The CE4 Lite isn’t transformative, but it offers a set of specs including good hardware, a gorgeous display and phenomenal battery life at a price you don’t need to take out a second mortgage to afford.
Whether you’re a casual user, a student, or simply someone who wants a reliable phone that won’t overheat or sink under load, this one is worth a look.
OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G: Display & Design
The 6.67-inch AMOLED display is what first catches your eye. It has a 120Hz refresh rate, which offers buttery smooth scrolling and it’s a great user experience.
The display can also get as bright as 2100 nits in peak brightness that means it’s good to use under direct sunlight which is rarely seen in this price segment.
There’s a sweet bonus in Aqua Touch, which means you can operate the screen well even with wet fingers — a small touch, but a nice one to have on those wet days.
Available in fetching finishes like Mega Blue, Super Silver and Ultra Orange, all encased in an 8.1mm thin unit that weighs in at about 191g, the phone doesn’t scream premium with its plastic frame and back, but the device still manages to feel hardy and well put together despite it.
Performance & Software
The Nord CE4 Lite is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G SoC with 8GB of RAM and 128GB UFS 2.2 storage. The chipset is not the latest available, but it’s proven.
Apps are fast to load, it zips smoothly between tasks and it churns through day-to-day activities without a moment’s thought.
It does make for decent gaming performance for casual gamers, though you can’t expect a high level of graphics or heavy multitasking.
Software-wise, OnePlus serves up the OxygenOS 14 running on top of the Android 14 OS, which is lean, snappy and with minimal bloat. You’re also getting two major Android updates and three years of security patches, which is a comforting feature.
Camera Capabilities
The camera arrangement of the device comprises a 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with OIS accompanied by a 2MP depth sensor.
Daylight photos look good for this price point — sharp with good detail and natural colors. OIS is great for keeping blur to a minimum in quick snaps and slightly unsteady hands.
But when it comes to low-light photography, the phone stumbles. The night mode goes some way to making up for it, although it is murky in the same way. The 16-megapixel front camera is great for selfies and videos, but not a significant improvement over previous models.
Battery & Charging
And this is where the Nord CE4 Lite truly excels. It’s a 5500mAh battery, so it will last more than a full day if you check on and off the phone.
With 80W SUPPERVOOC your phone will be charged to 100% in less than 45 minutes which makes one of the fastest charging phone in its category.
Plus, there’s 5W reverse wired charging support, which is potentially a lifesaver in emergencies, particularly if you’re charging another phone or a pair of earbuds.
pros
Great AMOLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate
5500 mAh battery with 80 W fast charging
Water Touch enhances usability under water
Lightweight and clean OxygenOS 14 skin
Stereo speakers along with3.5 mm audio jack
Cons
The Snapdragon 695 could be outdated at this price
No ultra-wide or macro camera
Low light photography requires to be worked on
Continuing with UFS 2.2 instead of going to UFS 3.1
Some regions (Europe) don’t include charger
OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G: Final Verdict
It’s a sensible and down-to-earth phone that does most of the basics well. It’s not made to wow power users or photography aficionados, but for normal users you’re getting a display that’s almost flagship quality, very long lasting battery, squeaky clean software and a purely adequate performer.
It won’t reinvent the mid-range wheel by any means, but it will keep it spinning in the right direction.
(If you’re shopping for a reliable phone under ₹20,000 that doesn’t skimp on must-haves, the Nord CE4 Lite 5G could be a safe, smart choice.)
