OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite review: a by-the-numbers cheap Android phone

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite two-minute evaluate

OnePlus’ household of Nord CE telephones stays its most forgettable, a truth demonstrated by the truth that I had practically completed this OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate earlier than I spotted that the TechRadar author who examined its predecessor was in reality me. Technique to make an enduring impression…

A way more reasonably priced different to the assorted different OnePlus phones, together with t=current fashions from the OnePlus Nord line, the CE 4 Lite makes a couple of alternative tweaks to its predecessor, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, however does little extra to truly impress. In case you’re taking a look at it in a line-up of similarly-priced rivals, it’s not going to face out a lot.

Let’s begin by taking a look at enhancements: the Nord CE 4 Lite has a smaller display than its predecessor however it ditches the LCD in favor of AMOLED, making a marked enchancment; it’s additionally fairly a bit brighter, although that’s not saying a lot.

One other apparently loss is of a 108MP digicam, although frankly the 50MP snapper that’s changing it’s miles higher. It nonetheless falls simply shy of ‘good’, with photos that lack some shade, however it’s nonetheless progress.

I’m additionally going to name out Aqua Contact, a function OnePlus has been introducing to a few of its new telephones, which makes it a lot simpler to make use of the telephone display while you’re palms are moist. It’s a small addition however it may possibly have dramatic quality-of-life advantages to bathtime testers.

The Nord CE 4 Lite’s charging pace and battery dimension each trump the CE 3 Lite — and some alternative finances rivals, I ought to add — as a longtime OnePlus trait I’m fairly keen on.

A number of extra minor enhancements just like the presence of an under-display fingerprint scanner, newer software program, an IP score (solely IP54, thoughts you) and extra cupboard space all mark minor however welcome enhancements.

Not the whole lot is modified right here, although. The Nord CE 4 Lite retains its predecessor’s sluggish chipset, in addition to its selfie digicam, display decision and plasticky design. 

These enhancements do convey the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite extra in keeping with what you’d count on from the value — that’s why this cell will get the next rating than the three Lite. However ‘adequate’ isn’t sufficient to win the brand new smartphone a glowing suggestion.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: worth and availability

• Introduced in June 2024
• Single mannequin for £299 (roughly $380, AU$580)
• No availability in Australia or US at time of writing

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite was introduced in mid-June 2024, and placed on sale shortly afterward, though it was shortly overshadowed by the extra premium OnePlus Nord 4, introduced a month later.

Solely restricted availability has been introduced for the Nord CE 4 Lite on the time of writing, however that matches OnePlus’ modus operandi: its Nord telephones typically differ by area. The CE 4 Lite has been confirmed within the UK, and will additionally come to Australia sooner or later provided that the CE 3 Lite is on sale there, however it’s not possible it’s going to attain the US for the explanations acknowledged above.

Within the UK, you possibly can choose up the telephone in its sole configuration for £299 — that roughly interprets to $380 or AU$580, for context. That’s the very same worth the CE 3 Lite launched for, placing the cell within the cheap phone market section.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: specs

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is an archetypal low-cost telephone, and its specs match:

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: design

• Customary-looking Android in silver or blue
• Plastic physique and IP54 for defense
• Has a 3.5mm headphone jack

It is onerous to get away from the concept that the OnePlus Nord CE 4’s design. That’s not a criticism per se, however the telephone gained’t win any design awards.

Measuring in at 162.9 x 75.6 x 8.1mm, it’s large identical to most different low-cost Android telephones. It weighs 191g so it’s not too heavy; its plastic body and again are more likely to thank for this — this materials doesn’t at all times really feel notably premium, however it affords higher safety than glass. 

Speaking of safety, the telephone has an IP54 score, that means it’s protected in opposition to comfortable particle ingress however solely in opposition to splashes of water, no more, so don’t attempt for any underwater images.

The dimensions of the telephone signifies that the amount rocker on the best edge is just about out of attain except you use two palms. I discovered the ability button, slightly below it, is inside attain although. On its backside edge, there is a USB-C port and three.5mm headphone jack, however no alert slider right here like on sure different OnePlus mobiles.

On the again of the telephone, there are two vertical round blocks that maintain the digicam lenses. As a result of a reflective panel round them these really look lots larger than they really are; they don’t stick out too far and solely open the telephone as much as minor wobbles when it was positioned flat on a floor.

You’ll be able to choose the telephone up in two completely different shade choices, a minimum of within the UK: blue and silver. As you possibly can inform from the evaluate images, I used the latter, however there’s no distinction past the hue.

