Key Highlights
- Affordable: First OnePlus smartphone priced under Rs. 20,000
- Display: 6.59-inch LCD with 120Hz refresh rate
- Performance: Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset
- Battery: 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging
- Software: Runs Oxygen OS 12.1 based on Android 12 with promised updates
OnePlus recently expanded its affordable Nord series with the launch of the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. The smartphone runs the Oxygen OS 12.1 based on Android 12 OS. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset powers the phone. It comes in two variants: the 6GB base variant and the 8GB model.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is the watered-down version of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 that released in February 2022. So, naturally, some things are missing on the Nord CE 2 Lite that is present on the Nord CE 2 including an AMOLED display, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and an ultrawide lens. We got the opportunity to use the phone for some time and here’s our review.
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| Pros | Cons |
| Long-lasting 5,000mAh battery with 33W fast charging | Lacks AMOLED display |
| 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling | No ultrawide camera lens |
| Affordable price | Missing in-display fingerprint sensor |
What’s Inside The Box?
- OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G.
- 33W SUPERVOOC power adapter.
- USB Type-C charging cable.
- TPU silicone case.
- SIM ejector tool.
- Pre-applied screen protector.
- Quick start guide.
- Safety information and warranty card.
Design
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is a well-built smartphone. It has got flattened edges on all four corners while the sleek design gives it a classy appeal. The front panel of the phone has a punch hole cut-out placed in the top left corner. The back of the phone has the vertical camera island on the upper left. The lower bottom has a gradient matte-mix texture which is smooth to touch. The protruding camera system includes triple sensors. The power button is placed on the right panel and integrates the fingerprint scanner. It is quick and reliable with device unlocking. The SIM tray and the volume rockers are on the left panel. The speaker grille, USB Type-C charging connector, and 3.5mm audio port are located at the bottom.
Display
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G sports a 6.59-inch LCD screen that supports FHD+ resolution. The panel looks quite colorful. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate, making it good for smooth scrolling and gaming. It offers maximum screen space with the thin bezel profile. If you are frequent with online streaming, the Widevine L1 certifications come in picture here. It lets you stream FHD videos at OTT platforms including both Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
The panel is bright and offers swift colors. Though, we have to admit that it missed the punchiness of an AMOLED display. We had no issues using the phone’s display in general. It is adequate for watching videos and is readable outdoors under the direct sunlight. Color reproduction on the panel is satisfactory for gaming and video playback.
Processor and Software
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset. The handset features the Adreno 619 GPU for graphics. It is adept at handling general tasks such as texting and calling. During our usage, we didn’t face any stutters or lags during general usage. We received the Nord CE 2 Lite’s 6GB RAM for review. The handset also supports 5GB of virtual RAM which supplements additional up to 13GB RAM. It comes with 128GB of internal storage which can expand with a microSD card.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite comes pre-installed with Android 12 OS topped with OxygenOS 12.1 UI. The new user interface provides a fresh look along with enhanced privacy and security features. The new OxygenOS 12 comes with an improved dark mode and enhanced data privacy. We didn’t experience any visible lag with the handset throughout our usage. Games and other heavy apps also run smoothly. Besides, two major Android updates are promised by OnePlus along with three years of security updates.
Camera Performance
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is equipped with a triple rear camera setup that features a 64MP primary sensor with EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization). It also features a 2MP depth camera along with a 2MP macro lens. The absence of an ultrawide lens is felt at this price point. If the phone packed an ultra-wide sensor instead of a dedicated macro lens, it might have been one complete package. The smartphone sports a 16MP Sony IMX471 sensor selfie camera. Both the primary rear and the selfie cameras can shoot in 1080p vdieos@30 fps.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G comes with tons of camera features including Slow-Motion, AI Scene Enhancement, Dual-View Video, Nightscape mode, HDR, Portrait Mode, Retouching, and Panorama. During daylight, the smartphone’s primary camera does well with capturing clarities. We tried outdoor shoots and saw a good amount of color accuracy and details. Portraits shots offer decent blur effect.
Coming to the selfies, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G does well with selfies. The selfies during daylight have decent details and the skin tone is well maintained. Overall, the camera performance of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is decent for general photography.
Battery
A 5,000mAh battery powers the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite that supports 33W fast charging. The battery is efficient in day-to-day use. The device can easily last around 8-9 hours. Our usage has been video playback, gaming, and general web browsing. The 33W SUPERVOOC charger is capable of quickly charging the phone. The smartphone gets a refuel under an hour.
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OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite: What We Think
The Nord CE 2 Lite is the first OnePlus smartphone priced under Rs. 20,000. Considering its price, the device offers all-around performance. While it excels in general user performance, there are some shortcomings with the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G. The phone’s display has a 120Hz refresh rate but it lacks HDR capabilities. But that’s not a major drawback and can be worked with in general scenarios. In our opinion, the Nord CE 2 Lite is a well-built phone that you can consider if you have budget constraints.
