro). The image processing algorithms will heavily influence the final image quality. Given the price point, expect decent performance in good lighting conditions, but struggles in low-light scenarios. The absence of Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) on either device suggests reliance on software stabilization, which can introduce artifacts.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G (6nm), featuring Kryo 660 Gold and Silver cores clocked up to 2.2 GHz and 1.7 GHz respectively. The vivo Y36i employs the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 (7nm) with a similar core configuration – 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 and 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. While the Dimensity 6020 is architecturally newer, the 6nm process of the Snapdragon 695 generally translates to better power efficiency and potentially less thermal throttling under sustained load. The Snapdragon's Adreno 619 GPU is also likely to offer a slight advantage in graphics performance. Both phones will handle everyday tasks smoothly, but the OnePlus is better positioned for moderate gaming.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s 67W SuperVOOC charging is a game-changer. It promises an 80% charge in just 30 minutes, significantly reducing downtime. The vivo Y36i, with its 15W charging, will take considerably longer to fully charge. While battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the OnePlus effectively mitigates any potential disadvantage from a slightly smaller battery. This is a crucial advantage for users who prioritize convenience and minimal charging time.
Buying Guide
Buy the vivo Y36i if you prioritize a slightly newer chipset architecture and are comfortable with significantly slower 15W charging. This phone suits users who aren't heavy smartphone users and primarily need a reliable device for basic tasks. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value fast charging above all else, and want a phone that can quickly top up its battery between uses, making it ideal for those with active lifestyles or who frequently use power-intensive apps.