ONE PLUS NORD CE 3 LITE

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite features a sleek and modern design that aligns with OnePlus’s signature aesthetic. The phone has a plastic back and frame, which helps keep the device lightweight while maintaining durability. Despite the use of plastic, the phone has a premium feel, thanks to its matte finish and subtle gradients that give it a polished look.

The device is available in multiple color options, including Pastel Lime and Chromatic Gray, which cater to different style preferences. The rear panel houses a rectangular camera module that protrudes slightly but is well-integrated into the design. The phone is slim and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods.

The Nord CE 3 Lite also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, which doubles as the power button. This placement is convenient and allows for quick and secure unlocking. Additionally, the phone retains the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature that is increasingly rare in modern smartphones but appreciated by many users.

Display

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels). The screen offers vibrant colors and good brightness levels, making it suitable for media consumption, gaming, and everyday use. While it doesn’t feature an AMOLED panel, the LCD display is still sharp and provides decent viewing angles.

The display has a 120Hz refresh rate, which is a standout feature at this price point. The high refresh rate ensures smoother scrolling and more responsive touch interactions, enhancing the overall user experience. The phone also supports adaptive refresh rate technology, which adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being displayed to save battery life.

The screen has slim bezels and a centered punch-hole cutout for the front camera, maximizing the screen-to-body ratio and providing an immersive viewing experience. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, which adds durability and resistance to scratches.

Performance

Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset. This octa-core processor is built on a 6nm process and is designed to deliver efficient performance for everyday tasks and moderate gaming. The Snapdragon 695 also supports 5G connectivity, ensuring that the phone is future-proofed for next-generation networks.

The phone comes with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card slot. The combination of the Snapdragon 695 and ample RAM ensures smooth multitasking and app performance. While the Nord CE 3 Lite may not be a powerhouse for intensive gaming or heavy workloads, it handles most tasks with ease, including social media, streaming, and light gaming.

OnePlus has optimized the software to work seamlessly with the hardware, ensuring a lag-free experience. The phone also features a vapor chamber cooling system, which helps dissipate heat during extended gaming sessions or demanding tasks.

Camera

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite features a triple-camera setup on the rear, consisting of:

• 108MP primary sensor: The high-resolution main camera captures detailed and sharp photos in good lighting conditions. It uses pixel-binning technology to combine multiple pixels into one, resulting in better low-light performance and dynamic range.
• 2MP macro sensor: This sensor allows users to take close-up shots with fine details, although the utility of a 2MP macro camera is somewhat limited.
• 2MP depth sensor: The depth sensor assists in capturing portrait shots with a natural bokeh effect, blurring the background while keeping the subject in focus.

The camera system is capable of recording 1080p video at 30fps, but it lacks support for 4K video recording, which may be a drawback for some users. The camera app is user-friendly and offers various modes, including Nightscape for low-light photography, Pro mode for manual adjustments, and AI scene detection to optimize settings based on the subject.

On the front, the phone has a 16MP selfie camera housed in the punch-hole cutout. The front camera delivers decent selfies and supports face unlock for added convenience.

Battery and Charging

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which provides excellent battery life. The large battery capacity ensures that the phone can easily last a full day of moderate to heavy usage, including browsing, streaming, and gaming. The efficient Snapdragon 695 chipset and adaptive refresh rate further contribute to the phone’s impressive battery performance.

One of the standout features of the Nord CE 3 Lite is its 67W SuperVOOC fast charging technology. This allows the phone to charge from 0% to 80% in just 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest-charging phones in its price range. The fast charging capability is a significant advantage for users who are always on the go and need quick top-ups.

Software

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite runs on OxygenOS 13.1, based on Android 13. OxygenOS is known for its clean, bloatware-free interface and smooth performance. The software offers a near-stock Android experience with additional customization options and features that enhance usability.

Some of the notable features of OxygenOS include:

• Dark Mode: A system-wide dark theme that reduces eye strain and saves battery life.
• Zen Mode: A feature that helps users disconnect from their phones by locking the device for a set period.
• Game Mode: Optimizes performance and blocks notifications during gaming sessions.
• Always-On Display: Displays essential information like time, date, and notifications when the screen is off.

OnePlus also promises regular software updates and security patches, ensuring that the Nord CE 3 Lite remains up-to-date and secure.

Connectivity and Audio

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite supports 5G connectivity, ensuring fast download and upload speeds in areas with 5G coverage. It also includes standard connectivity options such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, GPS, and NFC. The inclusion of NFC is particularly useful for contactless payments and other wireless transactions.

The phone features a single bottom-firing speaker, which delivers decent audio quality for media consumption. While the speaker is loud enough for casual use, it lacks the depth and richness of stereo speakers. However, the presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack allows users to connect wired headphones for a better audio experience.

Additional Features

• Expandable Storage: The Nord CE 3 Lite includes a microSD card slot, allowing users to expand the storage up to 1TB.
• Dual SIM Support: The phone supports dual SIM cards, making it convenient for users who need to manage personal and work numbers on a single device.
• IP Rating: While the phone does not have an official IP rating for water and dust resistance, it is built to withstand everyday splashes and minor exposure to water.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Affordable price for the features offered.
• 120Hz refresh rate display for smooth scrolling.
• Excellent battery life with 67W fast charging.
• Clean and user-friendly OxygenOS experience.
• 5G connectivity and future-proofing.
• Includes a 3.5mm headphone jack and microSD card slot.

Cons:

• Plastic build may not feel as premium as glass or metal.
• No 4K video recording capability.
• Limited utility of the 2MP macro and depth sensors.
• Single speaker setup lacks stereo sound.

Conclusion

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a well-rounded mid-range smartphone that offers a compelling mix of features at an affordable price. It excels in areas like battery life, fast charging, and display quality, making it a strong contender in its segment. While it may not have the most premium build or cutting-edge camera capabilities, it delivers excellent value for money and caters to the needs of most users.

For those seeking a reliable, feature-packed smartphone without breaking the bank, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a solid choice. It embodies OnePlus’s philosophy of delivering “Never Settle” experiences, even in the mid-range market.