OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G: Unboxing, First Impressions, and Features

February 19, 2024
Posted by Naazneen sohrab

Introduction

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is the successor to the highly popular Nord CE 2 Lite, and it is expected to be the highest selling phone under Rs 20K. While the phone has many positive aspects, there are also a few negative aspects that were not included in its design. In this section, we will provide an overview of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, discuss its expectations as the highest selling phone in its price range, mention both the positive and negative aspects, and give our unboxing and first impressions of the device.

Design and Build

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G comes in a sleek and stylish packaging. The box is a black color with the OnePlus logo in blue, giving it a sophisticated look. Inside the box, you will find the phone, along with documentation, stickers, a case, and a 80W adapter for charging.

When it comes to the appearance and materials of the phone, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G impresses with its glass-like look. Although the back is made of plastic, it gives off a premium vibe and resembles a glass back. The frame of the phone is also made of plastic, which helps to keep the weight down.

Speaking of weight, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is surprisingly lightweight. With a 5000mAh battery, you might expect it to be heavy, but it weighs in at just around 180g. The weight distribution is well-balanced, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods of time. The flat sides of the phone also add to its ergonomic design, ensuring that it won't easily slip from your hand.

In terms of overall design and build, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers a premium look and feel, despite its plastic construction. The glass-like back, lightweight design, and ergonomic shape make it a pleasure to use and showcase.

Display and Performance

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G features a 6.72'' IPS LCD display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. It offers a brightness of 680nits, ensuring clear visibility even in bright sunlight. While an AMOLED display would have been preferable, the IPS LCD panel on this device is of good quality, with vibrant colors and good viewing angles.

In terms of display specifications, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G competes well with other phones in its price range. Although some competitors may offer AMOLED displays, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G compensates with its adaptive refresh rate and high touch sampling rate, providing smooth and responsive touch interactions.

Performance-wise, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, which delivers excellent mid-range performance. With an AnTuTu score of 4.20L, it is one of the most optimized 695 SoCs available. This means that you can expect smooth performance and the ability to play demanding games on high settings without any issues.

One notable aspect of the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G's performance is its thermals. Even during intensive gaming sessions, the phone remains relatively cool, indicating effective thermal management. This ensures that the device doesn't overheat and maintains consistent performance.

When it comes to battery life, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G features a 5000mAh battery and a power-efficient 6Nm processor. This combination allows the device to easily last the entire day on a single charge. Additionally, the phone supports 67W charging, which can charge the device from 0% to 80% in about 30 minutes. This makes it one of the faster charging options available in the sub-20K price range.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers a solid display and performance package. While it may lack an AMOLED display, it compensates with its high refresh rate and touch sampling rate. The Snapdragon 695 SoC ensures smooth performance, and the device's thermals and battery life are commendable. For those looking for a reliable and capable mid-range phone, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is definitely worth considering.

Battery, OS UI, and Connectivity

One of the key aspects of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is its battery capacity and charging capabilities. With a 5000mAh battery and support for 67W charging, the device offers impressive battery life and fast charging speeds. Users can expect the phone to easily last the entire day on a single charge, and the fast charging capabilities can charge the device from 0% to 80% in about 30 minutes. This makes it one of the top choices for fast charging options in its price range.

The operating system on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is OxygenOS 13.1, which is based on Android 13. While the exact details about expected updates are not available, it is safe to assume that the device will receive regular software updates and security patches for at least 2-3 years. Users can expect a clean and minimalistic UI with minimal bloatware and a smooth user experience.

In terms of connectivity features, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers dual 4G VoLTE, WiFi calling support, and 5G capabilities. It supports 13 bands, allowing for a reliable and fast network connection. The device also features dual-band WiFi and Bluetooth 5.1 for seamless wireless connectivity.

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G comes with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. It offers 8GB of virtual RAM, allowing for smooth multitasking and app performance. The device has ample storage options with a base variant of 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, and an upper variant of 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.

Multimedia and Camera

When it comes to multimedia consumption, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers a solid display. Although it lacks an AMOLED screen, the IPS LCD display is of good quality. With a size of 6.72'' and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, the display provides smooth visuals and a responsive touch experience. The 240Hz touch sampling rate ensures accurate and precise touch interactions.

With a brightness of 680nits, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G's display offers clear visibility even in bright sunlight. The colors are vibrant and the viewing angles are good, making it an enjoyable experience for watching videos and viewing multimedia content.

Audio quality on the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is decent. It features dual stereo speakers, with one speaker located in the earpiece and another on the bottom of the phone. While the speakers produce decent sound quality, they lack a bit of depth. However, the presence of stereo speakers enhances the overall multimedia experience, especially when using wired earphones with the 3.5mm jack.

Now let's talk about the camera setup on the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. The primary sensor is a 108MP Samsung HM6 sensor, which is known for producing natural colors and sharp images. The sensor offers a good dynamic range and captures details well. However, it's worth noting that the phone does not have an ultrawide lens, which is a drawback compared to some of its competitors.

Despite the absence of an ultrawide lens, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G's camera performance is commendable. It delivers punchy colors, sharpness, and a good level of detail. The camera also supports lossless digital zoom at 1X and 3X, thanks to the higher resolution of the primary sensor.

In terms of video recording, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G supports up to 1080p recording at 30FPS. It lacks 4K recording capabilities due to the limitations of the Snapdragon 695 SoC.

If you want to see sample photos and videos taken with the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, you can check out the G-Drive link provided by the reviewer. It's a great way to get a closer look at the camera's performance in various lighting conditions.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G offers a satisfactory multimedia experience with its quality display and decent audio. While the absence of an ultrawide lens is disappointing, the camera's primary sensor delivers impressive results with vibrant colors and good detail.

Conclusion

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G emerges as a compelling choice in the under-20K price segment, despite a few shortcomings like the absence of an ultrawide camera and an AMOLED display. Its strengths, including robust performance, solid construction, commendable camera quality, and swift charging, overshadow these minor drawbacks. Powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset, it promises smooth operation, effective thermal management, and excellent battery life, making it an attractive proposition. The device's IPS LCD screen, while not AMOLED, impresses with vibrant colors and clear visibility even in bright conditions. Considering its competitive pricing and array of features, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is poised to be a best-seller in 2023, appealing to those seeking a reliable mid-range smartphone.

FAQ

1. Does the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G have an AMOLED display?

No, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is equipped with a 6.72'' IPS LCD display, featuring a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a 240Hz touch sampling rate for smooth and responsive interactions.

2. What are the camera capabilities of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G?

The phone boasts a 108MP primary sensor that delivers vibrant colors, sharp images, and a good dynamic range. Although it lacks an ultrawide lens, it supports lossless digital zoom and captures high-quality photos and videos up to 1080p at 30FPS.

3. How is the battery life and charging speed of the device?

With a 5000mAh battery and 67W fast charging support, the Nord CE 3 Lite 5G ensures all-day battery life and can charge from 0% to 80% in approximately 30 minutes, offering one of the fastest charging experiences in its price range.

4. Can the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G handle gaming and heavy applications?

Yes, thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC and optimized thermal management, the device can smoothly run demanding games and apps, maintaining performance without significant overheating.

5. What operating system does the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G use, and what about software updates?

The device runs on OxygenOS 13.1, based on Android 13, promising a clean UI and minimal bloatware. It's expected to receive regular software updates and security patches for at least 2-3 years.

6. Are there any notable downsides to the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G?

While the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is a solid choice, its lack of an AMOLED display and ultrawide camera lens might be considered drawbacks by some users. However, its overall performance, design, and camera quality offer significant value, making these less of a deal-breaker for many.