• Vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.
• Long-lasting 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging.
• 50MP main camera with OIS for steady and sharp photos.
• Clean and intuitive OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14.

OnePlus has once again thrown its hat into the budget smartphone ring with the Nord CE 4 Lite.

As the successor to the popular Nord CE 3 Lite, this new offering aims to strike a balance between affordability and feature-rich performance.

But does it live up to the OnePlus legacy? There certainly seems a bit of an overlap in specs like the processor.

What kind of incremental changes make the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite worth it?

Let’s dive in and find out if this budget warrior can hold its own in the fiercely competitive sub-20K segment.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Pros and Cons

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Key Specs

• 6.67-inch AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate
• Snapdragon 695 processor
• 50MP main camera with OIS
• 8GB RAM + 256GB Storage
• 16MP front camera
• 5,500mAh battery
• 80W fast charging
• Android 14 with OxygenOS 14
• IP54 water/dust resistance

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Unboxing: No Frills, All Thrills

Cracking open the box, you’re greeted with the usual OnePlus fare – a sleek device nestled in red packaging.

The phone comes with a hefty 80W SuperVOOC charger, a USB-C cable, and a clear case for those who like to play it safe.

No earphones in sight, but hey, it’s 2024 – we’re all about those wireless buds now, right? In any case, the unboxing for the CE 4 Lite is a highly standard OnePlus affair.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Unboxing Video 

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Design and Display: AMOLED Dreams and Plastic Fantastic

The Nord CE 4 Lite’s crown jewel is undoubtedly its 6.67-inch AMOLED display.

This is one of the few upgrades over the predecessor.

It’s like OnePlus heard our collective sighs and finally decided to bless the budget line with those deep blacks and punchy colors.

With a 120Hz refresh rate and a whopping 2100 nits peak brightness, scrolling through your Instagram feed or battling it out in BGMI feels smoother and more vibrant than most budget phones out there.

While the phone’s build is primarily plastic, OnePlus has worked some magic to make it feel more premium than its price tag suggests.

The back panel sports a glass-like finish that’s smoother than any of the previous CE series phones out there.

Available in Mega Blue, Grey, and Orange, it’s a fingerprint magnet, but that’s what the included case is for, right? Anyway, I have the Orange variant and it looks as pretty as a picture.

At 8.1mm thick and weighing in at 191 grams, the Nord CE 4 Lite is comfortable to hold and doesn’t weigh down your pockets like some of its chunky competitors.

Alas, the beloved alert slider is still MIA on this Lite model.

Maybe it’s off on a vacation with the missing headphone jack from flagship phones.

Speaking of jacks, the 3.5mm audio port is still here, ready for your wired earphone needs.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Cameras: Jack of All Trades, Master of Some

OnePlus has taken a step back from the megapixel race, opting for a 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor instead of last year’s 108MP shooter.

But don’t let the numbers fool you – this new sensor is the one you should be looking out for. It’s larger, sharper, and has a wider aperture to let in more light.

In well-lit conditions, the Nord CE 4 Lite captures images with a warm, saturated look that’s more Instagram-ready than some would like but I think that users who prefer natural colours could be a bit on the fence about this.

The OIS helps keep things steady, though sharpness can be as inconsistent as your gym routine.

When the sun goes down, the camera starts doing the limbo – how low can it go? In dim lighting, it manages to capture decent shots, but in truly dark conditions, it struggles a lot.

Details get soft, and colors start to look as confused as a chameleon in a bag of Skittles.

The 16MP front camera is about the same as all the previous selfie shooters that OnePlus has shipped out.

It doesn’t go overboard with skin smoothing, keeping things natural.

The portrait mode edge detection is so good, that it could probably separate your ex from your group photos if you asked nicely.

There are some extraneous shooting modes that you can tinker around with but let’s be serious, in your hands the device is going to largely be used as a point-and-shoot device.

To that end, the device is highly serviceable in sufficient lighting.

Video capabilities max out at 1080p at 30fps, which isn’t quite the best given its 2024. The quality is serviceable, but don’t expect to be the next Spielberg with this setup.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Night Video

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Day Video

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Night Samples

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite DayLight Samples 

Camera Comparison: Nord CE 4 Lite vs Nord CE 4

OnePlus Nord CE 4

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite

Comparing the picture quality of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite to the Nord CE 4, marked differences come out, especially in versatility and detail.

