Oneplus Nord CE 3 Lite Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a mid-range smartphone that was recently released in April 2023. This new addition to the OnePlus Nord lineup boasts a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 108MP triple-camera setup, and a massive 5000mAh battery with 67W fast charging support. The Nord CE 3 Lite also comes with the latest Android 13 operating system and OxygenOS 13.1 user interface which provides a user-friendly experience.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a stylish and sleek device that boasts a modern design and build quality. The phone has a plastic frame and back, which may not be the most premium material, but it does make it lighter and more comfortable to hold. The glass front adds a touch of elegance and enhances the display's visual appeal.

Ergonomics and comfort are also key features of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. The phone is thin and light, which makes it easy to carry around and use for extended periods. The physical buttons are well-placed, and the fingerprint sensor on the side is easy to reach.

The phone's construction is solid, and it feels durable enough to withstand regular use. However, the plastic back may scratch easily, so it's recommended to use a case to protect it.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's design and build quality may not be the most premium, but it's well-executed and offers a comfortable and stylish experience.

Display

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a 6.72-inch IPS LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 391 pixels per inch. The display has a 20:9 aspect ratio and offers a screen-to-body ratio of 87.1%, making it an immersive viewing experience.

The colors on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's screen are vivid and accurate, and the brightness levels are impressive with a peak brightness of 680 nits. The Gorilla Glass protection ensures that the screen remains safe from scratches and cracks.

The touch sensitivity and responsiveness of the screen are impressive, and the phone's software integration ensures that the animations and transitions are smooth and seamless. The display is also optimized for gaming, making it an excellent choice for mobile gamers.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's display is a solid performer, delivering an excellent visual experience that is sure to impress. Whether you are watching movies or playing games, the phone's screen will not disappoint.

Performance

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is powered by a Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) chipset and an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver). It also features an Adreno 619 GPU. These specifications provide the phone with excellent performance and make it a great choice for multitasking, app usage and gaming.

Additionally, the Nord CE 3 Lite is available in two RAM and storage options: 128GB 8GB RAM and 256GB 8GB RAM. Both options are equipped with UFS 2.2 storage technology, which enhances the overall performance and speed of the phone.

In terms of benchmark scores, the Nord CE 3 Lite scored an impressive 412006 on AnTuTu (v9), 2052 on GeekBench (v5), and 17fps on GFXBench (ES 3.1 onscreen). These scores demonstrate that the phone is capable of handling demanding tasks with ease and efficiency.

In real-world usage, the Nord CE 3 Lite performs exceptionally well. The phone is quick and responsive when opening and closing apps, and it handles multitasking with ease. Additionally, it provides a smooth and seamless gaming experience with no lag or stuttering.

Overall, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers excellent performance and is a great option for anyone looking for a phone that can handle demanding tasks with ease. Its powerful chipset, generous RAM and storage options, and exceptional benchmark scores make it a top contender in its price range.

Software and User Interface

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite comes with Android 13 and OxygenOS 13.1, providing a clean and user-friendly interface. The operating system is customizable, allowing users to adjust settings and personalize their experience. Pre-installed apps are minimal, and bloatware is kept to a minimum, which is a refreshing change from other devices that come loaded with unnecessary applications.

The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for those who prefer a streamlined experience. The phone also supports gestures, which are a welcome addition as they provide an alternative to traditional navigation buttons.

OnePlus regularly provides software updates, ensuring that the device stays up-to-date with the latest security patches and features. The updates are delivered in a timely manner and are easy to install.

There are a number of features that enhance the user experience, such as the ability to customize the device's theme, icon packs, and font size. The phone also has a built-in dark mode, which is particularly useful for those who use their device frequently in low light conditions.

Overall, the software and user interface of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are excellent. The device provides a clean and customizable interface, with regular software updates and useful features that enhance the user experience.

Camera

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts an impressive rear camera setup, consisting of a triple-lens configuration. The primary lens is a whopping 108-megapixel sensor, which captures stunningly detailed images even in low-light settings. The secondary 2-megapixel macro lens and 2-megapixel depth sensor further enhance the phone's photographic capabilities, allowing for beautiful bokeh effects and close-up shots.

