OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs Apple iPhone 15 - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 11, 2023 September 22, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 104.4 cm³ 82.43 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.45 "/g 3.57 "/g
Weight 195 g 171 g
Height 165.5 mm 147.6 mm
Width 76 mm 71.6 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 7.8 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Pastel Lime
  • Chromatic Gray
  • Black
  • Yellow
  • Blue
  • Green
  • Pink

Display

Screen Size 6.72 " 6.1 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1179 x 2556
Aspect Ratio 20:9 19.5:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 86.7 % 86.4 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 461 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz N/A
Typical Brightness 550 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A 1000 nits
Peak Brightness 680 nits 2000 nits

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 110.72 mAh/in² 90.00 mAh/in²
Battery Density 47.89 mAh/cm³ 40.63 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 3349 mAh
NFC Support Yes Yes
Chipset Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)
GPU Adreno 619 Apple GPU (5-core graphics)

Connectivity

USB Version 2.0 2.0
OTG Support 1
DisplayPort 1
DisplayPort Version N/A N/A
USB Features USB Type-C 2.0, OTG USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort

Software

Operating System Android iOS
Initial OS Version 13 17
Maximum OS Version 18

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus Nord CE 3 LiteApple iPhone 15Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)165.5 x 76 x 8.3147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8iPhone 15 is significantly smaller and more pocketable.
Weight (g)195171iPhone 15 is noticeably lighter for comfortable one-handed use.
BuildUnspecifiedUnspecifiedBuild materials impact durability and premium feel; information is missing for both.
Display
Display TypeIPS LCDSuper Retina XDR OLEDiPhone 15 offers superior contrast, deeper blacks, and potentially higher brightness with OLED technology.
Display Size (inches)6.726.1Nord CE 3 Lite provides a larger screen for media consumption, while the iPhone 15 is more compact.
Resolution1080 x 24001179 x 2556iPhone 15 has a sharper display with higher pixel density (461 ppi vs 391 ppi).
Refresh Rate120HzUnspecified120Hz on the Nord CE 3 Lite results in smoother scrolling and animations. Missing iPhone 15 refresh rate data limits comparison.
HDRNo Dolby VisionDolby VisioniPhone 15 supports Dolby Vision for enhanced HDR content viewing experience.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 695 5GApple A16 BionicA16 Bionic in the iPhone 15 offers significantly higher processing power and graphics performance for demanding tasks and gaming.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver)Hexa-core (2x3.46 GHz Everest + 4x2.02 GHz Sawtooth)iPhone 15's CPU architecture and clock speeds suggest superior multi-core performance.
GPUAdreno 619Apple GPU (5-core)iPhone 15's GPU will likely provide a significant advantage in gaming and graphics-intensive applications.
RAM8GB6GBWhile Nord CE 3 Lite has more RAM, iOS's memory management might offset this difference in real-world usage.
Camera
Main Camera108MP48MPNord CE 3 Lite has a higher resolution sensor, but image quality depends on factors beyond resolution (e.g., sensor size, processing).
Video Recording1080p@30fpsUp to 4K@60fps with Dolby Vision HDRiPhone 15 offers superior video recording capabilities with higher resolution, frame rates, and HDR support.
Battery
Capacity5000mAh3349mAhNord CE 3 Lite has a significantly larger battery capacity, potentially leading to longer battery life.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite Advantages:

  • Larger Display: Better for media consumption and multitasking.
  • Higher Refresh Rate: Smoother scrolling and animations.
  • Larger Battery: Potentially longer battery life.
  • Lower Price: Offers good value for its features.

Apple iPhone 15 Advantages:

  • Significantly Faster Performance: Handles demanding tasks and games with ease.
  • Superior Display Quality: OLED provides better contrast, colors, and HDR.
  • Better Camera Features: Higher quality video recording and potentially better image processing.
  • More Compact and Lightweight: Easier to carry and use one-handed.
  • Premium Ecosystem: Seamless integration with other Apple devices and services.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite: Suitable for budget-conscious users who prioritize a large display, long battery life, and smooth performance for everyday tasks. Ideal for media consumption, social media, and casual gaming.

Apple iPhone 15: Best for users who prioritize performance, camera quality, a premium user experience, and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Ideal for demanding tasks, mobile gaming, photography/videography, and users heavily invested in Apple services.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your budget? The Nord CE 3 Lite is considerably more affordable.
  2. What are your performance needs? For demanding tasks and gaming, the iPhone 15 is significantly better.
  3. Which ecosystem do you prefer? Consider existing devices and services (Android vs. iOS).

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited Budget, Casual User: Nord CE 3 Lite
  • Power User, Gamer, Photographer: iPhone 15
  • Prioritizes Value, Large Screen: Nord CE 3 Lite
  • Prioritizes Premium Experience, Performance: iPhone 15

My Choice: Apple iPhone 15

While the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite offers excellent value, I would choose the Apple iPhone 15. The significantly improved performance of the A16 Bionic chip, superior display quality, better camera capabilities (especially video recording), and smoother overall user experience offered by iOS are crucial factors for me. Though the battery capacity is smaller, Apple's optimization often results in competitive battery life. The more compact form factor is also preferable. While the iPhone 15 comes at a premium price, I value the long-term performance, software updates, and ecosystem integration that Apple provides.

Emily Harper
Emily Harper

Technology Insights Specialist

Dedicated technology writer specializing in mobile device analysis and technology communication. Expert at translating complex smartphone features into clear, actionable insights for diverse audiences.

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