OnePlus has unveiled its latest mid-range smartphone, the OnePlus Nord CE 3Lite 5G, which boasts a large, fast-refreshing screen, speedy wired charging, and a large camera, promising an experience that is “larger than life.” Priced at £299 in the UK, the device features a 5000mAh battery with an improved charging rate of 67W, allowing it to reach 80% charge in just 30 minutes. However, the phone does not come equipped with wireless charging capabilities.
The built-in software ensures optimized charging speed and cycles throughout the day, and the phone has multiple internal temperature sensors and a dedicated chip to maintain battery health. OnePlus claims the Nord CE 3 Lite will last for 1600 charge cycles while retaining 80% of the battery charge.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite boasts a triple-lens rear camera system, which includes a 2-megapixel depth assist lens and 2-megapixel macro lens to support its Samsung-manufactured 108-megapixel main sensor. The phone’s software utilizes the larger sensor to provide 3x lossless zoom, which allows the processing algorithm to optimize the post-processing for zoom shots.
The outdoor shots taken with the Nord CE 3 Lite meet expectations for the device’s price point and the 3x zoom delivers a bit more than standard magnification. However, the vibrancy and pop of colors in these shots can appear overdone and unnatural. In low-light settings, the camera’s image quality drops and the definition becomes softer. Overall, the camera is reliable, but not outstanding.
Compared to the Nord CE 2 Lite, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a slightly larger screen size of 6.72 inches, with an adaptive refresh rate that can vary from 30Hz up to 120Hz depending on the activity. The screen can switch to 120Hz manually if required, while gaming runs at 60Hz or 90Hz. The hardware and software both prioritize improving video playback, with support for Netflix and Amazon Prime’s HDR options and a maximum brightness of 680 nits under HDR.
At this price point, the inclusion of dual stereo speakers is a standout feature, which can boost volume levels by 200 percent over the original file. The Nord CE 3 Lite uses the same Snapdragon 695 5G chipset as the Nord CE 2 Lite, which delivers performance that OnePlus considers to be still relevant. Sticking with the same chipset also reduces the need for hardware optimization and shared support costs with the previous model. Moreover, the component price may be lower as the chipset is older.
OnePlus has announced the Nord CE 3 Lite, which is a minor upgrade from the Nord CE 2 Lite. The phone features a larger 6.72-inch screen with adaptive refresh rates varying from 30Hz to 120Hz. The camera now includes a 108-megapixel main sensor and offers 3x lossless zoom, but the phone suffers in low light conditions.
The battery charges faster with a 67W charger, and the operating system and apps have received updates. The Nord CE 3 Lite retains the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset from its predecessor. Overall, the Nord CE 3 Lite is a competent upgrade, but not a significant one.
