OnePlus recently debuted its Nord CE 4 Lite 5G smartphone in the global market including India. The device comes with many significant upgrades over its predecessor, including an improved display, improved camera as well a bigger and faster charging speeds. However, there are many other choices in this sub-20,000 INR that are also clad with attractive features. We recently made a comparison with the iQOO Z9, and in this article, we will put the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G against the Realme Narzo 70 Pro.
1. Display: Similar but no HDR on the OnePlus
Both the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G and the Narzo 70 Pro feature boxy designs, with flat sides and backs however, the Nord CE 4 Lite has a relatively minimalistic camera island compared to the large circular camera island which is quite common these days. Both devices feature an all-plastic body.
On the front, there isn’t that much of a difference with both devices offering a 6.67-inch 1080 x 2400 pixels screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 600 nits of typical brightness. Both smartphones also have a peak brightness of around 2000 nits, however, only the Narzo 70 Pro is capable of playing HDR videos, so this peak brightness number is kind of useless on the Nord CE 4 Lite.
2. Performance: Narzo has the advantage
The Narzo 70 Pro features a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 chip, while the Nord CE 4 Lite features the three-year-old Snapdragon 695 processor. This chip has also been onboard the Nord CE 3 Lite and CE 2 Lite 5G, which means that the device is still stuck on the performance levels of the 2022 model. While the devices are pretty similar in single-core performance, the Nazro has an advantage in multicore tasks. Additionally, the Narzo also offers better graphics performance, if you plan on gaming on your device.
Realme’s offering also has an upper hand when it comes to storage, as it uses UFS 3.1 technology, compared to the UFS 2.2 used on the OnePlus device. This means that launching apps, loading files, and transferring data will be noticeably faster on the Narzo 70 Pro.
The only saving grace for the Nord CE 4 Lite is its slightly bigger 5,500mAh battery and faster 80W charging. In comparison, the Narzo Z0 Pro has a 5,000mAh battery and 67W fast charging.
3. Camera: Superior sensors on the Narzo
Compared to its predecessor, the CE 4 Lite comes with a significantly improved 50 MP Sony LYT-600 sensor. That said, the Narzo 70 Pro outclasses the OnePlus offering yet again with its OIS-assisted 50 MP Sony IMX890 camera sensor. For those unaware, the IMX890 is a flagship-grade camera sensor that has previously been used in devices like the OnePlus 11, OnePlus 12R, and the Nothing Phone (2).
The secondary sensor on the CE 4 Lite is a 2 MP depth sensor, while the Narzo 70 Pro offers an 8 MP ultrawide (f/2.2) along with a 2 MP (f/2.4) depth sensor. On the front, both drives use a 16 MP sensor for snapping selfies.
4. Software
Software has typically been an area where OnePlus devices excel. However, since Realme UI 5.0 and OxygenOS 14 now share the same codebase, they are very similar. Both devices feature minimal bloatware.
As for software support, both drives are promised 2 major Android updates along with three years of security patches. They have both launched with Android 14 onboard so users can expect updates till Android 16.
5. Pricing
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G has launched for ₹19,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, whereas the 8GB + 256GB model costs ₹22,999. The drive will go on sale starting June 27 with a Rs 1,000 instant discount for ICICI Bank and OneCard cardholders.
On the flip side, the Realme Narzo 70 Pro 5G was also launched for ₹19,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model and ₹21,999 for the 8GB + 256GB model. That said, the brand is currently offering the device with a massive ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 discounts on these variants, knocking their prices down to ₹15,999 and ₹16,999.
6. Verdict
Despite the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G offering several upgrades over its predecessor, its reliance on the outdated Snapdragon 695 processor puts it at a disadvantage in the sub-₹20,000 price range. In contrast, the Narzo 70 Pro boasts a superior processor, significantly faster storage, and a better camera setup.
While the Nord CE 4 Lite’s battery life and fast charging are commendable, they do not sufficiently compensate for the other compromises. Moreover, Realme is set to rain on OnePlus’s parade by offering significant discounts on the Narzo 70 Pro 5G, making it an even more appealing option.
