Smartphone Comparison: Motorola One 5G Ace vs. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Motorola One 5G Ace | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 166.1 × 76.1 × 9.9 mm | 165.5 × 76 × 8.3 mm | The Nord CE 3 Lite is thinner and slightly shorter, making it more pocketable and comfortable to hold, especially for extended periods. The Ace is noticeably thicker and bulkier. |
| Weight | 212g | 195g | The Nord CE 3 Lite is lighter, making it more comfortable for prolonged use and less cumbersome to carry. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.72" | Both screens are virtually the same size, offering an immersive viewing experience. |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 1080x2400 | Both displays offer the same sharpness and clarity, resulting in similar visual quality. |
| Pixel Density | 393 PPI | 391 PPI | Negligible difference in pixel density, both displays will look equally crisp. |
| Technology | IPS LCD | IPS LCD | Both phones use the same LCD panel technology. Expect similar color accuracy and viewing angles, though color accuracy is typically better with AMOLED. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | The Nord CE 3 Lite's 120Hz refresh rate offers much smoother scrolling, animations, and transitions, making the user interface feel more responsive. The Ace is less smooth with 60Hz. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 950 nits | The Nord CE 3 Lite's significantly higher brightness will offer much better visibility under direct sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G (8 nm) | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) | The Nord CE 3 Lite's Snapdragon 695 chipset, while seemingly slightly lower spec, is newer (6nm vs 8nm), and when combined with its higher AnTuTu score, suggests better performance in daily tasks and some gaming. |
| AnTuTu Score | 330,000 | 402,916 | The Nord CE 3 Lite scores significantly higher in benchmarks suggesting it will offer faster app loading and smoother overall operation. |
| GPU | Adreno 619 | Adreno 619 | Both phones use the same GPU; gaming performance will be comparable between them. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 48MP, f/1.7, 0.80 µm pixel size | 108MP, f/1.7, 1/1.67" sensor, Samsung HM6, 0.64 µm pixel size | The Nord CE 3 Lite's 108MP camera will capture more detailed photos than the Ace's 48MP sensor, especially in good lighting conditions, despite having smaller individual pixels. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 16MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | 16MP, f/2.4, 1.00 µm pixel size | The Ace's front camera has a slightly wider aperture, which might result in better low-light selfies. Individual pixel size is larger. |
| Wide Angle Lens | 8MP, f/2.2, 1.12 µm pixel size | Not Available | The Ace has a dedicated wide-angle camera for capturing wider landscapes or group photos. The Nord CE 3 Lite lacks this. |
| Portrait Lens | Not Available | 2MP, f/2.4 | The Nord CE 3 Lite has a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait shots with background blur, something the Ace lacks. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4, 1.75 µm pixel size | 2MP, f/2.4 | Both offer similar macro lenses for close-up shots, with the Ace having slightly larger individual pixel size. |
| Video Resolution | Up to 4K@30fps w/ EIS | Up to 1080p@30fps | The Ace can record higher quality 4K video which will result in better videos, especially for enthusiasts who want to shoot footage to view on bigger screens, while the Nord CE 3 Lite will give 1080P footage |
| Video Features | EIS, Slow-motion (60fps) | EIS, Ultra Stable Video, Slow-motion (120fps) | The Nord CE 3 Lite's video mode supports slow motion at 120 FPS compared to 60 FPS on the Ace. The OnePlus also supports ultra stable video. Both offer video stabilization. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both phones offer similar battery capacity, expect similar battery life during typical use |
| Charging | 15W Fast Charging (Li-Ion) | 67W Fast Charging (Li-Polymer) | The Nord CE 3 Lite's much faster 67W charging significantly reduces charging time. The Ace will charge much slower. |
| Battery Features | 10W rapid charger in box, Non-removable | Reverse Charging, Non-removable | The Nord CE 3 Lite can reverse charge, which can be convenient for charging other devices. The Ace includes a 10W charger in the box. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 | Android 13 | The Nord CE 3 Lite ships with a significantly newer version of Android, offering enhanced features, security, and performance |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi MiMO | Both have the same Wi-Fi standards but Nord CE 3 Lite supports Wi-Fi MIMO |
| Bluetooth | 5.1 LE, A2DP, EDR, LE | 5.1 LE, A2DP, LE, APT-x, LDAC, SBC, AAC | Nord CE 3 Lite has wider range of Bluetooth codec support, which can result in better audio with compatible devices |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, SUPL, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, QZSS, Galileo | The Nord CE 3 Lite supports more satellite systems for better accuracy and reliability for navigation. |
| SIM | Single SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | The Nord CE 3 Lite supports Dual SIM Dual Standby, allowing you to use two SIMs at the same time. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 64/128 GB | 128/256 GB | The Nord CE 3 Lite offers higher storage options. |
| RAM | 4/6 GB | 8 GB | The Nord CE 3 Lite's 8GB of RAM will provide smoother multitasking and slightly better gaming performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone has expandable storage, but the Nord has a higher internal storage option. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | 2 Microphones | Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers, 2 microphones | Nord CE 3 Lite has more premium audio features like Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers, for better quality music and entertainment. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint | Rear-mounted | Side-mounted | Side-mounted is more contemporary and generally preferred for convenience. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Hall | Nord CE 3 Lite has additional Hall sensor |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Motorola One 5G Ace Advantages:
- Wider Aperture Selfie Camera: Slightly better low-light selfies due to f/2.2 aperture
- Dedicated Wide-Angle Lens: More versatile photography with the wide-angle camera for capturing more of the scene.
