OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G Review

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G Review

When I was offered to review the new OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G, a sense of The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is the latest addition to the Nord series, a lineup of budget-friendly smartphones that aim to offer a premium experience without breaking the bank. With a price tag of PHP 17,999, it’s remarkably close to its global SRP, making it an attractive option for those looking for a affordable smartphone.

However, as we dive deeper into the device’s features and performance, we can’t help but wonder if OnePlus’ choice of chipset is a compromise too far… for some consumers.

Display

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it good for watching videos or playing games. The screen is bright and vibrant, with a peak brightness of 2100 nits, ensuring that it’s visible even in direct sunlight.

The display also features a 20:9 aspect ratio and 395 ppi density, making it crisp and clear. If you’re planning to use this device for everyday media consumption, you will be satisfied with this device’s performance.

Hardware

Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

While the Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset, it’s the same one used in the Nord CE 2 Lite, which raises questions about the device’s performance and future-proofing. The chipset features 2 cores Kryo 660 Gold (Cortex-A78) at 2200 MHz and 6 cores Kryo 660 Silver (Cortex-A55) at 1800 MHz, which should provide a smooth experience, but may struggle with demanding tasks.

Given its installed chipset, I managed to compare its performance to both low and high midrange devices. While not all users would mind the type of chipset installed on the device they are buying, some definitely put huge deal about it. I totally understand that, especially if you’re posed to use this for about 2 years and upgrade to a better device.

Performance

In our experience, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite performed admirably, handling everyday tasks with ease. However, when pushed to its limits, the device showed signs of struggle, particularly with demanding games and multitasking. The performance benchmark scores were also average, with an AnTuTu score of 465,498, which is mostly higher than some of its competitors.

Benchmark

My benchmark comparison slates for the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G are two-pronged: (1) comparing to low-midrange devices; and (2) comparing to high-midrange devices. This gives users two ways to show how this phone stacks to some devices/chipsets in the market. It also shows another facet where its price is a little disappointing especially if you’re looking at devices by TECNO or HONOR.

It is quite unfortunately, however, that this phone’s performance is marred by its dated chipset. Then again, if it isn’t something that you mind and you consider yourself a fan of the brand, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G is considerably an acceptable purchase. If you’re after price to performance, it is hard to recommend this device given the plenty of choices in the market.

Camera

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite features a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, which is capable of taking good photos. The camera also features a 2MP mono camera, which helps with portrait mode and bokeh effects. The camera app is intuitive and easy to use, with features like night mode, pro mode, and slow-motion video recording.

Sound

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite features dual stereo speakers, which provide an immersive audio experience. The device also supports 300% ultra volume mode, which can be useful in loud environments.

Additionally, the device features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a welcome addition for audiophiles. The combination of the following allow me to listen to my favorite tracks on this device: Apple Music for hi-res lossless streaming; USB Audio Player Pro for playing my FLAC records; and my favorite IEM – Truthears Hexa. While this may not have the necessary sound drivers to further customize and maximize my listening experience, it is more than enough for me to listen to my music collection.

Pricing

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is priced at PHP 17,999, which is remarkably close to its global SRP. While the price is attractive, we can’t help but wonder if OnePlus compromised on the chipset to keep the price low. The device is available in two color options: Super Silver and Mega Blue, and comes with a free pair of Bluetooth earbuds, a power adaptor, and a phone case.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G is a mixed bag, offering a premium experience at an affordable price. While the device’s display, camera, and sound are impressive, the choice of chipset is questionable. The Snapdragon 695 is a capable chipset, but it’s not the most powerful or future-proof option available. Additionally, the device’s performance benchmark scores are average, which may be a concern for some users. However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with a premium experience, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is worth considering.

Specifications

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is a solid budget-friendly smartphone that offers a premium experience. However, the choice of chipset is questionable, and the device’s performance benchmark scores are average. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartphone with a premium experience, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is worth considering, but if you’re looking for a device with a more powerful chipset, you may want to look elsewhere.

Giancarlo Viterbo

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Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.