OnePlus Nord CE3 hands-on review

introduction

The Nord CE3 is OnePlus’ third and perhaps final Nord phone for 2023. After the Nord 3 and the Nord CE 3 Lite, the Nord CE3 sits right between the two, marrying some aspects of each of them and choosing to potentially be the option with the best value for money.

The Nord CE3 is closer to the Nord 3 than the CE 3 Lite. It features the same camera system along with the battery and charging system as the more expensive model. The dimensions are also mostly similar. The display is also AMOLED and not LCD, although it doesn’t have exactly the same resolution. However, like the Lite model, the Nord CE3 has a plastic body and, frustratingly, lacks an alert slider.

The main differentiating factor between the three phones is the chipset. The Nord CE3 makes do with a Snapdragon 785G, not as powerful as the Dimensity 9000 on the Nord 3 but a step up from the Snapdragon 695 on the Lite.

Priced roughly halfway between the other two Nord phones, the Nord CE3 could potentially be the best. Let’s see how it behaves.

OnePlus Nord CE3 specifications in brief:

• Body: 162.7×75.5×8.2mm, 184g; plastic frame; plastic back panel.
• Screen: 6.70″ fluid AMOLED, 1B colors, 120 Hz, HDR10+, 1080×2412 px resolution, 20.1:9 aspect ratio, 394ppi.
• Chipsets: Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G (6 nm): Octa-core (1×2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 and 3×2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 and 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55); Adreno 642L.
• Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM; UFS3.1; microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot).
• Operating system/software: Android 13, Oxygen OS 13.1.
• Rear camera: Wide (main): 50 MP, f/1.8, 24 mm, 1/1.56″, 1.0 µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS; Ultra wide angle: 8 MP, f/2.2, 112˚, 1/4″, 1.12μm; Macros: 2MP, f/2.4.
• Front camera: 16MP, f/2.4, 24mm (wide), 1.0µm.
• Video Capture: Rear camera: 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS; Front camera: 1080p@30fps, gyro-EIS.
• Drums: 5000mAh; 80W wired, 1-61% in 15 minutes (advertised).
• Connectivity: 5G; Hybrid dual SIM; Wi-Fi 6; BT 5.2, aptX HD, aptX adaptive; NFC; Infrared port.
• Various: Fingerprint reader (under display, optical); stereo speakers.

Unpacking

The Nord CE3 has the standard OnePlus Nord black packaging that sets it apart from the red boxes of regular OnePlus phones.

Inside you’ll find the SUPERVOOC 80W Fast Charger with compatible red charging cable that also supports USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. Also in the box is a matching blue silicone case and some Nord stickers.