OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Vs OnePlus Nord 3: Which Budget OnePlus Phone Should You Buy in 2024?

When one looks for a budget OnePlus phone, the first thing that comes to mind is the Nord CE Lite series. The recent launch of the Nord CE4 Lite 5G expands the brand's affordable options, especially around Rs 20,000.

If you are looking for a OnePlus phone to buy in 2024 without breaking the bank, besides the Nord CE4 Lite, the Nord 3, despite being a year old, at the current price is also an excellent choice. This analysis will help you choose the right one between the latest Nord CE4 Lite and the dated Nord 3.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Vs OnePlus Nord 3: Price

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite starts at Rs 19,999 for the 8GB/128GB model, while the Nord 3 is now available starting at Rs 21,755 for the 8GB/128GB version. For the unaware, it was launched at Rs 33,999 in the country.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Vs OnePlus Nord 3: Display and Design

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite and Nord 3 both feature punch-hole displays, but the CE4 Lite has a glossy plastic back panel, while the Nord 3 sports a matte finish. The Nord CE4 Lite also has a thicker bezel compared to the Nord 3.

Both devices have similar screen sizes and 120Hz refresh rates; however, the Nord 3 boasts a 'Super Fluid' AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution (2772 x 1240 pixels), while the Nord CE4 Lite impresses with its peak brightness level of 2,100 nits.

While both models provide good content consumption experiences, the Nord 3 stands out with its dual-stereo speakers featuring Dirac drivers and Dolby Atmos support. On the other hand, the Nord CE4 Lite has an advantage for those who prefer wired headphones, as it includes a 3.5mm audio jack. Overall, the choice depends on individual priorities, such as display quality, audio performance, or headphone compatibility.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Vs OnePlus Nord 3: Performance

Starting with the OnePlus Nord 3, which comes with the Dimensity 9000 SoC paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. While the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite features the Snapdragon 695 SoC, the same is available in the Nord CE3 Lite. The phone just comes with 8GB of LPPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

Though the latest Nord CE4 Lite is capable of handling games, the same Snapdragon 695 SoC-powered phone one can get for less than Rs 15,000.

However, there is an additional storage expansion option for people who want more space. On the other hand, the Nord 3 stands out with its large vapour chamber; however, it misses out on a microSD card.

If you are a gaming enthusiast, considering Nord 3 can be a wise decision; however, if you want more space with decent gameplay, can go for the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Vs OnePlus Nord 3: Camera

For imaging, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G features a dual-camera setup including a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor with OIS support and a 2MP depth sensor.

On the other side, Nord 3 has a triple rear camera system comprising a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor, an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro camera. Up front, both Nord phones get a 16MP selfie camera.

The Nord 3 also supports 4K video recording, which misses out on the Nord CE4 Lite. You can check our Nord 3 review to know the camera capabilities in detail.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite Vs OnePlus Nord 3: Battery and Software

Both models come with 80W charging support; however, the Nord CE4 lite has a slightly larger 5,500 mAh battery. On the software front, the Nord 3 was announced with Android 13-based OxygenOS 13.1 and OnePlus promises three years of major software updates and four years of security updates.

On the other side, the Nord CE4 Lite runs Android 14-based OxygenOS 14. However, OnePlus doesn't share any word regarding future software updates.

Verdict

Both phones have good features for their asking prices. However, the Nord 3 can now be a good deal for Rs 21,755. It's also worth mentioning this price might be for a limited period as the phone is selling for Rs 33,999 on the official site.

On the other side, the Nord CE4 Lite offers decent features compared to its pricing. However, it could have been better in some aspects including performance and camera. Ultimately, the choice depends on priority. We recommend you take a look at the other options in the same price segment before choosing one.