OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite review
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a budget-friendly smartphone that offers impressive features at an affordable price point. However, its performance is hindered by an outdated processor, which makes it struggle with demanding tasks. One of the phone's standout features is its display, which boasts excellent brightness and color accuracy. The design and build quality are also noteworthy, with a sleek and premium-looking finish available in various colors. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel primary sensor that takes impressive photos in good lighting conditions, although low-light shots leave something to be desired. Battery life is another highlight, with the phone offering long-lasting performance even with heavy use. Charging speeds are also swift, making it easy to top up the battery when needed. Unfortunately, the Nord CE4 Lite's limitations are more pronounced than its strengths. The Snapdragon 695 processor is woefully underpowered, leading to laggy performance and slow app launching times. This is particularly noticeable in demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. Other drawbacks include the lack of NFC, an ultra-wide-angle camera, and noise cancellation capabilities on the microphone. Video recording is limited to 1080p at 30fps, which is subpar compared to other phones in this price range. Priced starting at ₹20,000, the Nord CE4 Lite feels overpriced considering its performance limitations. There are better options available in this budget segment that offer more value for money. Ultimately, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite's shortcomings make it a hard sell for those seeking a reliable and powerful smartphone experience. While it may appeal to casual users who prioritize display quality and camera capabilities, others may find themselves frustrated by its performance limitations.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite boasts an impressive build quality and design that's hard to ignore. The device's sleek and premium look is achieved through its smooth and compact frame, making it a joy to hold and use. The phone's exterior is clad in a durable glass back with a subtle matte finish, which provides a comfortable grip while minimizing fingerprints. The phone's dimensions are perfectly proportioned, with the edges slightly tapered towards the corners, creating a seamless fusion of form and function. The power button and volume controls on the right side are precisely placed for easy access, adding to the device's ergonomic appeal. OnePlus has also done an excellent job in crafting a visually appealing design that stands out from its competitors. The phone's back features a gorgeous gradient finish with an eye-catching color palette that shimmers under different light conditions. This attention to detail showcases the manufacturer's dedication to delivering a premium product that exudes style and sophistication. Upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that the Nord CE4 Lite has been crafted with precision and care. The phone's construction feels solid and sturdy, with no creaks or wobbles when subjected to gentle pressure. This kind of attention to detail is often overlooked in budget-friendly devices but is a testament to OnePlus' commitment to delivering exceptional quality. In terms of design choices, the phone's minimalist aesthetic will appeal to those who prefer a clutter-free look and feel. The clean lines, precision-cut edges, and seamless glass back make for an excellent package that won't overwhelm or compromise on functionality. Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite's build quality and design are major selling points that set it apart from its peers in this price segment. If you're after a phone that looks great, feels premium, and provides a solid user experience without breaking the bank, then the Nord CE4 Lite is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a mid-range smartphone that has garnered attention for its impressive battery life. With a 5000mAh battery, this device is designed to keep up with your busy lifestyle without needing frequent recharges. In my experience, the Nord CE4 Lite's battery life is indeed exceptional. I was able to use it throughout the day without running out of power, even with heavy usage including gaming and video streaming. The phone's power-efficient processor and optimized software also contribute to its impressive battery performance. The phone's charging speed is another notable feature. With a 30W charger, you can quickly top up your battery when needed. I was able to go from 0 to 80% in just 45 minutes, which is incredibly fast for a mid-range smartphone. While the Nord CE4 Lite has its drawbacks, its battery life is undoubtedly one of its strongest selling points. If you're in the market for a phone that can keep up with your demands without needing constant recharging, then this device should definitely be on your shortlist.
Display
The display on the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a notable highlight of this device. It boasts a 6.43-inch AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. The screen is vibrant and colorful, making it perfect for consuming media content. One of the standout features of the display is its refresh rate. With a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, scrolling through apps and browsing the web feels incredibly fluid. This level of responsiveness makes a significant difference in daily use, especially when navigating between different screens or using the device's gesture-based navigation system. The display also supports HDR10+, which adds to the viewing experience. The colors are rich and detailed, making it perfect for watching movies or TV shows. Additionally, the screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing a decent level of protection against scratches and drops. In terms of brightness, the Nord CE4 Lite's display is adequate but not exceptional. While it can get quite bright in well-lit environments, it might struggle to compete with other devices that offer higher peak brightness levels. Overall, the display on the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a solid performer. It offers a great viewing experience, excellent color accuracy, and smooth refresh rates. However, its average brightness level holds it back from being truly exceptional.