What you may not gleam from that checklist of specs is that, regardless of its by-the-numbers construct, the Nord CE 4 Lite feels fairly minimal in its design. You’ve obtained the whole lot you want and nothing that you just don’t. And your hand isn’t distracted by random bumps, levers and dials like on many different Android telephones I’ve examined.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: show

• 6.67-inch, 1080 x 2400 decision
• AMOLED marks enchancment over predecessor
• Aqua Contact for moist hand use

OnePlus has opted for a 6.67-inch AMOLED show on the Nord CE 4 Lite, which is the very same dimension that the overwhelming majority of Android rivals have, although AMOLED marks an improve over the three Lite’s flat-looking LCD. 

That’s additionally true of the 1080×2400 decision and a refresh fee of 120Hz. The CE 4 Lite reaches the bar of what you’d count on at this worth however doesn’t exceed it in any approach. That is mirrored within the expertise of utilizing the show: the whole lot is obvious and easy, however choosing a pricier telephone will get you brighter colours and the next max brightness.

There’s one stand-out show function, however it gained’t affect your viewing skill: that is Aqua Contact, a function OnePlus has begun putting in on its telephones. This helpful tech ensures your contact is registered precisely when you may have moist or moist palms, making your telephone a lot simpler to make use of within the rain or within the bathe.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: software program

• Android 14 with OxygenOS 14.1
• Two software program updates promised
• Handsome consumer interface, however with bloatware

If you boot it up, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite comes with OxygenOS 14.1 pre-loaded — it is a fork of Android 14, with OnePlus making tweaks to Google’s inventory operating system. The corporate has promised two years of updates (so, to Android 16) and three of safety updates. That’s not an enormous quantity however it’s definitely higher than nothing.

OxygenOS continues to be a preferred consumer interface amongst telephone followers, and I believe I get it: it has a definite look, with a novel font and magnificence that makes it distinct however ensures icons and buttons are simply comprehensible. 

A great deal of cool options are included like Zen House, which helps you to lock your telephone to pay attention, and a hearty providing of customization affords.

Additionally on the desk are a boat-load of pre-installed apps, which is rather less spectacular. It’s the standard offenders like LinkedIn, Netflix, Fb, Amazon Procuring and AliExpress, in addition to a couple of video games. There’s nothing particularly heinous, contemplating what number of low-cost telephones come filled with annoying extras you’ll want to obtain, however followers can and will complain about this.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: cameras

• 50MP essential and 2MP depth cameras, with 16MP on entrance
• Footage a transparent however just a little uninteresting
• Customary arsenal of additional modes

To place it politely, cameras clearly aren’t a spotlight for the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite — it has the obligatory quantity (and one straggler) of snappers.

The primary digicam includes a 50-megapixel, f/1.8 sensor; in the event you’ve been contemplating many choices within the finances telephone market you’ve most likely seen this identical tech on… effectively, most telephones nowadays. The primary digicam is joined by a 2MP, f/2.4 companion that, from my testing, doesn’t appear to do a complete lot — autofocus appeared simply as fast and simply as correct after I lined up this half with some sticky tape.

Images taken on the telephone are high-quality: they’re gentle and detailed sufficient so that you can see your topic with none rogue errors or huge issues. Nonetheless, the images aren’t precisely colourful, as you possibly can see from the digicam samples part, and I discovered that there have been distinction points in some photographs.

Generally in telephones, AI-powered scene optimization can save the day, however I didn’t discover a lot of that to talk of within the Nord CE 4 Lite. As I stated, images are match for on a regular basis use however they’ll by no means elicit a ‘wow’.

OnePlus has granted CE 4 Lite customers entry to a magic eraser function, which is not all that commonplace in telephones at this worth level. It really works fairly effectively, so long as you keep in mind the telephone’s processing energy (which is restricted) and solely give the AI straightforward duties.

The shortage of an ultra-wide digicam means you get what you’re given while you level the telephone at a topic, and may’t digitally step again to view extra of a scene. I’d say the identical concerning the lack of a telephoto digicam for zoom, however was pleasantly stunned with digital zoom; the very fact you possibly can solely go as much as 10x this fashion means you’re getting a good quantity of element at most vary.

On the entrance of the telephone is a 16MP, f/2.4 digicam, and most of what I stated concerning the rear digicam applies right here too. Footage are clear however lack vibrancy, and I additionally discovered that even the briefest quantity of solar would blow out selfies.

