OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G: Budget-Friendly Device With Scope For More
Mostly, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G feels like a tiny upgrade to its predecessor with improvements in its audio delivery and charging.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is the company¡¯s recent addition to its affordable range of smartphones that aims to deliver a near-flagship experience for a fraction of the price. Is the device able to achieve that? I discuss its pros and cons in this review.
Mostly, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G feels like a tiny upgrade to its predecessor with improvements in its audio delivery and charging. The camera and overall performance will leave you wanting more.
OnePlus
Performance and Display
The device comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset and 8 GB RAM, built around OxygenOS13.1 (Android 13). While the device was able to handle minimal app programming (with applications like WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter), it showed signs of lag when tested with games like Genshin Impact. Expect an average gaming experience if you plan to buy this smartphone. Even then, a regular user who wants a slim and good looking smartphone to make calls, use social media, and listen to music, the device is a good choice.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G has a thickness of 8.3mm and weighs 195 grams, making it a relatively light-weight phone that is comfortable to hold and use. It comes with a stereo speaker, a power button with a fingerprint scanner on the side, and a USB Type-C port at the bottom. For those looking for the classic wired headphone music experience, the CE 3 is equipped with a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Also read: OnePlus 11 5G Delivers Impressive Flagship Performance On A Budget
Users can boost their RAM by 8GB via virtual swap memory. In addition, the device comes in two memory variations - 128GB and 256GB, priced at Rs. 19,999 and Rs. 21,999 respectively. A microSD slot can help you expand the storage by up to 1TB.
OnePlus
Display
If your priority is high-definition video consumption and gaming, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is not for you. The smartphone has a 6.7-inch display and uses an LCD panel instead of AMOLED, with a refresh rate of 120Hz at FHD+ resolution.
This means that in terms of responsiveness, the display is able to deliver, but on other fronts like crispness and display clarity, it fails. It also has only 680nits of peak brightness, making it a frustrating experience in sunny environments.
Also read: OnePlus Buds Pro 2 Review: Premium Earbuds That Tick All The Right Boxes
I got the chance to use the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G in the "Pastel Lime" colour that is gorgeous to look at and use from the back but looks pretty ordinary from the front. There's a Chromatic Grey colour option for those who don't like bright options.
OnePlus
Sound
One word: Loud! The stereo speakers on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G are packed with power. This doesn't mean that they make for a pleasant listening experience at the highest volume though, which can go up to "200%." Be assured that you will not need a speaker in a small indoor space if you play music on this device.
Camera
The smartphone has a 108MP Samsung HM6 camera, with macro and depth cameras rocking a 2MP sensor each. For selfies, there is a 16MP front camera.
The device is able to click decent pictures to capture the important details without oversaturating them in daylight. Even then, there is no optical image stabilisation (OIS) to protect your shots from looking unstable. Shutter speed on this phone is average and portrait shots suffer loss of details.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy S23 Review: A Harmonious Blend Of Style And Performance
There's no ultra-wide sensor on the device and low-light shots are average at best. In essence, the camera experience is average on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G.
OnePlus
Battery
With a 5,000mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G can offer you 6-7 hours of screen time without using 5G. With average usage, you can stretch the device usage to the entire day.
If that doesn't work out, the phone comes with support for 67W fast-charging and takes about 50 minutes to go from 0 to 100%.
OnePlus
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE Lite 5G is built for the average user who uses their device for vanilla app usage, minimal gaming and photography, and wants a feature-packed device at a good price.
Pros
- Nice to hold
- Powerful speakers
- Above average battery
Cons
- Subpar display
- Average cameras
What do you think about this review? Let us know in the comments below. For more in the world of technology and science, keep reading Indiatimes.com.
I live for all-things-technology - gadgets, novel climate solutions, and startups that are changing the game. In my leisurely hours, you can find me binge watching science fiction films, writing poetry, or dancing to pop anthems.
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