OnePlus recently refreshed its sub-₹20,000 offering with the launch of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite 5G. While it does bring many improvements over its predecessor, like an AMOLED display, a bigger 5,500mAh battery & 80W fast charging the Nord CE 3 Lite, the device has stiff competition in this price range, with many smartphones offering a better value for the money. So, here are some alternatives, along with their pros and cons compared to the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G.
1. Realme Narzo 70 Pro
The Realme Narzo is one of the most well-rounded smartphones available in the sub-₹20,000 price range. We discussed separately why it is a much better pick than the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G. Here, we’ll give you a rundown of its specifications.
The Realme Narzo 70 Pro has a 6.67-inch centered punch-hole flat AMOLED display with a 92.65% screen-to-body ratio. The display provides a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels with 120Hz refresh rate and 2000 nits peak brightness with support for HDR+ content. For biometrics, it has an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Under the hood, it has a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM and 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage. The device has a VC (Vapor Chamber) liquid cooling system to keep the device from overheating, and a 5,000mAh battery with 67W fast charging to keep it powered throughout the day.
The main highlight of the device is its OIS-assisted 50 MP Sony IMX890 primary camera sensor, paired with an 8MP ultrawide unit and a 2MP macro sensor. There is a 16 MP selfie snapper on the front. Additionally, the device offers a 3.5mm headphone jack and a MicroSD card slot, along with Dolby Atmos-supported dual stereo speakers and support for dual SIM 5G.
Pricing:
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹19,999
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹21,999
Pros:
- Better processor
- Faster storage
- Better cameras
- HDR video playback support
Cons:
- Smaller battery & slower charging
2. POCO X6 5G
The POCO X6 5G is another device that provides better value for money compared to the Nord CE 4 Lite. It has a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, offering a 1.5K resolution (1220 x 2712 pixels), a 120Hz refresh rate, and an in-screen fingerprint scanner. The device is built for durability with Gorilla Glass Victus protection and an IP54-rated chassis.
The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset, paired with LPDDR4x RAM, UFS 2.2 storage, and a 5,100mAh battery that supports 67W fast charging. In terms of cameras, the X6 features a 16-megapixel front camera capable of 1080p 60hz video recording. On the back, it has a 64-megapixel main camera with OIS that can record up to 4K videos at 30FPS, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide lens, and a 2-megapixel macro camera.
Pricing:
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹18,999
- 12GB + 256GB – ₹19,999
- 12GB + 512GB – ₹21,999
Pros:
- Better processor
- Better display
- Better screen protection
- Better video recording capabilities
- More affordable
Cons:
- weaker primary camera
- Smaller battery & slower charging
- No memory card slot
3. iQOO Z9 5G
If you are looking for a device to game on in the sub-₹20,000 budget range, then the iQOO Z9 5G is the one for you. It has a Dimensity 7200 processor onboard that provides 60 FPS in titles like BGMI and 90FPS in COD Mobile. It comes with LPDDR4x RAM and UFS 2.2 storage.
It features a 6.67-inch 120Hz FHD+ AMOLED display with HDR, 1800 nits peak brightness, and an under-display fingerprint sensor. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 44W wired charging, and it has stereo speakers for audio. For optics, it features a 50 MP Sony IMX882 OIS primary camera, paired with a 2 MP bokeh lens and a 16 MP selfie snapper.
Pricing:
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹19,999
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹21,999
Pros:
- Vastly better processor
- Better video recording capabilities
Cons:
- Smaller battery & slower charging
- No 3.5mm audio jack
4. Realme P1 Pro 5G
The Realme P1 Pro is pretty similar to what netizens were expecting the Nord CE 4 Lite 5G to be. It features a 6.7-inch curved FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has a Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC, paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage.
For optics, it has a 50MP main camera with a Sony LYTIA 600 sensor (4K@30fps video recording), an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 16MP front camera for selfies. The device is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with 45W SuperVOOC fast charging. Additional features include dual speakers with Dolby Atmos, an in-display fingerprint scanner, and IP65 dust and water resistance.
Pricing:
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹19,999
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹19,999 (current)
- 12GB + 256 – ₹22,999
Pros:
- Curved display
- Better processor
- Faster storage
- Better video recording capabilities
- Better secondary camera
Cons:
- Smaller battery & slower charging
- No memory card slot
5. Vivo T3 5G
Specs-wise the Vivo T3 5G is quite similar to the iQOO Z9 5G, however, it is available to buy from Flipkart, Vivo store, and offline channels, making it more accessible.
The smartphone comes with a 6.67-inch AMOLED display, featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2400 x 1080. It is equipped with a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor, 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM, and offers 128GB or 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. The 5,000mAh battery supports 44W fast charging.
The camera setup includes a 50MP primary Sony IMX882 sensor with OIS, a 2MP depth sensor, and a flicker sensor, along with a 16MP front camera. It has dual stereo speakers and an in-display fingerprint sensor. Connectivity options include 5G, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, dual SIM support, and USB Type-C. The phone is rated IP54 for dust and splash resistance and runs on Funtouch OS 14, based on Android 14.
Pricing:
- 8GB + 128GB – ₹19,999
- 8GB + 256GB – ₹21,999
Pros:
- Vastly better processor
- Better video recording capabilities
- Wider availability
Cons:
- Smaller battery & slower charging
- No 3.5mm audio jack
