5 things I like about the new OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite

I have been playing around with the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite for the past two weeks. The device I tested is the Mega Blue variant with a unique blue that shimmers. I am delighted with all that I could do with this phone. From design to performance, here is a list of five things that impressed me about the new OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite.

A stunner in blue

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite comes with a fresh design. Although it’s not a significant departure from the aesthetics of its predecessor, the new Nord CE4 Lite has added some new elements. For instance, the Nord CE 3 Lite (review) had a gigantic 108MP main camera and a 2MP macro lens on the rear panel. The camera placement gave the impression of two large circles floating along with a small flash orbiting them.

A design comparison on Nord CE, Nord CE 3 and Nord CE4 Lite (right). (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

With the Nord CE4 Lite, there is a visible camera island and although this does not protrude from the base, to me, it brought a sense of balance to the design. With this, it not only looks tough but also stylish. As mentioned before, the shade Mega Blue is striking and it reminded me of the OnePlus 8 Pro (review) in Ultramarine Blue from 2020. The Mega Blue is the most stand-out shade in the latest line of Nord series. When it comes to ergonomics, the device measures 162.9 x 75.6 x 8.1 mm and weighs 191g, balancing a large display with a comfortable form factor.

A solid device

The first thing I noticed upon unboxing, was how solid and light it felt to hold the new OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite. Although this device falls in the affordable category, the device feels durable and quite assuring for daily use. At 191g, it feels light and packs a substantial screen size. I liked the design as this one stands out when compared to other devices in the Nord 3 CE series.

Nord CE4 Lite stands out with its Mega Blue shade. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The power and volume buttons are clicky and perfectly placed. The device came with a pre-applied screen protector which saved me hours looking for the perfect screen guard. While I couldn’t test the limits of the device, I went out with the device during a light drizzle. The IP54 rating comes as a saviour and is perfect for daily rigours such as moving in traffic, boarding a crowded metro, or even manoeuvring through a bustling market.

Photography with Nord CE4 Lite

Just like every other smartphone user, I take pride in the fact of being an amateur photography enthusiast albeit self-professed. As soon as I laid my eyes on this device, I was eager to test the camera’s capabilities. The Nord CE4 Lite is a downgrade from the Nord CE3 Lite in the camera department, as it packs a 50MP Sony LYT-600 Sensor with OIS when compared to the 108MP on the former. Regardless, the cameras capture an impressive level of detail in well-lit conditions. The 2X in-sensor zoom allows you to get closer to subjects without losing much quality.

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite camera sample (Image credit: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite camera sample (Image credit: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite camera sample. (Image: Bijin Jose/The Indian Express)

The device also comes with a Portrait Mode. The 2MP mono camera, although basic, can create a bokeh effect. In low light conditions, the Night Mode can come in handy to capture scenes that may otherwise be difficult. The cameras are not on par with flagship devices, however, considering the price point, they are good for clicking atmospheric and social-media-ready pictures. Besides, the 16MP selfie camera can efficiently handle video calls and Zoom meetings. Video recording too is smooth as it offers adequate stability.

Performance

For a budget smartphone, the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite offers a smooth performance during daily use. The device is powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset which was earlier seen in the Nord CE3 Lite. The chipset comes with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and is a great help in managing multiple apps. Although there is no considerable advancement in the chipset, the Nord CE4 Lite offers a seamless experience.

The AnTuTu score for the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite is 473628 and Geekbench 6 CPU Benchmark for the device shows a Single-Core score of 896 and a Multi-Core score of 2017. During my use, I switched between social media apps, and productivity apps, and I did not experience any slowdown. The 120Hz AMOLED display is a bonus, as it makes scrolling through X or web pages a breeze. When it comes to gaming, this device may not be able to handle most demanding titles at max settings, but it can run popular games smoothly. The OxygenOS 14 is lightweight and responsive.

Overall, the Nord CE 4 Lite may not be a powerhouse, but it can be more than what one seeks for day-to-day needs.

Power-packed

Considering the way we use smartphones, fast charging is inevitable. The Nord CE4 Lite comes with a 5500 mAh battery and it can last up to two days on a single charge. During my use, I found that the phone charges up to 70 per cent in less than 40 minutes. The heat management on this device is good, even during extended streaming and gaming sessions. The Nord CE4 Lite remains cool while charging too. I did not experience any overheating issues. The device comes with an 80W SUPERVOOC fast-charging and it charges the device to 100 per cent in less than an hour. Besides, the new battery health feature allows you to keep a check on the long-term health of the battery. Another addition that I found useful is the 5W reverse charging, as it comes handy to charge wireless earbuds.

The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite comes with some impressive features for its price range. However, it does have some drawbacks. The first is its Snapdragon 695 5G processor which was launched in 2021 limiting it to an extent when it comes to demanding tasks. Also, for some the display brightness may seem insufficient. Overall, while it may not be the most powerful device out there, I’ve found the Nord CE4 Lite 5G strikes a good balance between performance and power efficiency for my daily use and casual gaming needs.