OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G
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OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Starting at
£170.00
OnePlus Nord CE 5G
Starting at
£270.00What's the difference between the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and OnePlus Nord CE 5G?
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs 5G comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Refurbished, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite starts at £170, £100 less than the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is the newer model, released in 2022.
Refurbished from
Chipset
Battery
Screen size
Screen type
Refresh rate
- Chipset: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G.
- The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
- The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a bigger screen: 6.59 inch vs 6.43 inch.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G specs
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and OnePlus Nord CE 5G each offer distinct strengths for different users. The Nord CE 3 Lite has a larger battery and screen with a higher refresh rate, making it suited for those who prioritise longer use and smoother display performance. It also supports expandable storage via microSDXC and is physically larger and heavier. The Nord CE 5G features a Fluid AMOLED screen that delivers richer colours and deeper contrast, along with a more powerful chipset that may appeal to users looking for a balance of speed and screen quality. It is more compact and lighter, with a high-quality main camera that still differs in megapixels from the Nord CE 3 Lite. Both have 8 GB RAM and unlocked 5G support, fitting various needs around performance and network compatibility.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G price
Colour
- GreySold out
- BlueSold out
Storage
- 128GBSold out
- 128GBSold out
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G battery life and software updates
Battery capacity and operating system are key to how long each phone lasts on a charge and what software experience you get. The Nord CE 3 Lite has a larger battery, which affects everyday use.
Battery Capacity
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a 5000 mAh battery, which suits users who want longer battery life between charges, especially for heavy use or long days away from power. The Nord CE 5G has a 4500 mAh battery, which still supports extended use but with slightly less capacity.
Operating System
This means the software experience will be similar, with no difference in update support between the two.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Year of release
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G performance
Performance depends mainly on the chipset and RAM. Both phones have 8 GB of RAM, which keeps everyday apps running smoothly. The chipsets differ in generation and architecture, which may influence how each handles processing tasks.
Chipset Differences
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite uses the Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G chipset built on a 6 nm process. This is designed for efficient 5G performance and smooth multitasking. The Nord CE 5G has the Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G chipset with an 8 nm process, which still delivers good speed and responsiveness. Users focused on efficiency and newer chipset design may prefer the Nord CE 3 Lite, while those wanting a tried chipset with balanced performance may lean towards the Nord CE 5G.
RAM and Storage
Both devices come with 8 GB of RAM, keeping apps and multitasking responsive. Storage options stocked are 128 GB for both, which is plenty for most everyday users to store apps, media, and files.
Chipset
RAM
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G screen
Screen size, type, resolution, and refresh rate shape your viewing experience. Both phones offer a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels, but differ in screen technology and refresh rate, affecting colour quality and smoothness.
Screen Size
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a 6.59 inch screen, providing a larger viewing area that suits video watching and browsing. The Nord CE 5G has a slightly smaller 6.43 inch screen, which may feel more comfortable for one-handed use or smaller pockets.
Screen Type
The Nord CE 3 Lite uses an IPS LCD screen, which offers good colour accuracy and visibility in various lighting. The Nord CE 5G features a Fluid AMOLED screen, known for deeper blacks and more vibrant colours, enhancing media and gaming experiences.
Refresh Rate
The Nord CE 3 Lite has a 120 Hz refresh rate, making animations and scrolling feel smoother and more responsive. The Nord CE 5G has a 90 Hz refresh rate, which still improves fluidity over standard 60 Hz screens but is less smooth than 120 Hz.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G camera
Camera specifications influence image quality, especially for detail and clarity. Both phones have the same front camera resolution, but their main cameras differ in megapixels, affecting how much detail pictures can capture.
Front Camera
Both the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and Nord CE 5G have a 16 megapixel front camera, suitable for clear selfies and video calls.
Main Camera
The Nord CE 3 Lite offers a 108 megapixel main camera, which captures a high level of detail and is ideal if you want to zoom in or crop photos without losing clarity. The Nord CE 5G has a 64 megapixel main camera, still capable of detailed photos but with fewer pixels.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G size and design
This section covers physical size, weight, SIM and storage options, and network compatibility. These factors affect daily handling, expandability, and network use.
Size and Weight
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is larger at 165.5 mm tall, 76 mm wide, and 8.3 mm thick, weighing 195 g. It suits users who prefer a bigger phone and do not mind extra weight. The Nord CE 5G is smaller and lighter at 159.2 mm tall, 73.5 mm wide, 7.9 mm thick, and 170 g, which may be easier to hold for smaller hands or carry comfortably.
Storage Expansion
The Nord CE 3 Lite supports microSDXC cards, letting you expand storage beyond the built-in 128 GB, which is useful if you store many photos, videos, or files.
SIM and Network
Both phones support dual physical SIM cards and 5G mobile networks, giving you flexibility with carriers and fast network speeds. Both are sold unlocked, so you can choose any compatible network.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite or OnePlus Nord CE 5G: which should you buy?
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £170, £100 less than the OnePlus Nord CE 5G
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.59 inch vs 6.43 inch)
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5G if
- you want an OLED screen
- you want a lighter build (170 g vs 195 g)
What our customers say
Customers of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite generally appreciate its condition and performance, with some noting occasional issues with the touch panel but overall satisfaction with the phone's functionality. Several mention being happy with the device and its condition, though a few feel the price is a bit high. The larger battery and screen size often suit users who want longer use and better media viewing.
Reviews of the OnePlus Nord CE 5G highlight its speed and 5G support compared to other phones, with many users praising the camera and display condition. Some mention minor marks or scratches that are not very noticeable. The phone's light weight and compact size are appreciated, though a few users note SIM card connection issues. Battery life concerns were mentioned but generally users are pleased with the value and performance. The camera and screen quality receive positive remarks.
Overall, the Nord CE 3 Lite suits those looking for a larger phone with a bigger battery and expandable storage, while the Nord CE 5G appeals to users who value a compact design with a vibrant AMOLED screen and balanced performance.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 5G FAQs
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs 5G comes down to the chipset, battery and screen size. Chipset: Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) on the OnePlus Nord CE 5G. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is cheaper refurbished, from £170 compared with £270 for the OnePlus Nord CE 5G.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite has a higher-resolution main camera: 108 megapixels vs 64 megapixels.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite adds a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500 mAh), a bigger screen (6.59 inch vs 6.43 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 90 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £100 less (from £170 vs £270).
Both come in 128GB refurbished.
