OnePlus has earned a reputation in the budget-friendly smartphone market with its Nord CE series. The "Lite" label within this range emphasizes cost-effectiveness while maintaining key features. The latest model, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite, builds on the groundwork laid by its predecessors, the Nord CE 2 Lite and Nord CE 3 Lite, adding significant enhancements. Here’s a detailed comparison of these three models to see how they measure up to one another.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite
Display
The Nord CE4 Lite excels in the display category. It features a 6.67-inch FHD+ OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smoother experience and deeper blacks compared to the 6.59-inch and 6.72-inch LCD panels on the CE2 Lite and CE3 Lite, respectively, both also with 120Hz refresh rates. The CE4 Lite’s display is brighter, reaching up to 2100 nits peak brightness, whereas the CE3 Lite peaks at 680 nits and the CE2 Lite's brightness is unspecified.
Design and Other Features
The design across all three phones is fairly consistent, with a punch-hole display and plastic back. The CE4 Lite, however, is lighter at 191g compared to the 195g of the earlier models. Notably, the CE4 Lite introduces an in-display fingerprint sensor, unlike the side-mounted ones in the CE2 Lite and CE3 Lite. Additionally, the CE4 Lite has an IP54 dust and water resistance rating, which the previous models lack. The 3.5mm headphone jack is a common feature across all three phones, pleasing audio enthusiasts.
The CE4 Lite also introduces a new “Super Silver” color option, alongside “Mega Blue” and the India-exclusive “Ultra Orange,” providing more choices for personalization.
Performance and Software
All three models run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G SoC, ensuring smooth performance for daily tasks and light gaming. The Nord CE 2 Lite and Nord CE 3 Lite offer up to 8GB of RAM, while the Nord CE4 Lite is available in 8GB + 128GB and 8GB + 256GB configurations. In terms of software, the Nord CE4 Lite ships with Android 14 and OxygenOS 14, offering the latest features and optimizations compared to the Android 12-based OxygenOS 12.1 on the Nord CE 2 Lite and the Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1 on the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Cameras
The camera setup in the CE4 Lite changes from its predecessors. It opts for a dual-camera system, featuring a 50MP main sensor with a larger 1/1.95” Sony LYT-600 sensor and f/1.8 aperture, potentially enhancing low-light performance and image quality compared to the 64MP sensor in the CE2 Lite and the 108MP sensor in the CE3 Lite. The CE2 Lite and CE3 Lite include 2MP macro and depth sensors, while the CE4 Lite retains the 2MP depth sensor but drops the macro sensor. The front camera remains a consistent 16MP across all models.
Battery and Charging
The battery capacity in the Nord CE4 Lite receives a significant boost, featuring a 5500mAh battery compared to the 5000mAh batteries in the Nord CE 2 Lite and Nord CE 3 Lite. Additionally, the Nord CE4 Lite supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, far outpacing the 33W fast charging in the Nord CE 2 Lite and the 67W SuperVOOC fast charging in the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Price
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite maintains competitive pricing, offering excellent value for its features and specifications. The base model starts at Rs. 19,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant, while the 8GB + 256GB variant is priced at Rs. 22,999. This pricing aligns with the launch prices of the Nord CE 2 Lite and Nord CE 3 Lite.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite stands out as a significant upgrade over its predecessors, featuring a superior OLED display, improved camera capabilities with OIS, a larger battery with faster charging, and the latest Android 14 software. Although the processor remains unchanged, the overall package offers a more polished and enjoyable smartphone experience. For those seeking a budget-friendly device with impressive features, especially in display quality and camera performance, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a strong contender in the market.
