OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite vs Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ - Detailed Phone Comparison

Detailed Comparison

Specification

General

Launch Date April 11, 2023 October 16, 2023
Release Year 2023 2023

Physical

Volume 104.4 cm³ 343.94 cm³
Screen Size to Weight Ratio 3.45 "/g 1.98 "/g
Weight 195 g 627 g
Height 165.5 mm 285.4 mm
Width 76 mm 185.4 mm
Thickness 8.3 mm 6.5 mm
Foldable Design No No
Available Colors
  • Pastel Lime
  • Chromatic Gray
  • Silver
  • Gray
  • Mint
  • Lavender

Display

Screen Size 6.72 " 12.4 "
Resolution 1080 x 2400 1600 x 2560
Aspect Ratio 20:9 16:9
Screen-to-Body Ratio 86.7 % 84.3 %
Pixel Density 391 PPI 243 PPI
Refresh Rate 120 Hz 90 Hz
Typical Brightness 550 nits N/A
HBM Brightness N/A N/A
Peak Brightness 680 nits N/A

Hardware

Battery Capacity per Screen Area 110.72 mAh/in² 65.62 mAh/in²
Battery Density 47.89 mAh/cm³ 29.34 mAh/cm³
Battery Capacity 5000 mAh 10090 mAh
NFC Support Yes No
Chipset Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm) Exynos 1380 (5 nm)
CPU Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6x1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55)
GPU Adreno 619 Mali-G68 MP5

Connectivity

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

Software

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

Comparison Summary

1. Specifications Comparison

FeatureOnePlus Nord CE 3 LiteSamsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+Practical Impact
Design
Dimensions (mm)165.5 x 76 x 8.3285.4 x 185.4 x 6.5The Nord CE 3 Lite is a typical smartphone size, pocketable and one-hand usable. The Tab S9 FE+ is a large tablet, requiring two hands and a bag for transport.
Weight (g)195627Significant weight difference; Nord CE 3 Lite is comfortable for extended use, while the Tab S9 FE+ can be tiring to hold.
Display
Size (inches)6.7212.4Larger display on the Tab S9 FE+ offers more immersive media consumption and multitasking space.
Resolution1080 x 24001600 x 2560Despite lower pixel density (PPI), the Tab S9 FE+'s larger display provides ample screen real estate. Nord CE 3 Lite has a sharper, more detailed image due to higher PPI.
Refresh Rate (Hz)12090Smoother scrolling and animations on the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Display TypeIPS LCDIPS LCDBoth use IPS LCD technology; expect good color reproduction and viewing angles but potentially lower contrast compared to OLED.
Performance
ChipsetSnapdragon 695 5GExynos 1380Exynos 1380 generally offers better performance than Snapdragon 695, leading to faster app loading and smoother multitasking, especially noticeable on the larger tablet.
CPUOcta-core (2x2.2 GHz & 6x1.7 GHz)Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz & 4x2.0 GHz)The Tab S9 FE+ has a more powerful CPU configuration for demanding tasks.
GPUAdreno 619Mali-G68 MP5Mali-G68 MP5 generally provides superior graphics performance for gaming and media editing compared to Adreno 619.
RAM8GB8/12GBBoth offer ample RAM for multitasking; 12GB option on the Tab S9 FE+ provides headroom for even more demanding applications.
Camera
Rear Camera108MP Main, 2MP Macro, 2MP Depth12MP Main, 8MP WideNord CE 3 Lite boasts a higher resolution main sensor, potentially capturing more detail. Tab S9 FE+ offers a wider field of view with its ultra-wide lens. Practical image quality depends on sensor size and processing, which isn't fully detailed here.
Front Camera16MP8MPHigher resolution selfie camera on the Nord CE 3 Lite.
Battery
Capacity (mAh)500010090Significantly larger battery on the Tab S9 FE+ due to its tablet form factor, translating to much longer battery life.

2. Key Differences Analysis

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite Advantages:

  • Portability: Significantly smaller and lighter, ideal for one-handed use and pocket portability.
  • Higher Refresh Rate Display: Smoother user experience for scrolling and gaming.
  • Higher Resolution Main Camera: Potentially better detail in photos.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ Advantages:

  • Larger Display: More immersive experience for media consumption, multitasking, and creative work.
  • Powerful Performance: Exynos 1380 and higher RAM options offer superior performance for demanding tasks.
  • Much Larger Battery: Significantly longer battery life.
  • Latest Android OS support: Guaranteed updates up to Android 17.

Trade-offs:

  • Portability vs. Screen Size: Nord CE 3 Lite prioritizes portability, while Tab S9 FE+ maximizes screen real estate.
  • Performance vs. Battery Life: Tab S9 FE+ prioritizes performance and battery life, while Nord CE 3 Lite balances performance with efficiency.

3. User Profiles & Recommendations

OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite:

  • Ideal User: Individuals seeking a budget-friendly, portable smartphone for everyday use, social media, light gaming, and photography.
  • Use Cases: Everyday communication, web browsing, social media, casual gaming, capturing photos and videos on the go.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+:

  • Ideal User: Users who prioritize a large screen for media consumption, productivity tasks, creative work (drawing, note-taking), and extended battery life. Students, artists, and professionals who need a portable workstation.
  • Use Cases: Watching movies, reading e-books, online learning, digital art creation, note-taking, multitasking with multiple apps.

4. Decision Framework

Key Questions for Buyers:

  1. What is your primary use case? (e.g., communication, entertainment, productivity)
  2. How important is portability? (e.g., pocket-sized vs. bag required)
  3. What is your budget?

Scenario-Based Recommendations:

  • Limited Budget & Portability is Key: OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
  • Large Screen for Media & Productivity: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+

My Choice: OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE+ offers a compelling large-screen experience and powerful performance, I would choose the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite. My primary need is a portable device for everyday communication, web browsing, and occasional photography. The Nord CE 3 Lite's compact size, lighter weight, and smoother 120Hz display cater better to my on-the-go lifestyle. The Tab S9 FE+, while impressive, is simply too large for my daily needs and would be cumbersome to carry around. The Nord CE 3 Lite offers a better balance of features and portability for my personal preferences and use cases. The price difference is also significant, making the Nord CE 3 Lite a more compelling value proposition for me.

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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Bridging technical complexity with engaging, accessible narratives.