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Android smartphone with 120Hz adaptive refresh rate large screen, 3.5mm audio jack, microSD expansion card slot, 5000mAh battery and 50W fast charger in the package, is that right for you? The device is priced at €300, includes all of these features and more!
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G specs are good, but the smartphone also faces competition from devices like the Google Pixel 6a (currently $350). Phones in this $350-$300 price range still have to compromise to be three to four times cheaper than high-end smartphones. Choosing one of them therefore comes down to identifying the specific features that are most important to you.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G stands out in the entry-level phone market with 8GB RAM, 120Hz adaptive refresh rate display, fast charging, dust and water splash resistance (IP54), and reliable 5G connectivity.
The kind of phone that won’t benefit from significant changes
In terms of trade-offs, the camera doesn’t have a wide angle, photo quality can’t compete with Google’s Pixel 6a, and the glossy plastic back constantly needs cleaning. The phone comes with Android 13, and OnePlus is providing an upgrade to Android 14, along with three years of security updates. It is therefore the kind of phone that will not benefit from significant changes with future software updates.
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Many will naturally look to Google’s Pixel 6a released in 2022 as the preferred option at this price point of around €300-350 currently. However, I had issues with Google’s Tensor chip connecting to cellular networks, and I haven’t had much luck with the Pixel’s hardware reliability. OnePlus also has a few features that appeal to me more than Google’s magical camera effect.
For example, I can’t stand the slow battery charging of Pixel phones, and I’ve spent years enjoying the super-fast wired charging that OnePlus offers. And since I really enjoyed the 120Hz display refresh rates on Android phones, so I left the setting at the highest rate and it didn’t stop me from getting through a long day on a single charge.
Camera performance is not directly related to megapixel count
And finally, the fingerprint sensor on the side button (also power button) works better for me than the under-screen scanners.
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Camera performance is not directly related to the number of megapixels it contains. Just because the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G has a 108MP sensor doesn’t mean it produces better photos than the Pixel 6a’s 12MP camera.
That said, I was pleased with the camera’s results for use in social media and phone-to-phone sharing. The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite certainly isn’t going to challenge flagship phones in terms of camera performance, but I’ve seen far worse on $300 phones.
The plastic is quite acceptable and holds up well to drops
I inserted my SIM card into the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G and used it exclusively as my daily butler for three weeks. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 and relatively standard OxygenOS interface ensured smooth operation, phone calls sounded perfect, the large screen made watching media on my commuter train enjoyable, I was able to plug in my headphones again without worrying about recharging them, and the camera performed well for occasional shots of my surroundings.
The chromatic gray color of the phone’s back makes it appear dark green in most lighting conditions and the effect is sleek, but I don’t like the super glossy finish. The plastic is fine and holds up well to drops, but I prefer matte back panels on smartphones.
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The OnePlus Nord N30 5G comes with a lot of advantages for a €300 smartphone. This is clearly a good option for someone looking for a new mobile. It can also serve as a backup phone or suit an older user who wants a big screen phone that can do its job well while freeing itself from the anxiety of owning a $1000+ block of glass.
Source: “ZDNet.com”