OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G continues OnePlus’s tradition of delivering balanced performance, smooth display experience, and dependable battery life at an attractive mid-range price. Launched as one of the more affordable 5G phones from OnePlus, this device packs key features like a powerful Snapdragon processor, a large 120 Hz display, and versatile cameras. All wrapped in a well-designed package. Here’s an in-depth review.
Overview – Best For Everyday 5G Users
- Price & Variants: Typically available around ₹19,999 for the 6 GB + 128 GB model and ₹21,999 for the 8 GB + 128 GB version.
- Battery: 5000 mAh with 33 W SUPERVOOC fast charging.
- Display: 6.59″ FHD+ 120 Hz LCD screen.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G.
- Camera: 64 MP AI triple rear & 16 MP selfie.
- Software: OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12 with future update promise.
Design & Display – Big Smooth Screen for Daily Media
The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G sports a large 6.59-inch Full HD+ display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, which makes everyday scrolling, swiping, and animations feel fluid and responsive. The screen uses LCD technology that’s tuned to be energy-efficient for longer battery life.
Despite being an LCD and not an AMOLED panel, the display still delivers crisp visuals and comfortable brightness for watching videos, browsing social media, or playing games. The 120 Hz refresh rate is rare in this category and gives it a smoother feel compared with standard 60 Hz screens.
The Nord CE 2 Lite comes in attractive finishes such as Blue Tide and Black Dusk, which look stylish and resist fingerprints well. The flat design and balanced weight (~195 g) make it comfortable to hold even during extended use.
Performance – Reliable Everyday Power with 5G
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G chipset paired with up to 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB storage (expandable via microSD).
Real-World Performance:
- Daily use: Smooth handling of tasks like messaging, social media, video streaming, and light multitasking.
- 5G connectivity: Future-ready network speeds where 5G is available.
- Light gaming: Casual games run well, though very heavy 3D titles may require lower graphics.
The phone’s processor and RAM combination strikes a good balance between day-to-day responsiveness and power efficiency, ideal for most users who don’t demand flagship-level performance.
OnePlus also uses virtual RAM expansion, converting unused storage into extra RAM to help keep more apps open in the background.
Camera – Versatile Setup for Everyday Shots
The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G features a 64 MP triple rear camera system with a depth sensor and macro lens, paired with a 16 MP front camera.
What You Get:
- 64 MP main camera: Good daylight capture with balanced colours.
- Portrait & depth mode: Helps create decent background blur for portraits.
- Nightscape mode: Useful for low-light shots, though not flagship-level best.
- 16 MP selfie camera: Great detail for selfies and video calls.
Videos can be captured in 1080p, and the camera app includes modes like Dual-View Video (record front and rear simultaneously) and slow motion.
This camera setup is versatile and reliable for everyday photography, especially social media content, though it won’t match premium flagship cameras in dynamic range or low-light prowess.
Battery & Charging – All-Day Power That Lasts
Battery life is one of the Nord CE 2 Lite’s strong suits. It packs a 5000 mAh battery that easily lasts through a full day of moderate to heavy use — including browsing, streaming, and gaming.
It also supports 33 W SUPERVOOC fast charging, which can top up the battery quickly — OnePlus’s own tests show it can reach around 50 % in about 30 minutes.
The phone also includes real-time temperature monitoring with multiple sensors to keep charging cool and safe.
Software & Updates – Clean Android Experience
The Nord CE 2 Lite 5G runs OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12, offering a clean, near-stock Android feel with useful customisations and minimal bloat.
OnePlus promises two major Android updates and three years of security patches, giving you peace of mind that the phone stays secure and functional for a long period.
The interface is intuitive and familiar to OnePlus users, combining ease of use with quick access to features like Game Mode, Dark Mode, and gesture controls.
Pros & Cons – Quick Summary
Pros
- 120 Hz FHD+ display — smooth visuals for a mid-range phone.
- Reliable 5G performance with Snapdragon 695.
- 5000 mAh battery with fast 33 W SUPERVOOC charging.
- 64 MP main camera with versatile modes.
- Expandable storage & microSD support.
- Clean OxygenOS with long update promise.
- 3.5 mm headphone jack (still present) and side-mounted fingerprint sensor.
Cons
- LCD display, not AMOLED — having weaker blacks than AMOLED.
- Performance is good for everyday use but not flagship-level gaming.
- Software update pace isn’t the fastest compared with some competitors.
- Some users have reported occasional software quirks and battery drain after updates.
Conclusion – Excellent 5G Performer for Everyday Users
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite 5G strikes a great balance of features, performance, and price — making it one of the best choices around ₹20,000 for 5G users. It’s perfect if you want:
- Smooth everyday performance
- Long battery life with fast charging
- A large, responsive display
- Reliable camera performance for daily photos
- A clean software experience with promised updates
Whether you’re a student, social media user, or someone upgrading from a 4G phone, this phone delivers good value for money in the mid-range segment.
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