As mentioned above, the Nord CE 4 Lite comes with a primary 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor that captures sharp, vivid images on its own in good lighting conditions.

This goes a notch further in the Nord CE 4 with an additional 50MP Sony IMX 890 sensor.

In well-lit conditions, the Nord CE 4 Lite captures images with a warm, saturated look that’s more Instagram-ready than some would like.

The OIS helps keep things steady, though sharpness can be as inconsistent as your gym routine.

The Nord CE 4’s ultra-wide lens also provides an advantage in capturing more dynamic shots, especially in landscape and architectural photography.

In terms of low-light performance, the Nord CE 4 Lite struggles more compared to the Nord CE 4.

The latter benefits from improved image processing and better overall sensor quality, resulting in clearer and more detailed photos when the lighting is less than ideal.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Performance and Features: The Little Engine That Could

Under the hood, the Nord CE 4 Lite packs the same Snapdragon 695 chip as its predecessor.

Figuratively OnePlus has decided to keep the engine but give the car a new paint job. For everyday tasks, it purrs along nicely, handling social media, video streaming, and light multitasking with ease.

When it comes to gaming, the Nord CE 4 Lite is more of a casual player than a pro gamer.

It can handle titles like BGMI on medium settings, but don’t expect it to be your weapon of choice in competitive esports.

OnePlus has sprinkled in some nifty features such as an IR blaster and IP54 water resistance.

It’s not exactly submersible, but it should survive an accidental splash or two – just don’t take it snorkeling.

There’s a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio enthusiasts and a stereo speaker for those who want to listen without it.

Finally, authentication is done via the in-display fingerprint sensor

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Software and Battery: OxygenOS Oasis and Endurance Champion

Running on OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14, the software experience is clean and intuitive.

It’s a zen garden in a world of cluttered UIs. With two years of OS updates promised, your phone won’t be left in the software dust anytime soon

You can trust OnePlus to keep bringing software updates as quickly as possible.

Beyond that there is the usual suite of OxygenOS features that will make your life easier.

The 5,500mAh battery is the unsung hero here.

It’s a sizeable capacity cell with go. With moderate use, you’re looking at a solid day and a half of juice.

The 80W fast charging is the cherry on top, getting you from zero to hero in about 50 minutes.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Final Verdict: The Budget Phone That Punches Above Its Weight

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is the underdog of the burgeoning sub-Rs 20,000 segment – it might not have the fanciest pedigree, but it’s got heart.

With its gorgeous AMOLED display, capable main camera, and marathon battery life, it offers a compelling package for budget-conscious buyers.

Sure, it’s not perfect. The low-light camera performance could use some work, and the processor, while reliable, isn’t exactly cutting-edge.

But for everyday users who want a taste of the OnePlus experience without breaking the bank, the Nord CE 4 Lite delivers.

In a world of flashy spec sheets and gimmicky features, this phone focuses on what matters most – a solid user experience.

It’s not trying to be the best at everything, but rather the best at being good enough for most people.

So, if you’re in the market for a budget phone that doesn’t feel budget, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite might just be what you’ve been looking for – not too expensive, not too basic, but just right.

How Does the Nord CE 4 Lite Stack Up to Other Nord Phones?

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, Nord CE 4, and Nord CE 3 Lite each cater to different segments within the mid-range and budget smartphone market, offering a range of features and performance levels.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs. Nord CE 4

Both the Nord CE 4 Lite and Nord CE 4 flash their screens with lively AMOLEDs, while only the former walks away with the more powerful Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, compared to only a Snapdragon 695 on the Lite.

This gives a bump needed in performance, especially gaming and using many apps at the same time.

The Nord CE 4 comes with a dual camera setup, more versatile due to an additional 8MP ultra-wide camera that just cannot be fitted into the Lite version.

Other areas include peak brightness, which can be even higher, while HDR has become better for more immersive media consumption.

On the other hand, battery capacity and fast charging will remain the same.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs. Nord CE 3 Lite

Though it comes with incremental upgrades compared to the Nord CE 3 Lite, it offers a brighter AMOLED display with its refresh rate and peak brightness maxed out at 120Hz.

Though there is a 50MP main sensor at the back, which is down from the 108MP on the CE 3 Lite, the improvements in image processing and stabilization are there in the Nord CE 4 Lite.

