After spending considerable time with the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, I’m genuinely impressed by its value proposition. It’s a budget-friendly 5G smartphone that doesn’t compromise on essential features. Here’s my detailed review based on my personal experience.
Design & Build: A Simple Yet Functional Design
The Nord CE 2 Lite sports a simple yet functional design with a plastic back and frame. While the plastic build might not scream premium, it feels sturdy and comfortable to hold. The phone is available in Blue Tide and Black Dusk colors, both of which look decent. The side-mounted fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable. The overall design is minimalistic and practical, making it a good fit for everyday use.
Display: A 120Hz Refresh Rate for a Smooth Experience
One of the most notable features of the Nord CE 2 Lite is its 6.59-inch IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This high refresh rate ensures a noticeably smoother and more responsive experience compared to traditional 60Hz displays. Scrolling, gaming, and watching videos feel incredibly fluid. The 1080p resolution is sharp, and the colors are reasonably vibrant. However, the display’s brightness could be better in direct sunlight.
Performance: Snapdragon 695 5G for Everyday Tasks
The Nord CE 2 Lite is powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, making it a capable performer for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging. It can handle some light gaming, but don’t expect it to run graphics-intensive games smoothly at high settings. The phone comes with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, ensuring decent multitasking capabilities.
Camera: Decent for Casual Photography
The triple rear camera system consists of a 64MP main sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. The main sensor captures decent photos with good detail and colors in well-lit conditions. The depth sensor helps with portrait shots, but the macro lens is more of a novelty than a useful tool. Low-light performance is average, as expected at this price point.
Battery Life: A Marathon Runner
The 5000mAh battery is the star of the show, easily lasting for two days with moderate use. Even with heavy use, you can still get through a full day without needing to recharge. This impressive battery life makes the Nord CE 2 Lite a reliable companion for those who are always on the go. The phone supports 33W SuperVOOC fast charging, which can replenish the battery from 0 to 50% in just 30 minutes.
Software & User Experience: OxygenOS with Bloatware
The Nord CE 2 Lite runs OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12, offering a clean and intuitive interface. However, like other OnePlus phones, it comes with some pre-installed apps (bloatware) that some users might find annoying. OnePlus promises two major Android updates and three years of security updates, which is decent for a budget phone.
Connectivity & Additional Features: 5G and Expandable Storage
As the name suggests, the Nord CE 2 Lite supports 5G connectivity, making it future-proof for faster data speeds. It also has a microSD card slot for expandable storage, which is a welcome addition for users who need more space for photos, videos, and apps. Additionally, the phone features a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Buying Recommendation
Who’s it for?
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a great option for budget-minded users who prioritize battery life and a smooth display experience. It’s also a good choice for those who want to experience 5G connectivity without breaking the bank.
Pros:
- Exceptional battery life
- Smooth 120Hz refresh rate display
- Decent performance for everyday tasks
- Affordable 5G connectivity
- Expandable storage and headphone jack
Cons:
- Average camera performance, especially in low light
- Plastic build
- No wireless charging
- Some bloatware
Overall:
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is a compelling budget smartphone that offers great value for its price. Its standout features include a smooth 120Hz display, long-lasting battery, and 5G connectivity. While it has some shortcomings, it’s a worthy contender in the budget segment.
Export to Sheets
| Feature | Specification | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | OnePlus | |
| Model | Nord CE 2 Lite 5G | |
| Release Date | April 2022 | |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 75.6 x 8.5 mm | |
| Weight | 195 g | |
| Battery | Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable | |
| Colors | Blue Tide, Black Dusk | |
| Display | IPS LCD, 6.59 inches, 120Hz | 1080 x 2412 pixels |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G | |
| CPU | Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | |
| RAM | 6GB/8GB | |
| Storage | 128GB | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Rear Camera | Triple: 64 MP (wide) + 2 MP (depth) + 2 MP (macro) | |
| Front Camera | 16 MP | |
| OS | Android 12 | OxygenOS 12.1 |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.2 |
Roshan Kumar Sahoo is a multifaceted journalist with expertise in entertainment-related news, sports , tech, and international relations. His ability to navigate these diverse fields allows him to provide readers with a rich blend of content, from the latest entertainment buzz to cutting-edge sports technology and insightful analysis of global affairs. Roshan’s writing is characterized by its depth, accuracy, and engaging style, making him a trusted voice across multiple domains.
