The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is a compelling addition to the mid-range smartphone market, delivering a well-rounded package that caters to users seeking a powerful device without breaking the bank. In this review, we’ll delve into the device’s features, performance, and overall value, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.
What do you get in the box for the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite
OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G
Type-A to C Cable
Quick Guide
Welcome Letter
Safety Guide
Screen Protector (pre-applied)
SIM Tray Ejector
OnePlus RCC Card
Design and Build Quality
The Nord CE 4 Lite 5G sports a sleek and modern design that feels comfortable to hold and use. Its plastic back panel doesn’t feel cheap, and the device’s overall construction feels solid and durable, aided by its IP54 dust and splash resistance rating. The phone’s weight is well-distributed, making it easy to use for extended periods without discomfort.
The device features a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The display’s colors are vibrant and punchy, with a peak brightness of 2100 nits making it enjoyable for watching videos and playing games even in direct sunlight.
Performance and Software
Under the hood, the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. This combination delivers smooth and snappy performance in most everyday tasks, including web browsing, social media, and light gaming. The phone can handle more demanding games, but you might experience some occasional frame drops or stutters.
The device runs on OxygenOS 14, which is based on Android 14. OxygenOS offers a clean and intuitive user interface with plenty of customization options. OnePlus has a good track record of providing software updates, so you can expect to receive regular security patches and new features.
Camera Capabilities
The Nord CE 4 Lite 5G features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. The primary sensor captures detailed photos with good dynamic range in well-lit conditions, aided by PDAF and OIS. However, low-light performance is less impressive, with images exhibiting noise and loss of detail.
The 2MP depth sensor helps create a natural bokeh effect in portrait shots.
The phone’s 16MP front-facing camera takes decent selfies with good skin tones and detail. However, it struggles in low-light conditions, producing soft and noisy images.
Samples
Battery Life and Charging
The Nord CE 4 Lite 5G boasts a large 5110mAh battery that easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy usage. You can comfortably browse the web, watch videos, and play games without worrying about running out of power.
The phone supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, which can replenish the battery from 0 to 100% in just 50 minutes. This is incredibly convenient for those who need a quick top-up before heading out.
Additional Features
The Nord CE 4 Lite 5G retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare in modern smartphones. This is a welcome feature for those who prefer wired headphones.
The device also features an under-display fingerprint sensor that is fast and reliable. Additionally, the phone supports face unlock, which is convenient but less secure than fingerprint authentication. The Nord CE4 Lite also has NFC for contactless payments.
Pros
- Powerful performance for everyday tasks
- Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display with high peak brightness
- Long-lasting battery with incredibly fast charging
- Clean and customizable software
- Retains 3.5mm headphone jack
- IP54 dust and splash resistance
Cons
- Average camera performance, especially in low light
- Limited secondary camera functionality
Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is a solid mid-range smartphone that offers a compelling combination of performance, features, and value. Its strengths lie in its vibrant display, long-lasting battery, fast charging, and clean software experience. However, the camera performance, particularly in low light, leaves some room for improvement.
If you’re looking for a powerful and affordable smartphone with a good overall package, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G is worth considering, available in Mega Blue and Super Silver, available from OnePlus for £249.99 at the time of writing normal RRP is £299.99.
TNC Score
4.4/5.0
