It’s evolving, just backwards.
With the Nord CE3 Series fading out in favour of the fourth generation, it’s pretty high time for OnePlus to release a new device under it. Of course, the Nord 4 will be released a little sooner, now that it is available globally. If you have been following the brand for a while, you know they will always launch the CE series first, as they are the most affordable of the brand.
The phone got a fresh new design following the new Nord CE4 but of course, this is the toned down version. The Nord4 has a completely new design, akin to the Google Pixel 2.
Well, “affordable” is a subjective word. It’s certainly not cheap to purchase. An expensive product can be “affordable” if a user can actually feel the value of it. Unfortunately, the Nord CE4 Lite just isn’t that chief.
And yes OnePlus, the Nord CE4 is absurd, as in absurdly questionable pricing. The phone is a sidegrade of the Nord CE3 Lite, and its higher PHP 17,999 price tag do not justify it in the slightest. Sure, you got a better, brighter, and more colourful AMOLED screen here with 2100nits and maybe a slightly bigger battery with a one-up in charging, now at 80W. Still, its specs do not really justify why you should switch from the Nord CE3 Lite to this, at least in the Philippines.
Yes, you’re seeing it right. It uses the same chipset as the Nord CE3 Lite at a higher price tag which is, true enough, pretty absurd. It comes with the same configuration too, at 8GB RAM + 256GB ROM.
The camera did get an upgrade as it comes with a much better sensor than last time, but there’s still only one functional camera here, at the back. A 50MP Sony Lytia LYT-600 sensor, which technically makes this phone feel like a Reno12 Lite. The front is still the same 16MP shooter as every other Nords.
You can check the table below to compare the Nord CE4 Lite vs the Nord CE3 Lite. A bold marking indicates that the device is better at the given spec.
| SPECIFICATION | ONEPLUS NORD CE4 LITE | ONEPLUS NORD CE3 LITE |
| Display | 6.67″ FullHD+ (2400x1080px) AMOLED, 120Hz refresh rate, 2100nits | 6.72″ FullHD+ (2400x1080px) IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate |
| Camera | REAR: 50MP (Primary), Sony Lytia LYT-600, f/1.8, 1/1.95″, EIS/OIS 2MP (depth), f/2.4 FRONT: 16MP, f/2.4 | REAR: 108MP (Primary), f/1.7, Samsung ISOCELL HM6, 1.92µm 2MP (depth), f/2.4 + 2MP (macro), f/2.4 FRONT: 16MP, f/2.4 |
| Chipset/Performance | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (6nm) |
| Interface | Android 14, OxygenOS 14 | Android 14, OxygenOS 14 |
| Battery/Charging | 5500mAh 80W SuperVOOC Fast Charging | 5000mAh 67W SuperVOOC Fast Charging |
| Ports | USB-C, 3.5mm jack, In-display fingerprint scanner, Hybrid Slot (2TB MicroSD Slot + Nano-SIM Slot) | USB-C, 3.5mm jack, In-display fingerprint scanner, Hybrid Slot (MicroSD + Nano-SIM Slot) |
| Colors | Mega Blue, Super Silver | Pastel Lime, Chromatic Gray |
| Price | 8/256: PHP 17,999 | 8/256: PHP 14,990 |
With only a slight upgrade in battery/charging, camera, and display, you can keep your Nord CE3 Lite for longer… unless you’re more of a technical and techy person, then you can get the Nord CE4 Lite for its significantly better display, camera, and faster charging.
You can get the Nord CE4 Lite online via Lazada, TikTok Shop, and Shopee, and through OnePlus kiosks nationwide. If you order online, you can redeem a PHP 1,000 voucher until August 15. If you purchase during that date, you can get freebies worth PHP 2,500 which includes a Bluetooth speaker, a power adapter, and a case.
Source: OnePlus Philippines