The OnePlus Nord CE series has carved a niche for itself in the mid-range segment, by bringing the OnePlus experience to a more budget-conscious audience without significant compromises. Recently, the company introduced its latest addition, the Nord CE 4. Let’s check out the detailed comparison of the latest OnePlus Nord CE 4 with its predecessors, the Nord CE 3, Nord CE 2, and the original Nord CE 5G.
1. Display
The OnePlus Nord CE4 debuts with a 6.7-inch Full HD+ AMOLED display, featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of up to 1100 nits, which is very similar to the Nord CE3’s screen 6.7-inch 120Hz screen.
The CE2 and the original CE, on the other hand, had smaller 6.43-inch displays but with different refresh rates; the CE2 had a 90Hz refresh rate which was a standard for its time, while the original CE also featured a 90Hz rate.
2. Design and Build
The design language has evolved throughout the generations. The Nord CE 4 offers two color options – Dark Chrome and Celadon Marble. The Dark Chrome offers a subtle gradient finish, while the Celadon Marble boasts a premium and vibrant design inspired by the OnePlus 11. The Nord CE 3 offers a more standard design aesthetic.
The Nord CE 2 5G comes in Gray Mirror and Bahama Blue color options, with a mirror-like finish for Gray Mirror and a gradient finish for Bahama Blue. The original CE comes in Blue Void with a matte finish, Charcoal Ink with a glossy finish, and Silver Ray which reflects light for a gradient effect.
All four phones offer a plastic build. Both the CE 3 and CE 4 are said to have a new internal structure for better drop protection.
3. Performance
The Nord CE4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC, coupled with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. This represents a significant upgrade from the Nord CE3’s Snapdragon 782G and even more so from the CE2’s MediaTek Dimensity 900 and the original CE’s Snapdragon 750G.
Each successive model has seen improvements in processing power and storage capabilities, ensuring that the Nord CE series remains competitive in terms of performance.
4. Camera
The camera setups differ slightly across the generations. The Nord CE 4 features a 50MP main sensor with a Sony LYT-600 sensor and OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) for sharper low-light photos. It’s accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide sensor and a 16MP front camera. The Nord CE 3 boasts a higher resolution 50MP main sensor (Sony IMX890) but lacks OIS. It also has an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 16MP front camera.
The Nord CE 2 sports a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 16MP front camera. The original Nord CE also has a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP mono sensor, and a 16MP front camera.
While megapixel count doesn’t always translate to better quality, the newer Sony LYT-600 sensor in the CE 4 might offer some improvements in image processing and low-light performance.
5. Battery and Charging
The Nord CE 4 boasts a larger 5500mAh battery compared to the 5000mAh battery in the Nord CE 3. While the original Nord CE and Nord CE 2 5G come with a 4500mAh battery. However, the Nord CE 4 takes the charging crown with its support for 100W SuperVOOC fast charging, which can juice up the phone from 0 to 100% in just 29 minutes.
The Nord CE 3 and the Nord CE 2 5G support 80W and 65W SuperVOOC fast charging respectively while the original Nord CE has the 30T Plus Warp Charge.
6. Software
Running Android 14 with OxygenOS 14, the Nord CE4 continues OnePlus’s tradition of offering a clean, user-friendly software experience with the promise of regular updates. This commitment is consistent across the Nord CE series, with each device receiving at least two Android updates and three years of security updates.
7. Other Features
The Nord CE 4 comes with some flagship features like Aqua Touch and ProXDR technology, which are not present in the previous generations. All phones offer standard connectivity options.
The CE 4 and CE 3 come with dust and splash-resistant (IP54) ratings. All four phones offer an in-display fingerprint sensor.
8. Here’s a quick table summarizing the key points
| Feature | Nord CE 4 | Nord CE 3 | Nord CE 2 5G | Nord CE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 1100 nits | 6.7-inch AMOLED, 120Hz, 800 nits | 6.43-inch AMOLED, 90Hz | 6.43-inch AMOLED, 90Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 | Snapdragon 782G | MediaTek Dimensity 900 5G | Snapdragon 750G 5G |
| RAM | 8GB + 8GB (virtually expandable) | 8GB or 12GB | 6GB or 8GB | 6GB or 8GB or 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB | 128GB or 256GB |
| Camera (Rear) | 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor, 8MP ultra-wide | 50MP Sony IMX890 sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | 64MP main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro | 64MP main sensor, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP mono |
| Camera (Front) | 16MP | 16MP | 16MP | 16MP |
| Software | Android 14, OxygenOS 14 | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 (upgradeable to 12) | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 (upgradeable to 12) |
| Battery | 5500mAh | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | 4500mAh |
| Charging | 100W SuperVOOC | 80W SuperVOOC | 65W SuperVOOC | 30T Plus Warp Charge |
| Design | Dark Chrome, Celadon Marble | Aqua Surge, Gray Shimmer | Gray Mirror, Bahama Blue | Blue Void, Charcoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Other Features | Aqua Touch, ProXDR technology |
9. Conclusion
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 offers several improvements over its predecessors. The upgraded processor, larger battery, faster charging, and a potentially better camera system make it a compelling option.
The inclusion of the latest software and some flagship features further sweetens the deal. However, the Nord CE 3 still boasts a higher-resolution main sensor. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual priorities and budget.
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