Wednesday 19 July 2023

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Review: A Mid-Range Marvel or Cut-Price Compromise?

 

Introduction: Embracing the Budget Phone Revolution

Budget smartphones have come a long way, offering extended battery life, powerful processors, and captivating displays. Yet, as companies strive to eliminate drawbacks, can a budget phone truly excel without revealing even minor shortcomings? In this review, we'll explore the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, the latest contender in the budget phone market, to determine if it delivers a well-rounded experience for the value-conscious consumer.



Build and Display: Bold Design, Bright Colors, and a Notable Exception

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G catches the eye with its vibrant cococoa optionsparticularly the pastel lime shade that suits the season. Additionally, there's a more sophisticated chromatic grgreattion for those seeking a more understated look.

Sporting a large 6.72-inch FHD display, the phone offers ample screen real estate. However, a noteworthy caveat is that it utilizes an LCD panel instead of the increasingly popular AMOLED screens. Although the design is appealing, the display's edges appear slightly dimmer. Moreover, despite the promised 120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, scrolling through articles and websites may result in a noticeable blur.

Camera: The 108-Megapixel Boast and Real-World Performance

OnePlus advertises the Nord CE 3 Lite as the first smartphone in its lineup with a 108-megapixel main camera. While this specification sounds impressive on paper, the real-world performance has been a mixed bag. In well-lit conditions, the camera captures decent images; however, in low-light settings, the results tend to be below average, often producing blurry photos even of stationary objects. Macro shots also suffer from focusing issues.

For selfies, the phone features a 16-megapixel front camera. While it captures skin tones reasonably well, it tends to blur out skin texture, even without any filters appapplied


Performance: Capable Hardware for Everyday Use

Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, the same processor found in the iQOO Z6 and the POCO X5. Paired with 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage, the phone handles multitasking, web browsing, and casual gaming without significant issues. In benchmarking tests (AnTuTu), the OnePlus Nord CE 5G scores in the 65th percentile.

The phone runs on OxygenOS 13.1, offering an intuitive interface, particularly for first-time users.

Battery: Enduring Power and Quick Charging

With a 5,000mAh battery, the Nord CE 3 Lite comfortably lasts for more than a day and a half of moderate use. OnePlus continues to include chargers with their devices, and the Nord CE 3 Lite comes with a 67-watt SUPERVOOC Endurance Edition charger. In just 15 minutes of charging, the device gains nearly 30% battery, providing a quick boost when needed.



Verdict: A Balanced Budget Phone with Some Trade-offs

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G delivers several desirable features, including a generous display, long-lasting battery life, an intuitive interface, and the increasingly rare 3.5mm headphone jack. However, the absence of an AMOLED display and the inconsistent photography capabilities prevent it from being a clear winner in the budget phone market.

Pricing and Availability

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is available in two configurations:

  • 8 GB RAM + 128 GB Storage: ₹19,999
  • 8 GB RAM + 256 GB Storage: ₹21,999

Pros:

  • Long-lasting battery life
  • Decent speakers

Cons:

  • Average display
  • Unsatisfactory camera quality

In conclusion, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers a compelling package for budget-conscious consumers seeking a well-rounded smartphone experience. Despite its minor drawbacks, it remains a worthy contender in the mid-range smartphone market.

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