Camera
The camera on the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a mixed bag. The primary 50-megapixel sensor with an f/1.8 aperture is quite good in well-lit conditions, producing sharp and detailed images. It's also capable of taking some nice photos in low-light environments, although these tend to be slightly softer. OnePlus has opted for Sony's IMX600 sensor, which is a decent choice for a mid-range phone. The camera can handle portrait mode shots reasonably well, too, with a pleasant bokeh effect and acceptable edge detection. However, there are some limitations to the Nord CE4 Lite's camera capabilities. The main camera can only record video at 1080p 30 FPS, which is underwhelming considering the phone's overall performance. This means that users will have to make do with relatively low-quality video, especially in situations where higher frame rates would be beneficial. The macro camera, on the other hand, seems like an afterthought, with a resolution of just 2 megapixels. Given its limited capabilities, it's unlikely to find much use. Overall, while the primary sensor is capable and produces some excellent photos, the Nord CE4 Lite's camera system feels somewhat lacking in various areas. The lack of support for higher frame rates and the unimpressive macro camera are notable drawbacks. It's worth noting that the front-facing 16-megapixel selfie camera is decent, though it may not be as impressive to users who expect more from their smartphone cameras. Considering the Nord CE4 Lite's price point and overall performance, it would have been nice to see a more comprehensive camera system. As it stands, the phone's capabilities in this area are somewhat overshadowed by its other features and the competition from rival devices in the same category.
Price and Value
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is an underwhelming experience in terms of value for money. With a price starting at ₹20,000, the phone fails to deliver on its promises, especially considering the competition in the budget segment. One of the major issues with the Nord CE4 Lite is its outdated processor, the Snapdragon 695. This old chip struggles to keep up with modern-day demands, resulting in sluggish performance and lags. While it may be suitable for light users who only need to browse, email, and social media, it's a major letdown for anyone looking for a seamless experience. The lack of NFC, ultra-wide-angle camera, and 1080p 60 FPS video recording capabilities are also notable omissions at this price point. The absence of noise cancellation microphone is another missed opportunity. These features are now considered basic in the budget segment, making the Nord CE4 Lite feel like a compromise. In comparison to other phones in its price range, such as the POCO X6 and Vivo IU Z9, the Nord CE4 Lite falls short. These devices offer better performance, cameras, and features at similar prices. It's clear that OnePlus has prioritized design over substance with this device. Given the high asking price of ₹20,000 to ₹23,000 for 128 or 256 GB storage variants, it's difficult to justify buying the Nord CE4 Lite. If you're in the market for a budget phone, there are better options available that offer more value for your money. Our recommendation would be to look elsewhere and save yourself the disappointment of this underwhelming experience.
Performance
The performance of the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is its most significant letdown. Powered by an outdated Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, this phone falls short in terms of processing power and efficiency. Despite boasting 8GB of RAM, the device struggles with multitasking and app opening times are not as snappy as one would expect. The processor's age shows in its performance, particularly when it comes to demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. Games that should run smoothly on a mid-range device stutter and lag, making for an unpleasant experience. Even basic operations like switching between apps can be sluggish at times. Moreover, the phone's ability to handle 4K recording is nonexistent, with the main camera limited to 1080p 30 FPS video. This is particularly disappointing considering the high-quality camera sensor used in the device. Low-light photography also suffers due to the outdated processor, resulting in grainy and lackluster images. In terms of overall performance, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite feels like a phone from last year's mid-range lineup. It's not that it's completely unusable, but for a device priced at ₹20,000 or more, one would expect better. The PO X6 and IU z9, among other devices in this price range, offer superior performance, making the Nord CE4 Lite feel like an underpowered option. Overall, while the phone has its strengths elsewhere, its performance issues make it difficult to recommend for those seeking a seamless and efficient user experience.
Pros
1. The display is a highlight of this phone, with vibrant colors and crisp details.
2. The camera performs well in good daylight conditions, capturing nice photos with minimal noise.
3. The battery life is satisfactory, lasting a day with moderate use, and the charging speed is quick.
Cons
1. The processor is outdated and underpowered, struggling to handle demanding tasks or multitasking.
2. The phone lacks basic features like NFC, ultra-wide-angle camera, and noise cancellation microphone.
3. Video recording capabilities are limited to 1080p at 30fps, which is disappointing for a mid-range device.