Over All Rating 2/5
PROS 👍
- AMOLED Display
- Reliable Battery
CONS 👎
- Processor
- Plastic Build
The latest offering from OnePlus in a budget segment is the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G. The little sibling of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is priced at ₹19,999, and like every youngest member of the family, one can not have high expectations (in terms of features) from this device. The CE 4 Lite smartphone aims to strike a balance between cost as well as performance and promises to deliver more bang for your buck. Let’s get into the details.
Here's an in-depth review of OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G
Design
Sticking to the familiar Nord design inspo, the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G features a plastic build framed by aluminium. While the phone feels solid in hand, the rounded edges sometimes make it less comfortable to grip. We reviewed the grey variant, which exudes a sleek yet sturdy appearance. However, the back is a magnet for smudges and requires frequent cleaning. The rear houses two camera sensors within a slim cylindrical module, while a punch-hole camera dominates the front side. The right side hosts the power button and volume rockers, while the left side holds the SIM tray. The bottom of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite features a 3.5mm headphone jack, a Type-C USB port and a speaker grille.
Display
One of the standout features of the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is its upgraded 6.67-inch AMOLED display that comes with a resolution of 1,080×2,400 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display of the CE 4 Lite offers vibrant colours and smooth scrolling. With 100% sRGB and Display P3 colour gamut support, the display looks sharp and vivid. It also handles various lighting conditions well, thanks to its impressive peak brightness of 2,100 nits. Certified for HD playback on Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, the display ensures an enjoyable viewing experience.
Camera
The camera setup sees some changes with a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 16MP front-facing camera. Although the main sensor has lower megapixels compared to the 108MP sensor in the previous model, it delivers improved performance. Photos are rich in colour with good saturation and white balance, though some images may appear oversharpened. The new sensor excels in low-light conditions, capturing more light and reducing noise, but it struggles in very dark environments.
Performance
Under the hood, the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC, the same processor as its predecessor. Available in 8GB RAM with either 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, the phone offers reliable performance for everyday tasks. The Adreno 619 GPU handles graphics, supporting moderate to high-quality gaming with occasional frame rate drops on more demanding titles. The GPU score of the GeekBench tests stood at 1459, which indicates a decent performance for casual gaming and media consumption.
Battery
The Nord CE 4 Lite 5G packs a 5,500mAh battery, offering all-day power with moderate use. Its 80W fast charging capability ensures the battery can be fully charged in 40-50 minutes. While extended usage can cause the device to heat up, the overall battery performance is robust and reliable.
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is a strong contender in the mid-range smartphone market, offering significant upgrades like the AMOLED display and improved camera performance. Its competitive pricing at ₹19,999 makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious buyers. While an upgraded processor would have been a welcome addition, the phone still delivers solid performance for its price point. If you’re in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone with a vibrant display and reliable battery life, the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is worth considering.