OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Review: New Display, Same Chipset

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has arrived in India, succeeding last year’s Nord CE 3 Lite. This latest addition to the OnePlus family boasts some upgraded specifications and a refreshed design. Positioned in the fiercely competitive budget segment, this smartphone competes with others that feature OLED displays, 5G connectivity, and fast charging capabilities. Over the past few days, we’ve put the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite to the test to determine if it has what it takes to stand out.
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Pricing in India

In India, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite starts at Rs. 19,999 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. The 256GB storage model is available for Rs. 22,999. The colour options include Mega Blue, Super Silver, and Ultra Orange.
For this review, the 8GB+256GB variant was provided, including a TPU case, an 80W SuperVOOC charger, a USB Type-A to Type-C cable, and a SIM ejector tool. This comprehensive package ensures that users have everything they need to get started with their new device right out of the box.

Design and Build Quality

The Mega Blue variant of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite features a plastic back panel and flat plastic edges with a metallic finish. The phone’s slightly rounded corners and flat edges offer a comfortable grip. Weighing 191g, the device feels a bit heavy but remains manageable without causing hand fatigue. The smooth, reflective rear panel resists fingerprints and smudges effectively. This model, like its predecessor, has a vertically aligned rear camera setup but now features a new pill-shaped design encompassing the lenses and dual LED flash. At the bottom edge, you’ll find a 3.5mm audio jack, a microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker grille. Another speaker is located on the top edge. The power and volume buttons are positioned on the right side, while the SIM card tray is on the left. The phone is IP54 rated, with the provided cover including inbuilt protection for the audio and charging ports. The IP54 rating ensures the device can withstand splashes of water and dust, offering some peace of mind for everyday usage. The provided TPU case adds an extra layer of protection, making it a handy inclusion for users who want to keep their device in pristine condition.

Specifications and Software

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite introduces two significant upgrades over its predecessor: an OLED display and a primary camera with optical image stabilization (OIS). It features a 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. With automatic brightness enabled, the display reaches up to 1,200 nits, an improvement over last year’s LCD screen model. Powered by the Snapdragon 695 chipset for the third consecutive year, this model includes 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. This combination provides ample memory and storage for most users, ensuring smooth multitasking and sufficient space for apps and media. It runs on Android 14 with OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14 overlay. OnePlus has not yet specified the software support timeline for this device, though the predecessor is slated for two major Android updates and an additional year of security patches. This suggests that the Nord CE 4 Lite will likely receive similar support, keeping it updated with the latest features and security enhancements. Connectivity options remain the same as the Nord CE 3 Lite, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, 5G, 4G LTE, GPS, and a USB Type-C port. However, NFC for contactless payments is not included. This omission might be a drawback for users who frequently use NFC-enabled payment methods.
The battery capacity has increased to 5,500mAh, supporting 80W SuperVOOC charging. This means users can expect longer battery life and faster charging times, making it convenient for those who are always on the go. Thanks to the OLED display, the device now features an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.

Performance

The Snapdragon 695 provides decent performance for everyday tasks, comparable to other budget phones using MediaTek’s Dimensity 7050 chipset. The device can handle popular games and several widely used apps, as long as they are not too resource-intensive. Games like Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Asphalt 9 run well, though BGMI exhibits minor lag in certain scenarios when the phone heats up. Asphalt 9, on the other hand, performs smoothly even after extended gameplay. Benchmark tests show the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite performing similarly to other devices with equivalent chipsets. The stability of OxygenOS 14 on this model is commendable, with smooth app switching and quick loading times. The user interface is intuitive and user-friendly, making it easy for both new and experienced users to navigate the device. Preinstalled bloatware includes Agoda, Bubble Pop, Netflix, Facebook, LinkedIn, Microsoft 365, Myntra, Tile Match, and Word Connect, all of which can be uninstalled. This allows users to free up storage space and customize their devices to suit their preferences.

Display and Battery Life

The AMOLED screen is a significant upgrade from last year’s model, offering a peak brightness of 1200 nits and good outdoor visibility with automatic brightness enabled. The vivid colours and deep blacks provided by the AMOLED technology enhance the viewing experience, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.
In our HD video battery loop test, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite lasted for 22 hours and 17 minutes, with an average screen-on time of around 6 hours per week. Charging the phone to 72% takes about 30 minutes, with a full charge achieved in roughly 55 minutes. This rapid charging capability ensures minimal downtime and maximum usability.

Camera Performance

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite features a dual rear camera setup, including a 50-megapixel primary sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and a 2-megapixel depth sensor with an f/2.4 aperture. While the primary camera's megapixel count is lower than its predecessor, it supports OIS and electronic image stabilization (EIS).
The primary camera captures clear daytime images suitable for social media, though they lack detail upon zooming in. The camera app includes an in-sensor zoom mode for 2x zoom images, which also suffer from detail loss when zoomed in.
The dedicated Night mode enhances low-light photos but must be manually activated. While it improves visibility and detail, the mode takes over a second to capture each image, making it unsuitable for moving subjects. Night mode also excessively smooths images and brightens the sky, which might not always be desirable.
The 16-megapixel front camera captures good selfies in daylight or well-lit indoor environments but struggles with blurry, less vibrant images at night. This makes it ideal for daytime usage, but less reliable for night-time photography.
Video recording is supported at up to 1080p/30fps with both OIS and EIS, but low-light performance is lacking. The front camera also records at 1080p/30fps but without stabilization. This means that while video quality is generally good, users may experience some shakiness when recording in low-light conditions.

Conclusion

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite offers several improvements over its predecessor, notably in the display and primary camera departments. However, it faces tough competition in the sub-Rs. 20,000 segment from both other brands and OnePlus' own older models. The older OnePlus Nord CE 3, with a more powerful processor, often retails below Rs. 20,000 on Amazon.
Considering its competitors, such as the Poco X6 5G and Realme 12+, which feature faster processors and more versatile cameras, it’s challenging to recommend the Nord CE 4 Lite unless you’re specifically seeking a budget OnePlus smartphone. Other alternatives in the same price range include the iQoo Z9, Realme P1 Pro 5G, Vivo T3, and the Tecno Pova 6 Pro.
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite brings some notable upgrades to the table, particularly in terms of display and camera performance. However, the continued use of the Snapdragon 695 chipset may be a point of contention for some users, especially given the availability of faster processors in competing devices. While the Nord CE 4 Lite is a solid choice for OnePlus fans looking for an affordable option, those who prioritize performance might find better value elsewhere.
The improvements in display and battery life are commendable, making the Nord CE 4 Lite a good option for media consumption and general usage. The camera performance, while improved, still leaves room for enhancement, particularly in low-light conditions. Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is a capable device that offers good value for its price, but it’s essential to consider the competition before making a final decision.

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