There’s the naked minimal of additional modes right here: photographers get portrait, professional, night time and panorama choices whereas videographers get dual-view, time-lapse and slow-mo. In regular video mode, you possibly can go as much as 1080p and 30 frames per second.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite digicam samples

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: efficiency and audio

• Snapdragon 695 does not present a lot energy
• 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage
• Stereo audio system plus 3.5mm headphone jack

Certainly one of my greatest gripes with the Nord CE 3 Lite’s predecessor was its weak processor, and the corporate’s response was evidently to make use of the very same piece of equipment on this new telephone. 

That’s the Snapdragon 695 chip, a stalwart of finances mobiles for any years now. Within the Geekbench 6 benchmark take a look at it returned a multi-core rating of 1,968, which isn’t precisely blazing quick. 

When taking part in top-end titles I often seen the odd lag or stutter, and through intense motion I discovered that inputs might generally be just a little delayed. Nonetheless, within the pursuits of equity I ought to say that my points didn’t really feel as dramatic as with the CE 3 Lite, regardless of them utilizing the identical processor.

Like its older sibling, the Nord CE 4 Lite has 8GB of RAM. But it surely’s seen a storage dimension enhance as much as 256GB, so you possibly can match much more on the telephone – keep in mind that that is all for a similar worth as final 12 months’s mannequin. That’s a pleasant improve.

By way of audio, the Nord has a 3.5mm headphone jack, so you possibly can plug in wired headphones. Its Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity isn’t fairly on par with the 5.2 to five.4 requirements you see on most smartphones nowadays, however the variations might be negligible past the space you possibly can pay attention at out of your telephone.

The stereo audio system are as tinny as you’d count on in your smartphone, however are high-quality for listening to voice notes, social media movies and the like.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: battery life

• Lengthy-lasting 5,110mAh battery
• Lasts over a day of use
• Good quick 80W charging

If there’s one trait which you can depend on with all finances telephones, it’s their battery life — area saved on fancy internals can as an alternative be used on a bigger battery, and the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite isn’t any exception.

The telephone packs a 5,110mAh battery, marking it as one of many new wave of finances telephones that jumps up from the earlier normal 5,000mAh battery.

Having this a lot juice ensures that the Nord simply lasts by means of a day of use, whether or not you’re simply checking the climate or are laid up with a chilly taking part in Call of Duty: Cell all day.

In my most intensive testing days, the Nord had a minimum of 1 / 4 of its cost upon a second day of use, and that quantity was larger after I hadn’t been utilizing the telephone a lot the prior day. I don’t think about you’d be capable of see the telephone by means of two days of use with out charging it below any circumstances, however its lasting energy was nonetheless admirable.

Equally laudable is its charging pace: 80 watts of energy supply be certain that the telephone will go from empty to full in simply over half an hour. You’ll want a appropriate charger after all, and within the field you’ll solely get a USB-A to USB-C cable.

The handset affords reverse wi-fi charging, so you possibly can plug a cable into the telephone and use it to cost one other gadget. This can require a twine that’s USB-C to no matter you want, whether or not it’s one other USB-C gadget, micro USB or Lightning.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: worth

You’re principally getting what you pay for with the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, identical to with its predecessor and principally the whole thing of the Nord line.

So that you gained’t choose up the CE 4 Lite and really feel cheated: its display, pace, battery life and digicam prowess all roughly match what try to be anticipating given its price ticket.

Nonetheless if in case you have a finances that’ll stretch just a little larger, know that it is possible for you to to purchase a greater telephone with out having to shell out that rather more money.

Do you have to purchase the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite?

Purchase it if…

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OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate: Additionally think about

Whereas largely constructive, this OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite evaluate ought to make it clear that the telephone has points. So listed below are another choices it’s possible you’ll wish to think about:

How I examined the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite

• Assessment take a look at interval = 2.5 weeks
• Testing included = On a regular basis utilization, together with internet looking, social media, images, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Instruments used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I examined the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite for about three weeks, and the testing was carried out alongside the up to date Nord 4.

The testing course of includes each real-word use (taking images, making calls, taking part in video games, streaming Netflix) and a few lab checks (benchmarking, battery checks and software program checks) to offer a well-rounded view of the gadget.

I have been reviewing smartphones for TechRadar since early 2019, and in that point have used loads of mobiles from OnePlus, in addition to different gadgets within the worth section. As acknowledged within the intro, I examined the Nord CE 3 Lite.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2024