The camera app is user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a range of shooting modes and features. The camera's AI-powered scene recognition technology automatically optimizes settings for different shooting scenarios, such as landscapes, portraits, and night scenes. The camera also supports 4K video recording at 30fps, with electronic image stabilization for smoother footage.

In terms of front-facing camera capabilities, the Nord CE 3 Lite features a 16-megapixel sensor with HDR and panorama modes. While not as impressive as the rear camera setup, the front-facing camera is more than capable of capturing high-quality selfies and video calls.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's camera setup is a major highlight of the phone. It offers a range of features and capabilities that are sure to impress even the most discerning mobile photographers.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a 5G-enabled device that supports all major global bands. This means that no matter where you are in the world, you will be able to enjoy super-fast internet speeds, as long as your network provider supports 5G. The device also supports 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G networks.

In terms of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities, the Nord CE 3 Lite supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac dual-band, Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, LE, and aptX HD. This makes it easy to connect to a wide range of devices, including wireless headphones, speakers, and smartwatches. The device also supports NFC for wireless payments and other contactless transactions, although this feature may not be available in all markets.

GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS, and QZSS are all supported on the Nord CE 3 Lite, ensuring accurate location tracking and navigation. The device also comes with a range of sensors, including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, ensuring that you can interact with the device in a variety of ways.

While the Nord CE 3 Lite does not have a radio, it does come with a USB Type-C 2.0 port that supports OTG. This means that you can connect external storage devices, such as USB drives, to the device and transfer files easily.

Overall, the Nord CE 3 Lite offers robust connectivity and networking capabilities, making it a great choice for users who need to stay connected on the go.

Additional Features

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a number of additional features that make it stand out from other smartphones in its price range. One of the key features of this device is its water and dust resistance, which is rated at IP68. This means that it can withstand being submerged in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes without suffering any damage.

Another standout feature of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is its expandable storage options. The device comes with a microSDXC card slot, which allows users to increase the phone's storage capacity by up to 1TB. This is particularly useful for users who need to store large amounts of media files, such as photos, videos, and music.

The audio quality of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is also noteworthy. The device comes with stereo speakers that deliver clear and crisp sound, making it ideal for watching videos or listening to music without the need for headphones. Additionally, the phone retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect their favorite wired headphones.

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite also comes with a number of other features, such as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enhance the usability and functionality of the device, making it easier and more convenient for users to navigate and interact with their phone.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's additional features make it a well-rounded smartphone that offers a great user experience. Whether you're looking for a device that's water-resistant, has expandable storage, or delivers great audio quality, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has you covered.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When it comes to mid-range smartphones, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a strong contender in the market. However, it faces stiff competition from other devices in its category such as the Samsung Galaxy A52, Google Pixel 4a, and Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite.

Compared to the Samsung Galaxy A52, the Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a more impressive processor and faster charging technology. However, the A52 has a slightly larger and higher quality display, as well as a better camera system.

The Google Pixel 4a also has a better camera system, particularly in low light conditions, and runs on the stock version of Android. However, the Nord CE 3 Lite has a larger and higher refresh rate display, as well as faster charging technology.

Meanwhile, the Xiaomi Mi 11 Lite offers a similar display and processor as the Nord CE 3 Lite, but has a better camera system and is slightly more affordable.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite offers a solid package of performance, display, and battery life, but faces tough competition from other mid-range smartphones with better camera systems and slightly more affordable price points.

Pros and Cons

XI. Pros and Cons

After thoroughly analyzing the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite's specifications and performance, the following are its pros and cons:

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite offers impressive performance and features at an affordable price point, but some compromises had to be made in terms of build quality and storage options. However, the device's fast charging technology, high-resolution camera, and customizable software make it a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a great mid-range smartphone that offers a lot of value for its price. Its design is sleek and modern, with a comfortable and ergonomic feel. The display is vibrant and responsive, with excellent touch sensitivity and outdoor visibility. The performance is top-notch, thanks to its high-end processor and ample RAM and storage options. The camera system is impressive, with excellent image quality and video capabilities. The battery life is also impressive, with fast charging capabilities and long screen-on and standby times.

While the lack of water and dust resistance and expandable storage options may be a drawback for some users, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite still offers a lot of bang for its buck. It's a great option for those looking for a mid-range smartphone with high-end features and capabilities. Overall, we highly recommend the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.