Poco X5 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Deep Dive into the Snapdragon 695 Battle

The Xiaomi Poco X5 and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite represent a sweet spot in the smartphone market – affordable 5G connectivity without sacrificing essential features. Both devices leverage the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, but diverge significantly in charging speed and overall endurance, making the choice less straightforward than it appears. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone delivers the best value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing rapid replenishment, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the clear winner. Its 67W charging, capable of reaching 80% in just 30 minutes, significantly outperforms the Poco X5’s 33W charging. However, the Poco X5’s slightly better endurance rating suggests it can stretch a full charge further.

PHONES
Phone Names Xiaomi Poco X5 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, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 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, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 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, 78 SA/NSA - India1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA - India
Launch
Announced2023, February 062023, April 04
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, February 07Available. Released 2023, April 11
Body
Build-Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions165.9 x 76.2 x 8 mm (6.53 x 3.00 x 0.31 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
Weight189 g (6.67 oz)195 g (6.88 oz)
 IP53, dust and splash resistant-
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 3Corning Gorilla Glass
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~395 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~391 ppi density)
Size6.67 inches, 107.4 cm2 (~85.0% screen-to-body ratio)6.72 inches, 109.6 cm2 (~87.1% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 120Hz, 700 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak)IPS LCD, 120Hz, 550 nits (typ), 680 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)
ChipsetQualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPUAdreno 619Adreno 619
OSAndroid 12, MIUI 13 for POCOAndroid 13, OxygenOS 13.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 2.2UFS 2.2
Main Camera
FeaturesDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panoramaLED flash, HDR, panorama
Triple48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 118˚ (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
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR, panorama
Single13 MP, f/2.5, (wide)16 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1.0µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
 24-bit/192kHz audio-
Comms
Bluetooth5.1, A2DP, LE5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Infrared portYes-
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes (market/region dependent)
PositioningGPS, GLONASSGPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, QZSS
RadioFM radio, recordingNo
USBUSB Type-C 2.0, OTGUSB Type-C 2.0, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-bandWi-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
Charging33W wired, 100% in 60 min67W wired, 80% in 30 min
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsJaguar Black, Wildcat Blue, Supernova GreenPastel Lime, Chromatic Gray
Models22111317PG, 22111317PICPH2467, CPH2465
PriceAbout 230 EUR£ 169.98 / € 209.99
SAR0.84 W/kg (head)     0.68 W/kg (body)1.17 W/kg (head)     0.70 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.52 W/kg (head)     0.77 W/kg (body)-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 106h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -27.3 LUFS (Good) -
Performance AnTuTu: 400895 (v9) GeekBench: 2088 (v5.1) AnTuTu: 412006 (v9) GeekBench: 2052 (v5) GFXBench: 17fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Xiaomi Poco X5

  • Longer battery endurance (106h rating)
  • Brighter display (728 nits)
  • Potentially better value if battery life is paramount

  • Slower charging speed (33W)
  • Limited camera details available
  • Display technology unspecified

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

  • Significantly faster charging (67W, 80% in 30min)
  • Convenient for quick top-ups
  • Modern design aesthetic (based on OnePlus brand reputation)

  • Battery endurance data unavailable
  • Display brightness unspecified
  • Camera details lacking

Display Comparison

Both the Poco X5 and Nord CE 3 Lite lack detailed display specifications in the provided data, but the Poco X5’s measured peak brightness of 728 nits is a crucial data point. This suggests a brighter, more visible screen in outdoor conditions compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite, where brightness remains unspecified. The 'Infinite' contrast ratio listed for the Poco X5 is a nominal specification common to most LCD/OLED panels and doesn't indicate a significant advantage. Without knowing the panel technology (IPS vs AMOLED) or refresh rate of the Nord CE 3 Lite, it’s difficult to assess its color accuracy or viewing angles.

Camera Comparison

Both devices list 'Photo / Video' capabilities, but lack any specifics regarding sensor size, aperture, or optical image stabilization (OIS). This makes a direct camera comparison impossible based on the provided data. The absence of details suggests both phones likely employ a standard camera setup for their price range, potentially relying on software processing to enhance image quality. The lack of information regarding the secondary cameras (ultrawide, macro, depth) further limits analysis. Without knowing the megapixel counts or sensor sizes, it's impossible to determine which phone offers superior image quality or versatility.

Performance

The core performance is identical: both phones are powered by the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) with an Octa-core CPU configuration (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver). This means users can expect similar performance in everyday tasks and light gaming. However, thermal management, which isn’t specified, could differentiate real-world sustained performance. The absence of RAM specifications prevents a deeper analysis of multitasking capabilities. The 6nm process node of the Snapdragon 695 is efficient, but sustained loads will still generate heat, and the effectiveness of each phone’s cooling solution will be a key factor.

Battery Life

The Poco X5 boasts an endurance rating of 106 hours, indicating a longer-lasting battery life compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite, for which endurance data is unavailable. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite compensates with significantly faster charging: 67W wired, achieving 80% charge in just 30 minutes, versus the Poco X5’s 33W charging taking 60 minutes for a full charge. This difference in charging speed is substantial, offering a significant convenience factor for users who prioritize quick top-ups. The Poco X5’s longer endurance suggests it can handle a full day of moderate use more comfortably, while the Nord CE 3 Lite relies on its fast charging to mitigate a potentially smaller battery capacity.

Buying Guide

Buy the Xiaomi Poco X5 if you prioritize maximizing battery life and are comfortable with slower charging speeds. This phone is ideal for users who frequently find themselves away from power outlets for extended periods. Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if you value convenience and quick top-ups. This is the better choice for users who prefer to briefly charge their phone throughout the day rather than waiting for a full charge overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 695 in either phone struggle with demanding games like PUBG or Call of Duty?
The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but demanding titles like PUBG and Call of Duty will likely require reduced graphics settings for smooth gameplay on both the Poco X5 and Nord CE 3 Lite. Sustained performance will depend on the phone's thermal management, which isn't specified in the provided data.
❓ Given the lack of OIS details, should I expect blurry photos or videos in low-light conditions?
Without Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), both the Poco X5 and Nord CE 3 Lite will likely exhibit more blur in low-light photos and videos, especially when hand-holding the device. Software-based stabilization will help, but it cannot fully compensate for the lack of OIS. Using a tripod or stable surface is recommended for optimal results in low-light scenarios.
❓ How does the 67W charging on the Nord CE 3 Lite compare to other fast-charging technologies?
67W charging is considered very fast, placing the Nord CE 3 Lite among the quicker-charging smartphones currently available. While not as rapid as some 120W or 150W solutions, it's significantly faster than the 33W charging on the Poco X5 and will provide a substantial charge in a short amount of time.