OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite: Hands-On Review and Pricing

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is the latest budget-friendly addition to the Nord lineup, aiming to provide essential smartphone features at a more accessible price point. This model introduces several upgrades, particularly in display and battery life, while maintaining the signature Nord design.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite: Hands-On Review and Pricing

Design and Display:

The Nord CE4 Lite boasts a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, a significant upgrade from its predecessor’s LCD screen. The AMOLED panel offers vibrant colors and deep blacks, paired with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth visuals for gaming and media. With a peak brightness of 2100 nits, the display is bright enough for most lighting conditions, although it can struggle under direct sunlight.

Performance:

Powering the device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, which has been a staple in the Nord Lite series. This chipset, while reliable, is somewhat dated for 2024, especially considering newer budget phones have moved to more powerful processors. The phone comes with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage, providing ample space for apps and media.

Camera:

The camera setup includes a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The main camera captures decent photos with good color accuracy in well-lit conditions but might struggle in low light. The front camera is a 16MP sensor that delivers solid selfies with accurate skin tones. While the camera system is functional, it doesn't offer significant advancements over the previous model.

Battery and Charging:

Battery life is one of the standout features of the Nord CE4 Lite. It comes with a substantial 5500mAh battery (5110mAh for international versions), ensuring long usage times. The phone supports 80W fast charging, allowing a full charge in about 52 minutes, which is impressive for this segment.

Software and Features:

Running on OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14, the Nord CE4 Lite provides a clean and responsive user experience. It includes a few pre-installed apps, which can be uninstalled if not needed. The phone also features under-display fingerprint sensing and stereo speakers, enhancing the overall usability and audio experience.

Pricing:

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is priced competitively, starting at around $249 in the US. In India, it is expected to be available for approximately ₹19,999, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers looking for a well-rounded device.

 Pros:

- Bright and Smooth Display: AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate.

- Strong Battery Life: Large 5500mAh battery with fast charging.

- Clean Software Experience: OxygenOS 14 is user-friendly and responsive.

 Cons:

- Outdated Chipset: Snapdragon 695 feels dated compared to newer budget processors.

- Basic Camera Setup: Camera capabilities are adequate but not groundbreaking.