Second batch of mid-range smartphone for OnePlus. Taken in hand at the beginning of April, the Nord CE 3 Lite left us with a very good first impression. After a more complete test, here is what to remember.
Our full review
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
One year after the release of the Nord CE 2 Lite, OnePlus is back this year with a new generation of smartphone for less than 400 euros. First prize in the Chinese manufacturer’s 2023 catalog, the Nord CE 3 Lite evolves from its predecessor, but retains certain specifications, like an unchanged chip.
Despite everything, the Nord CE 3 Lite is revealed in a beautiful technical sheet, placed under the sign of modernity. Revisited aesthetics, muscular battery, OxygenOS 13.1 are among the strengths of this promising smartphone. So, bet held for OnePlus? This is what we will determine in this test.
Design: make or break
As soon as it is unpacked, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite impresses with its size. And for good reason: larger than its predecessor, it measures 165.5 x 76 mm. To compare with the large models known to all, we are dealing here with a device higher than an iPhone 14 Pro Max or a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, slightly narrower. Its thickness of 8.9 mm allows it to play in the court of thin equipment and gives it a rather elegant slender appearance.
Impressive size, equivalent weight. With its 195 grams, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite begins to weigh in the pocket. A feature that reinforces the impression of solidity of the smartphone, yet made of plastic. Despite everything, in use, we deplore an approximate distribution of the mass. Held in one hand, the device lacks stability. The sensation is quite subtle, but persistent enough to give the feeling that it could tip forward at any moment.
We therefore cling to this OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, to the point of noting some ergonomic flaws. At first glance, the device displays a relatively classic design for a mid-range product: angular edges and rounded corners. Looking closer, we notice that the back and the screen of the smartphone protrude slightly from the edge of the smartphone. This difference in levels, coupled with an accentuated grip of the smartphone, reinforces this uncomfortable impression of a device that is difficult to hold in place between the palm and the fingers.
Continuing to examine the frame – plastic, successful metal illusion – we spot, on the right side, the power button, which also acts as a very responsive fingerprint sensor. Its location falls right under the thumb (or index finger when the device is held with two hands), which is a good thing. The same cannot be said for the volume controls, nestled on the left edge, slightly too high, at the risk of proving difficult to access for small hands. Above these buttons is the dual SIM drawer, one of whose two slots can be allocated to a microSD card (up to 1 TB). Finally, the lower edge accommodates the traditional USB-C socket, framed by a 3.5 mm jack port and a speaker grille.
Now let’s move on to the back of the smartphone. For the price at which OnePlus markets it, the Nord CE 3 Lite also opts for plastic. If this choice does not surprise us, we remain skeptical about the aesthetic execution. For one thing, the smooth coating picks up all fingerprints and leaves little hope of its possible scratch resistance. On the other hand, the transparency effect desired by the manufacturer is pschitt. Received in “pastel limeto the editorial staff, the device gives the impression of having been delivered with a translucent shell yellowed by time.
At the top, on the left, are two photo sensors and a flash, directly integrated into the dorsal surface. If OnePlus has chosen to purify the appearance of the cameras as much as possible by completely erasing the block effect, one wonders about the significant thickness of the modules. Placed flat on a table, the Nord CE 3 Lite pitches, that’s a fact.
We end this inventory with the front of the smartphone, protected by a Gorilla Glass window (no details regarding the generation), without IP certification, as is OnePlus tradition, and welcoming a conventional central punch. The touch screen occupies a little less than 90% of the total surface of the screen, the borders of which display a reasonable size: thin overall, a bit thicker on the chin.
Screen: recalibration is in order
Slightly larger than that of the Nord CE 2 Lite (6.59 inches), the screen of the Nord CE 3 Lite extends over 6.72 inches, at a ratio of 20:9. For the rest, OnePlus has kept a number of technical specifications specific to its previous model, offering its new smartphone a Full HD + IPS LCD panel, with a definition of 2400 x 1080 pixels for a resolution of 391 dpi.
As a reminder, IPS technology improves the viewing angle of LCD screens. On entry-level and mid-range products, we consider that this is a good compromise which certainly does not allow you to take advantage of the infinite blacks offered by the Oled, but generates a more uniform display (darkening of image reduced when viewed from the side) than on a conventional LCD panel. And the bet is taken up by the Nord CE 3 Lite whose nature of the panel is only really betrayed by observing the white spaces, slightly grayed out when viewed from an angle.
To complement the efforts made on the display, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite offers an excellent adaptive refresh rate of 120 Hz. From the device settings, users wishing to limit the impact of animations on autonomy of the battery can at any time opt for a rate limited to 60 Hz, always adaptive.
Regarding color management, our tests carried out with the CaIMan Ultimate software from Portrait Displays tend to play in favor of the screen which occupies 145% of the sRGB space and 97% of the DCI-P3 (Vivid mode by default). Really not bad results on paper, unfortunately offset by an approximate calibration of the device. In use, the colors saturate and pull clearly towards blue. To hope for a rendering closer to reality, you will have to go to Settings > Display and brightness > Screen color mode, switch to Natural mode, and push the slider to the maximum towards Warmer.
In terms of brightness, the Nord CE 3 Lite does a little better than its predecessor, without leading a revolution. During our tests, we noted a maximum brightness of 577 cd/m². Without shining too much, the screen remains readable, even in very sunny weather.
software: Android 13 augmented by OxygenOS 13.1
Faithful among the faithful, it is of course OxygenOS 13.1 which provides the software part of the Nord CE 3 Lite. Based on Android 13 (version and security patch up to date when writing this test), the interface takes, in broad outline, the codes of the operating system developed by Google. Impossible, therefore, to get lost.
We would even go so far as to say that slight modifications, of the order of the detail, considerably improve the handling and the daily use of it. We think, for example, of the customizable control center, made up of a myriad of readable and very practical shortcuts, in particular concerning the management of the sound modes of the device and the vibrator. Let’s also mention the sidebar, a toolbox accessible at any time (home screen of the smartphone and application windows, already seen on ColorOS) which groups together the apps that you want to keep at your fingertips without cluttering the dock. The multitasking view is also one of these interesting additions. This displays the service logos under their respective windows to help users find their way around all the open applications.
We have two reservations, however. The first depends directly on OxygenOS and concerns the notification center. While it is enough to slide the alerts to the left to delete them on other interfaces such as Android, One UI or My UX, the overlay of the OnePlus forces you to force the scan. A habit to take, but which hinders a mechanical gesture on which no one wants to dwell.
Second downside, this time stemming from the nature of the LCD panel of the Nord CE 3 Lite: the absence of the Always on Display mode, strong argument of OxygenOS 13. If you hoped to take advantage of it, you will have to go upmarket.
Finally, in OxygenOS 13 we find some additional features, specific to the environment developed by OnePlus, such as Zen Space (limitation of calls and notifications to promote concentration), the Fast Pair protocol (already offered by Android, redesigned by OxygenOS ), the Audio Switch (smooth switch between several single and multipoint Bluetooth devices), an AES encrypted digital safe, or even an intelligent function to prevent accidental presses in the pocket.
Significant point: apart from these modules, OnePlus services and the Google starter pack, the Nord CE 3 Lite does not come with any bloatware. The manufacturer also guarantees two years of major Android updates and three years of security patches. An honest duration in this price range.
