The OnePlus Nord series has been an exciting addition to the smartphone market, offering a compelling mix of performance, design, and affordability. The latest addition to this lineup, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite, aims to continue this tradition, promising to deliver essential features without breaking the bank. In this hands-on review, we delve into various aspects of the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite, including its design, display, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, and software experience, to see if it lives up to the expectations.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite makes a positive impression with its sleek and modern design. The phone features a minimalist aesthetic, with a matte finish on the back that not only looks premium but also feels comfortable to hold. The plastic back panel is well-constructed and offers a decent grip, reducing the likelihood of accidental slips.
The front of the device is dominated by a large display with minimal bezels, enhancing the overall screen-to-body ratio. The punch-hole cutout for the front camera is positioned on the top-left corner, maintaining the symmetry and aesthetics of the screen. The device is lightweight, weighing in at around 190 grams, making it easy to handle even during prolonged usage.
On the right side of the phone, you’ll find the power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint sensor. The volume rocker is positioned on the left side, providing a familiar and ergonomic layout. The bottom edge houses a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a single speaker grille. While the inclusion of the headphone jack is a welcome feature, the mono speaker setup is a slight letdown compared to the stereo speakers found on some competitors.
Display
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. While it may not boast an AMOLED panel, the display still offers vibrant colors and good contrast levels, thanks to OnePlus’ fine-tuning. The Full HD+ resolution ensures that content appears sharp and detailed, whether you’re browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games.
One of the standout features of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This higher refresh rate provides a smoother and more responsive experience, especially during scrolling and animations. It’s a significant improvement over the standard 60Hz panels found in many budget smartphones. Additionally, the display’s brightness levels are commendable, making it usable even under direct sunlight.
However, the absence of HDR support means that you won’t get the enhanced dynamic range and color accuracy that HDR content offers. This is a trade-off that some users might find acceptable given the device’s price point, but it’s worth noting for those who prioritize display quality.
Performance
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. This mid-range processor ensures that the device can handle everyday tasks with ease, including multitasking, web browsing, and social media usage. In our hands-on experience, the phone performed admirably in most scenarios, with minimal lag or stuttering.
For gaming enthusiasts, the Adreno 619 GPU provides satisfactory performance for casual and mid-tier gaming. Titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile run smoothly at medium settings, although pushing the graphics to high settings can result in occasional frame drops. The 90Hz refresh rate further enhances the gaming experience, providing fluid and responsive gameplay.
The device also features expandable storage via a microSD card slot, allowing users to increase the storage capacity if needed. This flexibility is a plus for those who need more space for apps, photos, and videos.
Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is versatile for its price range, featuring a triple-lens system on the back. The primary sensor is a 64MP lens with an f/1.8 aperture, accompanied by a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there’s a 16MP selfie camera housed within the punch-hole cutout.
In daylight conditions, the primary camera captures detailed and vibrant images with accurate color reproduction. The dynamic range is decent, although highlights can sometimes be slightly overexposed. The AI scene enhancement mode helps in optimizing the settings for various scenarios, resulting in better overall image quality.
The macro lens allows for close-up shots, but its 2MP resolution means that the detail and clarity are limited. It’s a fun addition for occasional use, but not something you’ll rely on frequently. The depth sensor aids in producing good portrait shots with a pleasing bokeh effect, effectively blurring the background while keeping the subject in focus.
Low-light performance is where the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite shows its limitations. While the night mode helps in brightening up the scene and reducing noise, the images lack the sharpness and detail seen in higher-end devices. The front camera performs well for selfies, delivering clear and well-lit images in good lighting conditions. However, in low light, it struggles with noise and reduced detail.
Battery Life
Battery life is one of the strong suits of the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite. The device is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of moderate to heavy usage. This includes activities such as browsing, streaming videos, playing games, and using social media.
The phone supports 33W fast charging, allowing it to recharge from 0 to 70% in about 30 minutes. This is particularly convenient for users who are always on the go and need a quick top-up during the day. However, there’s no support for wireless charging, a feature that is becoming increasingly common in smartphones across different price segments.
Software Experience
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite runs on OxygenOS, based on Android 13. OxygenOS is known for its clean and intuitive interface, offering a near-stock Android experience with some added customizations and features. The software is smooth and responsive, with minimal bloatware pre-installed.
One of the highlights of OxygenOS is the extensive customization options it provides. Users can personalize the look and feel of the device, including themes, icon packs, and accent colors. The inclusion of useful features like the Zen Mode, which helps in reducing distractions, and the Reading Mode, which adjusts the screen for comfortable reading, enhances the overall user experience.
OnePlus has a good track record of providing timely software updates, and the Nord CE4 Lite is expected to receive regular security patches and major Android updates. This ensures that the device remains secure and up-to-date with the latest features and improvements.
Connectivity and Additional Features
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite comes with a comprehensive set of connectivity options. It supports dual-SIM functionality, allowing users to manage two phone numbers simultaneously. The device is also 5G-enabled, ensuring that it is future-proof and ready for the next generation of mobile networks.
Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC, which can be used for contactless payments and other purposes. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack is a boon for audio enthusiasts who prefer wired headphones.
The fingerprint sensor embedded in the power button is fast and reliable, offering a secure and convenient way to unlock the device. Additionally, face unlock is available as an alternative biometric authentication method, and it works well in good lighting conditions.
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a compelling option in the mid-range smartphone market, offering a balanced mix of performance, design, and features at an affordable price. Its sleek design, smooth 90Hz display, reliable performance, and long-lasting battery make it an attractive choice for budget-conscious consumers.
While the camera performance, particularly in low-light conditions, and the lack of stereo speakers are areas where it falls short, these are minor compromises considering the overall package. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack, expandable storage, and 5G support further enhances its appeal.
For those seeking a reliable and stylish smartphone that delivers essential features without breaking the bank, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a worthy contender. It continues the legacy of the Nord series by offering great value for money, making it an excellent choice for a wide range of users.