The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers a compelling option for budget-conscious users seeking a phone that balances affordability with everyday functionality. Released in April 2023, this mid-range smartphone prioritizes large battery life, a smooth display, and a capable camera system, all at a competitive price point in India. Let’s delve deeper into the phone’s strengths and weaknesses to see if it aligns with your needs.
Striking Design and Display
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G boasts a large, 6.72-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This translates to smoother scrolling and a more enjoyable experience when gaming or watching videos. The FHD+ resolution (1800 x 2400 pixels) delivers sharp visuals, while the 20:9 aspect ratio provides ample screen real estate for various tasks.
The phone comes in two color options: Pastel Lime, a refreshing and vibrant choice, and Chromatic Gray, a more subdued and classic look. Both options feature a minimalist camera bump and a streamlined design that feels comfortable to hold.
Capable Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor. This mid-range chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM, provides sufficient performance for everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media scrolling, and using productivity apps. While it might not be ideal for heavy gaming, it tackles most daily activities with ease.
The phone offers two storage configurations: 128GB and 256GB. This allows you to choose the option that best suits your storage needs. Additionally, OnePlus includes a feature called “RAM Expansion,” which utilizes a portion of the phone’s storage to act as virtual RAM. This can potentially improve multitasking performance.
Long-lasting Battery Life
One of the highlights of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is its impressive 5000mAh battery. This large capacity ensures you can comfortably go through a full day on a single charge, with moderate usage potentially extending into the next day.
The phone also supports 67W fast charging with OnePlus’s SUPERVOOC technology. While the included charger supports 80W speeds, the phone itself is limited to 67W. This fast charging capability allows you to quickly top up the battery when needed.
Camera System
The camera system on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is decent for a budget phone. The main sensor is a 108-megapixel unit, accompanied by two 2-megapixel sensors for macro and depth information. While the high megapixel count might seem impressive, sensor size and processing power play a significant role in image quality. You can expect good results in well-lit conditions, but low-light performance might be underwhelming.
The front-facing camera for selfies is a 16-megapixel sensor. It captures decent photos for social media sharing or video calls.
Software and Updates
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G comes pre-installed with OxygenOS 13.1, based on Android. OxygenOS is known for its clean interface and focus on user experience. You can expect a bloatware-free experience with some customization options. OnePlus has committed to providing two major Android updates and three years of security updates for the phone, ensuring you receive the latest features and security patches.