- 4K Video Recording: Ability to record higher quality video at 4K resolution.
- Laser Autofocus: Faster autofocus mechanism for quicker and more accurate focus in various shooting scenarios.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite Advantages:
- Newer and Thinner Design: Lighter, thinner, and more modern design, making it more comfortable to hold and carry.
- Higher Refresh Rate Display: Much smoother user experience due to the 120Hz refresh rate display.
- Brighter Display: Better visibility in outdoor bright environments due to a significantly brighter screen.
- Faster Charging: Significantly faster 67W charging compared to the 15W offered by the Motorola.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Higher AnTuTu scores suggest faster app loading and smoother overall performance, especially for gaming.
- Significantly better main camera resolution: The 108 MP main camera will capture greater detail and offer better image quality than the Ace's 48MP.
- More Comprehensive Software: Comes with a much more updated Android 13 operating system.
- Dual SIM Support: Allows for two SIM cards simultaneously.
- Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers: Superior audio experience for music and video playback.
- Additional Sensors: Includes Hall sensor
- Ultra stable video recording - improved video stabilization for stable videos
- Reverse charging - for convenience
Trade-offs:
- Motorola: Trades a smoother display and faster charging for a wider-angle lens and 4K video recording.
- OnePlus: Trades the wide-angle lens, 4K recording and LAF for a much smoother display, a faster processor, higher resolution main camera, better audio, and significantly faster charging.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Motorola One 5G Ace:
- Ideal User: Users who prioritize versatility in photography with a dedicated wide-angle lens, and want 4k video recording.
- Use Cases:
- Landscape photography enthusiasts who need a wide field of view.
- Casual vloggers who want to shoot in 4k
- Users who don't need the latest software updates, but want slightly better low-light selfies.
- Users who prefer the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and don't want dual sim support.
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite:
- Ideal User: Users who want a smoother, more responsive experience with a better display, faster charging, and a more up to date OS.
- Use Cases:
- Users who consume a lot of content and want a smoother display, particularly for social media scrolling.
- Gamers who want a more responsive user interface, better performance and a high refresh rate display for gaming.
- Users who need quick battery top-ups with faster 67W charging.
- Users who prioritize audio quality for music and video playback.
- People who want the latest software and updates.
- Those who need dual sim capabilities
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- How important is a smooth and bright display for you? (If very important, the OnePlus is much better.)
- Do you prioritize versatility in camera options or video quality? (If you need 4K and a wide angle, the Motorola is better. If not, the OnePlus offers a significantly better main camera.)
- Is faster charging and performance important? (If yes, the OnePlus is much better. )
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Photography Enthusiast (landscape & 4k videos): The Motorola One 5G Ace is a better fit due to its wide-angle camera and 4k recording, though the main camera and overall performance is significantly worse than the Oneplus.
- Scenario 2: Everyday User and Mobile Gamer: The OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite is a better choice due to its smoother display, better performance, faster charging, better main camera and better audio capabilities.
- Scenario 3: Budget-Conscious User: Both phones are at a similar price range. If you don't need premium video recording capabilities, the OnePlus is still the better option due to its overall user experience.
My Choice
I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. While the Motorola has the edge in some specific camera features (wide-angle, and 4k recording) and has slightly better low light selfies, the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite excels in nearly all other areas that are more impactful to overall user experience. The Nord CE 3 Lite offers a significantly better display with a higher refresh rate and much better brightness, much faster charging, better overall performance and has a much better main camera and audio capabilities. For most people, the smoother user experience and faster charging will outweigh the need for a wide-angle lens. The inclusion of a newer OS also ensures better long term compatibility. The OnePlus is simply the better phone overall.
