OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Review - Is It Worth Buying?

Two months after the launch of the latest flagship, the OnePlus 11 5G. The Shenzhen-based manufacturer has brought its budget-friendly handset to the Indian market. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G was launched on April 4, 2023, at an affordable starting price of  ₹19,999 and an amazing camera of 108 megapixels.

The budget-friendly smartphone - OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G has a 6.72 inch LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor. This handset comes with a triple camera setup, highlighted by a massive 108 MP sensor and 8GB RAM + 128GB storage in the base variant. The top variant comes with 8GB RAM + 256GB storage at an impressive price of ₹21,999, available on sale on the official OnePlus website, amazon and other retail stores by April 11.

Hereby sharing the newly launched OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G review in detail with the purchasing guide.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Features

Besides being a budget-friendly smartphone, OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G is power-packed with amazing features listed below:

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G - Unboxing

On unboxing the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, we found a pouch containing a transparent silicon case, stickers, and some paperwork. Below the cardboard pouch, we found our device and charger with the traditional red cable. OnePlus claims to provide a 67W charger while we found an 80W super fast VOOC charger in the box, which was quite surprising to see. 

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G - Display, Design And Build Review

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite comes with a 6.72 inches IPS LCD display having decent viewing angles. OnePlus smartphones generally have AMOLED displays, but in this handset, they have downgraded it to cut down the overall cost. The smartphone features a density of 392 pixels per inch and a peak brightness of 680 nits helping you view the display in the sun. Moreover, the display is bezel-less with a punch hole and has an 86.68 screen-to-body percentage.

The height, width and thickness of the phone are 6.52 inches, 2.99 inches, and 0.33 inches respectively with a weight of 195 grams. However, the phone feels heavier in hand compared to traditional smartphones. OnePlus is known for its premium build quality which is somewhat missing in this smartphone because the plastic back panel does not give a premium touch. The pastel lime colour variant is quite unique and attractive while the chromatic grey variant is similar to any other smartphone.

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Performace Review

While assessing the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G, we found that it is running on the same processor that was used in the predecessor Nord CE 2 Lite - Qualcomm Snapdragon 695. The performance is pretty good, barely showing any lag or hang in normal usage. We even tested it by running multiple applications in the background and found that SD695 is pulling it off, however, frame drops are clearly visible while gaming. 

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Battery Review

The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G comes with a huge 5000 mAh battery and an 80W charger in the box. In the charging test, the phone went to 65% in 30% which is 15% less than what the company claims. Moreover, the battery is lasting for more than a day without using 5G capabilities due to its enhanced optimisation. 

Is OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G Worth Buying In 2023?

When compared to the predecessor the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G does not have any upgrades in display and processing power. You only get a basic smartphone with the branding of OnePlus that can be used for daily activities. Should you still buy it? Being a OnePlus fan, you can definitely invest in this mid-range smartphone. However, if you are not a OnePlus lover, you can look for other phones like Moto G82 or Redmi Note 12.