The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G: A Budget-Friendly Nord With Some Compromises?
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, with its sub-Rs. 25,000 price tag, carved a niche for itself as a solid mid-range all-rounder. Now, OnePlus has introduced the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, a more budget-friendly version aimed at attracting even more price-sensitive customers. But with this focus on affordability, have certain features been sacrificed, or has OnePlus successfully managed to maintain a good balance? Let’s dive into my initial impressions to explore what the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G has to offer.
Design and Display: A Familiar Look with Some Tweaks
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G in its Blue Tide finish immediately evokes the familiar Nord aesthetic. While not a solid shade of blue, the color beautifully shifts from a vibrant sky blue to a yellowish hue under different lighting conditions. The camera module area sports a textured finish, offering a touch of distinction. For those who prefer a more subtle look, the Black Dusk variant boasts a matte finish reminiscent of the iconic sandstone texture found on the original OnePlus One.
The phone’s back panel, with its curved sides, effectively masks its thickness. Even though it weighs in at 195g, it feels comfortable in hand due to its flat frame and nicely rounded edges. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner, conveniently placed in a small groove on the right, ensures easy accessibility. The volume buttons and the SIM tray reside on the left side of the device.
The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G packs a large 6.59-inch LCD display with a refresh rate of 120Hz and a 240Hz touch sampling rate. This combination promises smooth scrolling and responsive touch interactions. While the bezels on the sides are thin, the top and bottom bezels are slightly thicker. The front camera is housed within a punch-hole cutout positioned in the top-left corner.
Camera: A Step Backward?
The camera system on the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G marks a departure from its predecessor. You’ll find a 64-megapixel main camera with EIS, a 2-megapixel depth camera, and a 2-megapixel macro camera. However, the absence of an ultra-wide camera is a noticeable omission, especially considering its presence on the Nord CE 2 5G. This could potentially limit your photographic capabilities in certain scenarios.
Performance and Software: A Solid Combination
Under the hood, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 SoC. This chipset has proven its mettle in other devices like the Vivo T1, Moto G71 5G, Redmi Note 11 Pro+ 5G, and Realme 9 Pro 5G, demonstrating its ability to deliver smooth performance. In terms of connectivity, the phone supports Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, and five 5G bands. It also features a hybrid dual-SIM tray, allowing you to choose between a second SIM or a microSD card.
Software-wise, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G runs on Oxygen OS 12.1, built upon Android 12. This user interface brings a plethora of new features and customization options. My initial impressions reveal a clean and intuitive experience, but a full review will explore the software in greater detail. The unit I received was running the March 2022 Android security patch. OnePlus has pledged to provide two major Android updates and three years of security updates, which should give the device an edge over the competition in terms of long-term support.
Battery Life and Charging: A Quick Charge and Long Endurance
While my testing phase has only just begun, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G shows great promise. It boasts a substantial 5000mAh battery and supports 33W SuperVOOC fast charging. This combination suggests the potential for impressive battery life and rapid charging times. The full review will delve deeper into evaluating these aspects.
First Impressions: A Promising Budget Device
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G, although a watered-down version of its predecessor, holds its own in the competitive budget smartphone market. The device boasts a compelling design, a large and responsive display, a solid chipset, and a potentially impressive battery life. However, the absence of an ultra-wide camera is a notable omission, and its impact on the overall camera experience remains to be determined.
While the focus on affordability has led to some compromises, the Nord CE 2 Lite 5G appears to be a promising budget-friendly option for those seeking a well-rounded smartphone with good performance. Stay tuned for the full review, where we will thoroughly inspect the camera performance, battery life, and overall user experience.
