Highlights:
• OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite, OnePlus’ most affordable phone in India at the moment
• Closest competitor in worth is Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 11 Pro
Android phones starting just under Rs.20,000 are becoming increasingly powerful and capable, and thus have a higher future-proofing ceiling. It’s been in the works for quite some time.
One will be able to keep them for much longer, which we couldn’t have predicted a few years ago. What has been made possible is Qualcomm’s rival chipmaker MediaTek’s hurried improvement. That distinguishes two very different approaches to achieving the same result on Android phones.
OnePlus’ most affordable phone in India
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite, which is currently OnePlus’ most affordable phone in India, has a strong spec sheet. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor, a 6.59-inch display with 120Hz refresh rate, fast charging, and a troika of 64-megapixel cameras provide the power. The Nord CE 2 Lite is priced at around Rs.19,999.
Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 11 Pro it’s closest competitor
It’s worth comparing it to Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 11 Pro, which is its closest competitor. With prices starting at around Rs.17,999, it undercuts the Nord CE 2 Lite slightly, with a slightly larger display (6.67-inches with 120Hz), MediaTek Helio G96, a 108-megapixel camera leading the quad set-up, and faster charging (67-watt compared to 33-watt).
Exclusive features
You might be thinking, “Why not spend a little more (from Rs.23,999 onwards) on the Nord CE 2 for that little bit more power and potential longevity?” Though the MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset definitely ticks the performance box, you’ll get a slightly smaller display (6.43 inches) and a 90Hz refresh rate limit (which is perplexing! ), but 45-watt faster charging with a smaller 4,500 mAh battery (instead of 5,000 mAh).
Blue Tide and Black Dusk are the two colours available in terms of design. There’s a dual tone finish that’s subtle. The Blue has a hint of glimmer, while the Black is reminiscent of the sandstone finish that OnePlus has always excelled at. Looks and finish are fairly standard, on par with the competition.
Camera quality
While a 64-megapixel sensor leads the way (the other two sensors are 2-megapixel macro and depth sensors), you’ll have to work hard for most of the photos you take. This will capture 16-megapixel photos by default, with a 64-megapixel high-definition mode available as well. Landscapes and still subjects are generally well-represented, but moving subjects and rustling leaves frequently appear blurred or smudged, indicating a slow processing speed.
When the OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite’s camera is used with patience and poise, you’ll enjoy the colour richness and dynamic range. The camera app is straightforward, which should aid in getting the hang of it quickly. There isn’t a ‘raw’ photo mode available, but that’s to be expected.
Also Read: Everything you need to know about the OnePlus 10R, which will be launched in India on April 28
