The mid-segment is getting more and more competitive by the day. New devices get launched almost every other week, turning the segment in a smartphone warzone. Adding to this already long list of devices is the latest offering from OnePlus — the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.
The Nord CE range has been known to offer very good hardware at surprisingly affordable prices and OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite follows this philosophy. Starting at Rs 19,999, the smartphone comes with a 6.7-inch full-HD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, a 108-megapixel main sensor, a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging with a compatible charging brick in the box, stereo speakers, expandable memory and Android 13 topped with the popular, clean OxygenOS.
All this in a design with a different, Pastel Lime green shade (there is a grey shade too, but it is the green one that will make folks go green with envy).
While all these features help the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite stand tall and proud in the segment, there are a few features that leave it vulnerable as well. The fact that the phone has an LCD display and a relatively old processor — the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 powering it, those decorational 2-megapixel secondary cameras on the triple camera set up on the back, and the absence of dust and water resistance, put the phone on slightly shaky ground.
So, notwithstanding its impressive specs, the Nord CE 3 Lite finds itself surrounded by some formidable competition.
Here are five smartphones that can prove to be pains in the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite’s smartphone-y neck:
Redmi Note 12 5G: A Note-Worthy Competitor
Price: Rs 17,999 onwards
There was a time when the Redmi Note series seldom stepped beyond the Rs 10,000 mark. But the Redmi Notes of today are different and have managed to not only cross that mark but even the Rs 20,000 one.
Redmi released the Redmi Note 12 series this year and the most affordable one of the range is the basic, suffix-less Redmi Note 12 5G.
With a starting price of Rs 17,999, the Redmi Note 12 5G has a few specs-aces up its sleeve. It brings a bright and vivid 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, which makes the one on the Nord CE 3 Lite look washed out.
While the design of the Note 12 might seem slightly dated, the phone comes with IP53 rating which the Nord CE 3 Lite lacks.
The Note 12 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4 Gen 1 processor which is a much newer chip than the Snapdragon 695 on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite and has almost comparable power.
It also comes with a handy enough 8-megapixel ultrawide camera on the back which is definitely better than the token pair of 2-megapixel shooters the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Having said this, there are areas where the Nord CE 3 Lite has an edge over the Note 12. The base variant of the Note 12 comes with 4 GB RAM and maxes out at 6 GB, both of which fall short in front of the 8GB RAM on the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. The Nord CE Lite also has the latest version of Android and a very clean interface while the Note 12 still runs on Android 12 and a relatively more cluttered MIUI 13.
The CE 3 Lite comes with faster charging support at 67W as compared to the 33W fast charging support on Note 12. The presence of stereo speakers and a higher 108-megapixel count on the main sensor also gives the Nord CE 3 Lite a good lead over the Redmi Note 12, but we can see AMOLED display fans staring wistfully at the Note 12.
iQoo Z7: Scoring On Camera And Processor
Price: Rs 18,999 onwards
iQoo might be a relative newcomer to the Indian smartphone market but is making its presence felt in the mid-segment, thanks to devices like the iQoo Z7. There are quite a few spec fronts where the iQoo Z7 beats the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.
The most notable one is the processor. The iQoo Z7 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 920 chipset which is a much better performer than the Snapdragon 695 on the CE 3 Lite.
The Z7 also boasts a much more punchy and vibrant AMOLED full-HD+ display, its 64-megapixel main sensor is backed by OIS, which is a rarity in this price segment.
That said, the iQoo Z7 does lose in a few spec-categories to the Nord CE 3 Lite. It comes with a smaller 6.38-inch display with 90Hz refresh rate, a lower count of 64 megapixels on the main sensor, lacks stereo speakers, and has a smaller battery of 4,800mAh that charges at a relatively slower 44W. The slightly dated design, especially with the water drop notch might also disappoint some people.
While both smartphones run on Android 13, many might not prefer the hectic FunTouchOS on the iQoo Z7 as compared to the cleaner OxygenOS on the Nord CE 3 Lite.
However, the AMOLED display, more powerful processor and the presence of a camera with OIS, do make it a formidable challenger to the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Moto G73: Hello, Moto With Clean Android And Good Specs
Price: Rs 18,999
The spec sheets of the Moto G73 and the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite are similar in more ways than one. Both phones come with an LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB RAM, 5,000mAh battery capacity, stereo speakers, and operate on Android 13.
But the Moto G73 has an upper hand over the Nord CE 3 Lite in some departments. The Moto G73 comes with a more powerful MediaTek Dimensity 930 chipset and also boasts IP52 dust and water resistance. The stereo speakers on the Moto G73 come with Dolby Atmos, giving the phone a sound edge (pun intended) over CE 3 Lite, and it also has a handy 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor.
Those who like the clean, stock Android-like interface of the Nord CE 3 Lite would love the stock Android UI on the Moto G73. But it is not completely a one-sided game. The Nord CE 3 Lite is backed by a faster charging speed of 67W as opposed to 30W on the Moto G73 and also comes with a bigger 108-megapixel main sensor than the Moto G73 which has a 50-megapixel main sensor (although a very good one).
Samsung Galaxy A23 5G: For Galaxy fans
Price: Rs 22,999 onwards
For those who prefer going with a brand that has been in the market for almost forever, the Samsung Galaxy A23 is a great option.
The phone twins with the CE 3 Lite in quite a few spec sections. Both phones are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, have an LCD display with 120Hz refresh rate, 5,000mAh battery to take them through the day and run on Android 13.
But there are a few dissimilarities too. The Galaxy A23 comes with a 50-megapixel main sensor which may not be as high a number as the 108-megapixel one on the Nord CE 3 Lite, but is paired with OIS which can prove to be a game changer, especially in low light photography and video.
There is also a usable 5-megapixel secondary ultrawide sensor. And while its OneUI interface might seem more cluttered than Oxygen OS, Samsung’s track record of Android updates is an impressive one. The phone, however, comes with a single speaker, comparatively slow charging (25W) and an 8-megapixel selfie sensor which isn’t very impressive either.
It is also a little expensive at Rs. 22,999 but it is an excellent option for those who ‘heart’ Samsung.
Poco X5 Pro: A Lot More For A Few More Bucks
Price: Rs 22,999 onwards
The Poco X5 Pro might seem slightly pricey, but is easily the most well specced and powerful device in the list. The phone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 778 processor which is one of the most capable processors in this segment and can even offer a decent enough high-end gaming experience.
It also has a 6.67-inch full HD+ Flow AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which is significantly better than what the Nord CE 3 Lite offers. It matches the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite key departments.
It too comes with a 5,000mAh battery with support for 67W fast charging support, stereo speakers, a 108-megapixel main sensor (and a useful 8-megapixel ultrawide sensor too, which the Nord CE 3 Lite lacks), and a 16 megapixel front-facing camera.
It even has a bright yellow colour option, which is as distinct as the Nord CE 3 Lite’s lime green, although it comes with IP53 dust and water resistance, giving it an edge over the OnePlus. The only area where the Poco X5 Pro loses to the Nord CE 3 Lite is the software.
The Poco X5 Pro runs on Android 12 which is a bit disappointing considering Android 13 has been around for quite some time now. That apart, the Poco X5 Pro is a power-packed option for those willing to spend a few extra bucks.
(Note: The prices mentioned in the article have been taken from different online and offline retailers at the time of writing and are subject to change)