OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is the most budget-friendly smartphone in the Nord series and serves as the perfect entry point for users who want to experience the OnePlus ecosystem without stretching their wallet. Launched with a focus on delivering reliable 5G connectivity, a smooth user interface, and long-lasting battery life, the Nord CE 2 Lite stands out in the crowded mid-range market. Let’s explore what this device has to offer and why it’s a solid choice for budget-conscious users.
Minimalist Design with OnePlus DNA
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite may be a budget device, but it carries forward the minimalist and clean design language OnePlus is known for. The back panel is made of polycarbonate but feels premium in hand, with a matte finish that resists fingerprints. It’s available in cool color options like Blue Tide and Black Dusk, both of which give it a fresh, youthful vibe.
At 8.5 mm thick and weighing around 195 grams, the device is comfortable to hold and easy to carry around. While it lacks the metal-glass construction of higher-end OnePlus phones, its build quality is sturdy and dependable for daily use.
Display: Smooth and Immersive
The phone features a 6.59-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Although it doesn’t use an AMOLED panel, the high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling, gaming, and overall fluidity. The colors are vibrant, and the brightness levels are adequate for most environments, though sunlight legibility could be better.
For multimedia consumption and casual gaming, the display gets the job done with minimal complaints. The punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera is unobtrusive, and bezels are reasonably slim.
Performance: Efficient and Reliable
Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, a reliable mid-range chipset built on a 6nm process. Coupled with 6GB or 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the phone handles day-to-day tasks like browsing, social media, and multitasking with ease.
Gaming performance is decent, with titles like Call of Duty Mobile and BGMI running smoothly at medium settings. The Adreno 619 GPU ensures consistent frame rates in casual and competitive gameplay.
The device runs on OxygenOS 12.1 based on Android 12, with updates available for newer versions. OxygenOS is one of the cleanest and fastest Android skins, free from bloatware and loaded with useful customization features.
Camera Setup: Balanced and Functional
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite comes with a triple rear camera setup:
- 64MP primary sensor
- 2MP depth sensor
- 2MP macro lens
The primary 64MP sensor performs well in good lighting, producing crisp and colorful images with decent dynamic range. Night mode is present but average, as expected at this price point. The macro and depth sensors are functional but not groundbreaking, mainly serving their basic purposes.
On the front, a 16MP Sony IMX471 selfie camera handles video calls and selfies with natural skin tones and decent sharpness. AI beauty features are available but can be toned down for a more realistic output.
Battery Life and Charging
One of the standout features of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is its massive 5,000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day and more on moderate use. Whether you’re watching videos, playing games, or switching between apps, the phone holds up well under pressure.
It supports 33W SUPERVOOC fast charging, which can take the battery from 0 to 50% in about 30 minutes. The charger is included in the box—a big plus in today’s market.
Connectivity and Extras
The Nord CE 2 Lite offers 5G support, dual SIM, Bluetooth 5.2, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a 3.5mm headphone jack—something rare in modern smartphones. It also includes a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that is quick and accurate.
There’s no IP rating or stereo speakers, but given its price, these omissions are acceptable.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite is a smart buy for users who want an affordable, well-rounded smartphone that doesn’t compromise on performance, battery life, or user experience. While it doesn’t aim to break boundaries in terms of innovation, it nails the basics and adds a few extras that make it a reliable daily driver.
For students, young professionals, and first-time smartphone buyers seeking a taste of the OnePlus ecosystem, the Nord CE 2 Lite offers great value under ₹20,000.
