The OnePlus Nord CE 4 recently made its debut in India. The device succeeds the OnePlus Nord CE 3.
In our review, we called the outgoing model ‘mid-ranger for the masses.’
It was released in August of 2023. But we already have the newer Nord CE 4 from April 2024 itself.
Interestingly, OnePlus is selling both models (as of writing this article).
The official price difference between the two is just ₹2000. However, you can get the predecessor at an even cheaper price on Amazon.
So should you buy the latest OnePlus Nord CE 4 or the older OnePlus Nord CE 3? We try to answer this question in this article.
OnePlus India sent us a unit of Nord CE 4, just like the Nord CE 3 last year. So having experienced both handsets, I have expressed my opinion on them in this post.
Before I begin sharing my thoughts, I would like to let readers know that the brand had no editorial input or early look at this article.
1. New design with same ergonomic
The Nord CE 4 and Nord CE 3 look a way different from one another. However, they are almost identical in terms of dimensions, weight, as well as in-hand feel.
The CE 4’s dual rear camera modules are smaller and are placed on a slightly raised platform along with a ring LED flash. Whereas, the camera modules on the CE 3 are larger and the regular LED flashlight sits parallel.
However, the OnePlus logo is placed at the centre of both phones. Their build quality is also about the same with the back panel and the flat frame made of plastic. Both offer an IP54 rating for splash resistance as well.
The duo arrives in two colors, with grey being the common hue on both. The hero color for Nord CE 3 is Aqua Surge (sky blue), while it is Celadon Marble (jade-like finish) for Nord CE 4. They ship with a high-quality color-matching silicone case.
I prefer colors that stand out, so I love the hero colors of both compared to their grey counterparts (Grey Shimmer for CE 3 and Dark Chrome for CE 4).
2. Identical display with some key upgrades
Both Nord CE 3 and Nord CE 4 flaunt an identical OLED display with a few notable differences.
Their panels measure 6.7 inches in size and sport a centered punch hole at the top. The screens offer a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 394 PPI, and up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
The touch sampling rate and PWM dimming are also identical at 240Hz and 2160Hz, respectively. They also support 10-bit color depth and HDR10+ content.
I find both panels to be pleasing and eye-friendly. However, the display on Nord CE 4 is slightly better.
Because the latest model’s screen can get brighter. Additionally, it supports ProXDR, which means it can show HDR images/videos in native gallery application(Photos) and social media apps like Instagram.
That’s not all, Nord CE 4 also has Aqua Touch feature, which helps in registering touches even when the display glass is wet.
3. More powerful but not noticeable
The Nord CE 4 has a newer and better chipset as compared to the Nord CE 3. However, both of them arrive with the same 8GB LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage.
To be precise, the CE 4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 mobile platform. Whereas the CE 3 houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G SoC.
The newer chip is better in all aspects. But you wouldn’t notice the difference in real-time as both phones feel about the same in day-to-day usage.
The difference can be felt while playing games or performing intensive tasks like rendering.
But there’s one thing that bothers me coming from flagships. That is jittery animations now and then on both handsets.
This wasn’t an issue when I first reviewed the Nord CE 3 with OxygenOS 13 (Android 13). It started occurring after updating to OxygenOS 14 (Android 14). Since the Nord CE 4 ships with the latest software, it also has the same issue.
It is worth noting that this is not a dealbreaker for general consumers. I can feel the difference as I constantly switch between smartphones across different price segments as part of my job.
4. Balanced cameras
The Nord CE 4 comes with a dual camera system instead of triple cameras like the Nord CE 3. The latest model drops the 2MP macro, which is of no use to most people.
The CE 4 has a newer mid-range primary sensor called Sony LYT-600. On the other hand, the CE 3 features an older flagship Sony IMX890 sensor. Both cameras offer 50MP megapixels and OIS.
The ultrawide and selfie cameras are identical on both. They come with an 8MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide unit and a 16MP front-facing shooter.
I found the cameras on the CE 4 to perform better. That’s mostly because of a better ISP and a different algorithm. But still, both of them are not the best when compared to the competitors.
Some devices from other brands now provide a telephoto camera, which is quite useful for portraits and product shots. Also, I find the HDR processing on Nord CE 4 to be flat.
Overall, the camera performance is balanced on the CE 4. It’s just not the best in the segment.
Anyways, the CE 4 recently received the AI Eraser feature, which can be used to remove unwanted objects from your pictures. At present, it is not known whether this feature will be made available on the older CE 3.
5. Good endurance and charges rapidly
The Nord CE 4 draws energy from a 5,500mAh battery. On the other hand, the Nord CE 3 has a smaller 5,000mAh battery.
Both devices can easily last through a day and some more. The CE 4 lasts longer, owing to its larger battery.
The CE 4 also charges faster at 100W compared to 80W charging on the CE 3. But due to the difference in battery sizes, the overall charging time is more or less the same on both (around 30-40 minutes).
The required fast charger and cable are included in the box.
6. Some nitpicks
The Nord CE 4 is an upgrade in almost all aspects, except for one. It lacks NFC, which is present in Nord CE 3.
Thus, you cannot make contactless payments. However, digital payment in India is dominated by QR scan-based UPI, so it is not an issue for most consumers.
But if you often travel to other countries or are a student who will be moving soon to a different country for education, it could be a dealbreaker.
As for software support, both CE 3 and CE 4 are eligible for two Android updates and three years of security updates. The former has already received one Android update and almost a year of security updates.
Thus, the newer CE 4 will be updated to Android 16 while CE 3 will be limited to Android 15. This is not a major drawback as Android is now a mature operating system and there won’t be app compatibility issues for years to come.
7. Another winner from OnePlus
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 follows the tried and tested formula adopted by its predecessors. It is a well-balanced smartphone that does not ace in any category but nails all the basics.
With the ‘OnePlus’ brand power in play, it acts as a superior option over products from other Chinese brands in consumers’ minds. The device also delivers on that front.
From the unboxing experience to after-sales support, consumers get a premium experience, which is unlike other brands that are popular in this price segment.
Just like the Nord CE 3, the Nord CE 4 continues to be my recommendation for most people who are looking for a reliable smartphone around ₹25,000.
Weirdly, OnePlus is still selling the older CE 3. It can be grabbed at less than ₹20,000 at times. In such a scenario, the predecessor offers more value for money despite the upgrades on the newer model.
However, when the price difference is only ₹2,000, it’s better to get the latest model instead.
8. Price and availability
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 retails at the following price tags in India.
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹24,999
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹26,999
It can be availed in either Celadon Marble or Dark Chrome from Amazon, OnePlus.in, OnePlus Experience stores, and authorized retailers.
The OnePlus Nord CE 3 is currently only sold in a single 8GB + 128GB memory configuration. It carries an official price tag of ₹22,999 but often goes on sale for ₹18,999 on Amazon.
It comes in Aqua Surge and Grey Shimmer color options. The product could be discontinued in the near future.
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