The OnePlus Nord CE3 5G is a mid-range phone announced on July 5, 2023. It launched alongside the Nord 3 5G. It was an India-only model and went on sale there on August 4, 2023. Its launch price was INR 26,999 for the 8 GB and 128 GB version. The phone was not sold in the US or Europe.
Design and display
The Nord CE3 5G has a 6.7-inch AMOLED screen. Its resolution is 2412 x 1080 pixels. It refreshes at up to 120 Hz and supports HDR10+. The body is 8.2 mm thick and weighs 184 g.
It came in two colors: Aqua Surge and Gray Shimmer. Both use a glossy plastic back. The phone carries an IP54 rating against dust and splashes. Unlike the Nord 3 5G, it has no alert slider.
Performance
The phone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G, a 6 nm chip that peaks at 2.7 GHz. Graphics come from the Adreno 642L. RAM options are 8 GB or 12 GB of LPDDR4X. Storage is 128 GB or 256 GB of UFS 3.1. A hybrid slot accepts a microSD card of up to 1 TB in place of the second SIM.
Cameras
The main camera uses the same 50 MP Sony IMX890 sensor as the Nord 3 5G. It has an f/1.8 lens and optical stabilization. An 8 MP Sony IMX355 ultrawide camera and a 2 MP macro camera complete the rear setup. OnePlus lists 4K video at 30 fps. The 16 MP front camera records 1080p video.
Battery and charging
The battery holds 5,000 mAh in a dual-cell design. It supports 80W SUPERVOOC wired charging, and the charger is in the box. There is no wireless charging or reverse charging.
Software and updates
The phone shipped with OxygenOS 13.1 based on Android 13. OnePlus promised two major Android upgrades and three years of security updates. Other features include NFC, an IR blaster, stereo speakers and an in-display fingerprint reader.
Should you buy the Nord CE3 5G?
The Nord CE3 5G suits budget buyers in India who want a good main camera and fast charging. Expandable storage is a plus that the Nord 3 5G lacks. Its chip is slower than the Dimensity 9000 in the Nord 3 5G, though. The software promise is also shorter, with security updates planned until mid-2026. OnePlus later released the Nord CE4 as the next model in this series.