On the very same Snapdragon 695 processor, it comes with the promise of appreciably better battery life and times for the software on Android 14-based OxygenOS 14.

My Mobile India Rating

• Design – 4 / 5
• Display –  4 / 5
• Camera – 3.5 / 5
• Performance 3.5 / 5
• Features 3.5 / 5
• Software 4 / 5
• Battery 4 / 5
• Overall 4 / 5

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5 Reasons to Buy:

• Vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 2100 nits peak brightness. Offers an immersive viewing experience rarely found at this price point.
• Large 5,500mAh battery paired with 80W fast charging. Provides excellent battery life and quick recharge times for worry-free daily use.
• Capable 50MP main camera with OIS for steady shots. Takes Instagram-ready photos in good lighting conditions.
• Clean and intuitive OxygenOS 14 based on Android 14. Offers a bloat-free experience with promise of two years of OS updates.
• Premium-feeling design despite plastic build. Looks and feels more expensive than its actual price tag.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 3 Reasons not to buy:

• Uses the older Snapdragon 695 processor from previous models.  May not be the best choice for heavy gaming or future-proofing.
• Struggles with low-light photography.  Night shots and dim indoor photos may disappoint camera enthusiasts.
• Lacks some features like an ultra-wide camera or 4K video recording.Missing some versatility compared to other options in this price range.

Top 5 Alternatives to the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite

OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G

• Price: Rs. 24,999
• Display: 6.7 inches FHD+, AMOLED, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
• Processor: Octa core (2.63 GHz, Single Core + 2.4 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core) Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery: 5500 mAh with Super VOOC Charging
• Camera: 50 MP + 8 MP Dual Primary Cameras, 16 MP Front Camera

POCO X6 5G

• Price: Rs. 20,699
• Display: 6.67 inches FHD+, AMOLED, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
• Processor: Octa core (2.4 GHz, Quad Core + 1.95 GHz, Quad core) Snapdragon 7s Gen 2
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 256 GB
• Battery: 5100 mAh with Turbo Charging
• Camera: 64 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP Triple Primary Cameras, 16 MP Front Camera

iQOO Z7 Pro

• Price: Rs. 23,999
• Display: 6.7 inches FHD+, AMOLED, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
• Processor: Octa core (2.63 GHz, Single Core + 2.4 GHz, Tri core + 1.8 GHz, Quad core) Snapdragon 7 Gen 3
• RAM: 8 GB
• Storage: 128 GB
• Battery: 5500 mAh with Super VOOC Charging
• Camera: 50 MP + 8 MP Dual Primary Cameras, 16 MP Front Camera

OnePlus Nord 3 5G

• Price: Rs. 24,589
• Display: 6.74-inch, 1240×2772 pixels
• Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 9000
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
• Rear Camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP

Nothing Phone 2a

• Price: Rs. 23,999
• Display: 6.70-inch, 1080×2412 pixels
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Battery Capacity: 5000mAh
• Rear Camera: 50MP + 50MP
• Front Camera: 32MP

FAQs

Q1: What are the standout features of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite?

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite comes with a vibrant 6.67-inch AMOLED display, a 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging, and a 50MP main camera with OIS, making it a strong contender in the budget smartphone market.

Q2: How does the camera on the Nord CE 4 Lite perform in low-light conditions?

The 50MP main camera with OIS performs well in well-lit conditions, but it struggles in low-light environments. Details can become soft, and colors may appear less accurate.

Q3: Is the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite suitable for gaming?

Yes, the Nord CE 4 Lite can handle casual gaming well, especially on medium settings. It provides smooth gameplay for popular games like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile, though it may experience minor frame drops during intensive sessions.

Q4: What is the battery life like on the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite?

The Nord CE 4 Lite features a 5,500mAh battery that can last up to a day and a half with moderate use. The 80W fast charging capability ensures the phone charges quickly, reaching full charge in about 50 minutes.

Q5: Does the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite come with a 3.5mm headphone jack?

Yes, the Nord CE 4 Lite includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who prefer wired audio connections.

Read More : OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 4: A Detailed Comparison

Read More: OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G Launched in India with Snapdragon 695, 50MP Sony LYT-600 Camera: Pricing, Features, Specs

Read More: OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: A Detailed Comparison

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