OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Review: Does it Deliver on Performance and Price?

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is an affordable phone that improves slightly on its predecessor but still fails to stand out. While it now has a brighter AMOLED screen (a big step up from the LCD), it’s smaller than before. Camera has also dropped from 108MP to 50MP but new one actually performs better, though pictures still lack vibrant color.

Other upgrades include faster charging, a larger battery and small perks like Aqua Touch (which makes phone easier to use with wet hands), under-display fingerprint scanner and IP54 water resistance rating. However, it keeps the same sluggish chipset, average selfie camera and plasticky build.

These tweaks bring it closer to what you’d expect for price but it’s still not enough to make the phone a standout recommendation.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Specification

Feature	Details
🌐 Network	GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
📅 Launch	Announced: June 24, 2024 Released: July 02, 2024
📏 Body	Dimensions: 162.9 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm Weight: 191 g SIM: Dual SIM (Nano-SIM) Water Resistance: IP54 (dust & splash resistant)
📱 Display	Type: AMOLED, 120Hz Size: 6.67 inches Resolution: 1080 x 2400 pixels
⚙️ OS & Chipset	OS: Android 14, OxygenOS 14 Chipset: Snapdragon 695 5G
💾 Memory	Storage: 256GB RAM: 8GB Card Slot: microSDXC (shared slot)
📸 Main Camera	50 MP (wide) + 2 MP (depth) Video: 1080p@30fps
🤳 Selfie Camera	16 MP Video: 1080p@30fps
🔊 Sound	Stereo speakers 3.5mm Jack: Yes 🎧
🌐 Connectivity	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1, NFC, USB Type-C 2.0
🔋 Battery	5110 mAh Charging: 80W fast charging, 5W reverse charging
🎨 Colors	Super Silver, Mega Blue
💲 Price	$459.00 / £235.00 / €269.99

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Price and Availability

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite was announced in June 2024 and is priced at £299 (around $380 or AU$580). It’s currently available in the UK but there’s no release planned for the US. It might come to Australia in future as CE 3 Lite is available there. While it’s a budget-friendly option, it was quickly overshadowed by launch of the more premium OnePlus Nord 4 a month later.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Simple and Functional Design

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has a straightforward design that doesn’t stand out but gets the job done. Available in blue and silver, it has a plastic body that helps keep the weight down to 191g, making it feel light but not premium. Measuring 162.9 x 75.6 x 8.1mm, it’s a large phone, typical of many budget Android devices.

While the plastic build might not feel luxurious, it does offer durability. Phone has IP54 rating which means it’s protected from dust and splashes but not fully waterproof so it’s best to keep it away from water.

Buttons are well-placed, though volume rocker on right can be hard to reach with one hand due to phone’s size. However, power button is easily accessible. There’s a USB-C port and 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom but you won’t find alert slider like on some other OnePlus models.

Back features two circular camera housings which look larger than they are due to a reflective panel. They don’t protrude much so phone stays mostly flat when placed on surface.

Design is simple and practical. You won’t find any flashy extras, but everything you need is there and minimal design avoids unnecessary distractions or features that might get in the way. It’s not phone that will win design awards but it does what it’s supposed to do—keep things functional and user-friendly.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Display Overview

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display improvement over previous model’s LCD. It has 1080×2400 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, offering clear and smooth visuals. While display meets expectations for phone in this price range, it’s not particularly bright or vibrant compared to more expensive models.

One unique feature is Aqua Touch which allows screen to respond well even when your hands are wet, making phone easier to use in rainy conditions or in shower.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Software Overview

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite runs on OxygenOS 14.1 which is based on Android 14. OnePlus promises two years of software updates (up to Android 16) and three years of security updates. While it’s not longest support, it’s decent for budget phone.

OxygenOS is popular for its clean and user-friendly interface offering unique fonts and a distinct style while keeping things simple to navigate. It also includes handy features like Zen Space which helps you focus by locking your phone and many customization options.

However, phone comes with some pre-installed apps like LinkedIn, Netflix, Facebook and Amazon Shopping. While these aren’t too intrusive, it’s something to keep in mind if you prefer bloat-free experience.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Camera

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has a 50MP main camera, 2MP depth sensor and 16MP front camera. While cameras get the job done, they aren’t anything special. Main camera takes clear pictures but colors can look a bit dull and contrast sometimes struggles. 2MP depth camera doesn’t seem to add much to experience.

Photos are fine for everyday use but don’t expect stunning shots. There’s no ultra-wide or telephoto lens so zooming is limited to 10x digital zoom which still offers decent detail. The front camera also produces clear selfies, though they’re not very vibrant and sunlight can easily cause overexposure.

Camera modes include basics like portrait, night, and panorama, while video recording is capped at 1080p at 30fps. There’s also a handy magic eraser feature for removing unwanted objects from photos but it works best with simple edits due to the phone’s processing limitations.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Performance and Audio

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite uses the Snapdragon 695 processor which is common in budget phones. While this chip isn’t very powerful, it gets the job done for everyday tasks. However, if you’re playing high-end games, you might notice some lag, stuttering or delays in response during intense gameplay. Phone scored 1,968 in Geekbench 6’s multi-core test which isn’t fast, but it’s similar to other phones in this price range.

Like the previous model, Nord CE 4 Lite has 8GB of RAM, but now it comes with 256GB of storage, which is a nice upgrade. You can store more apps, photos, and videos without worrying about running out of space.

For audio, phone includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is great if you prefer wired headphones. Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity is slightly behind more modern standards like 5.2 or 5.4 but most users won’t notice a big difference unless they’re far away from their phone. Stereo speakers are decent for casual listening but they don’t deliver high-quality sound. They’re good enough for voice notes and social media videos but for music or movies they may feel a bit tinny.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Battery Life

One of the best features of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is its battery. With a 5,110mAh capacity, it easily lasts over a day of regular use. Whether you’re checking your apps or gaming all day, the battery holds up well. In heavy use, you’ll still have about 25% left by the second day. While it’s not likely to last two full days without charging, it performs impressively for its price range.

Charging is fast too, thanks to the 80W charging capability. You can go from zero to full in just over 30 minutes, but you’ll need to have a compatible charger, as only a USB-A to USB-C cable is included in the box. The phone also supports reverse charging, allowing you to charge other devices using the phone’s battery. Just remember you’ll need a USB-C cable or adapter depending on what device you’re charging.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Value for Money

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite delivers what you’d expect from a budget phone. Its performance, screen, battery life, and camera quality are all in line with the price tag. If you’re looking for an affordable phone that covers the basics, this is a solid choice.

That said, if you’re willing to spend a bit more, there are better options with more power, improved cameras, and faster processors. But for the price, the Nord CE 4 Lite offers good value without leaving you feeling shortchanged.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite Pros and cons

✅Pros	❌Cons
🏎️ Quick charging	📸 Images lack vibrancy
🌊 Aqua Touch feature for wet use	🎨 Common design
🎧 Includes a headphone jack	⚙️ Underwhelming processor

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Conclusion

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite has all the features of a budget phone including a large battery, a big screen and slow app loading times. While it offers some improvements over the previous model, it doesn’t really stand out among other affordable Android phones.