OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G (Mega Blue, 8GB RAM, 128GB Storage) Review: Solid Budget Pick or Pass?
Looking for a budget 5G phone that punches above its weight? The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G in Mega Blue delivers a vibrant display and epic battery life for under $250. But with dated internals, does it still make the cut in 2025? This hands-on review covers everything from design to daily use.
Design and Build: Eye-Catching and Sturdy
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G sports a sleek, modern look in Mega Blue. This color pops with a glossy finish that catches light beautifully. It measures 162.9 x 75.6 x 8.1mm and weighs 191g, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The flat back and slim bezels give it a premium feel without bulk.
Build quality shines with a plastic frame and Gorilla Glass 5 front. It holds up well in daily handling. An IP54 rating adds dust and splash resistance—good for spills or light rain, but skip the pool. The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is fast and reliable. Power and volume buttons feel clicky.
Ports include a 3.5mm headphone jack—a rare gem in 2025. You get USB-C for charging and a hybrid SIM tray for dual nano-SIMs or microSD (up to 1TB expansion). No wireless charging, though. Overall, it’s durable for the price, but the glossy back attracts fingerprints like crazy.
Display: Smooth and Bright AMOLED Upgrade
The 6.67-inch AMOLED screen is a highlight. It rocks a 1080×2400 resolution with 394 PPI for sharp visuals. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling buttery smooth—perfect for social media or light gaming.
Brightness peaks at 2100 nits, handling direct sunlight easily. Aqua Touch tech lets you use it with wet fingers or gloves—a lifesaver in rain or workouts. HDR10+ support boosts colors for Netflix binges. Viewing angles are wide, and blacks are inky deep.
It’s a big step up from the LCD on last year’s Nord CE3 Lite. But PWM dimming might bother sensitive eyes at low brightness. Still, for movies and browsing, it’s vibrant and immersive.
Performance: Reliable for Basics, Not a Gamer’s Dream
Powered by the Snapdragon 695 5G chipset, this phone handles everyday tasks like a champ. The octa-core CPU (2×2.2GHz Kryo 660 Gold + 6×1.7GHz Silver) paired with Adreno 619 GPU keeps apps snappy. With 8GB LPDDR4X RAM, multitasking shines—no lag switching between Chrome, WhatsApp, and Instagram.
128GB UFS 2.2 storage is ample for apps and photos, plus microSD support for more. Geekbench 6 scores around 900 single-core and 2,500 multi-core—solid for the budget segment. It runs OxygenOS 14 (Android 14) smoothly, with two major OS updates and three years of security patches promised.
Gaming? It’s okay for PUBG Mobile at medium settings (40-50 FPS). But heavy titles like Genshin Impact stutter. No vapor chamber cooling means it warms up after 30 minutes. For casual use, it’s fine; power users might want something snappier like the Poco X6.
Camera: Decent Shooter with OIS Boost
The 50MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor (f/1.8, PDAF, OIS) captures sharp, detailed shots in daylight. Colors are natural, and dynamic range handles high-contrast scenes well. 2x in-sensor zoom pulls in details without much loss.
The 2MP depth sensor aids portraits with okay edge detection. Low-light performance is average—OIS reduces blur, but noise creeps in without night mode. Video hits 1080p@30fps steadily.
Up front, a 16MP selfie cam (f/2.4) delivers clear shots with soft skin tones. No ultrawide lens hurts versatility compared to rivals. AI features like Smart Cutout help edit pics quickly. It’s good for social media, but not a photography beast.
Battery Life and Charging: All-Day Marathoner
Battery queens crown the Nord CE4 Lite. The 5,500mAh cell lasts 2+ days on moderate use—10-12 hours screen-on time. Streaming videos for 5 hours? Barely dents it. Standby drain is minimal.
80W SUPERVOOC charging is blazing: 0-100% in 52 minutes with the included adapter. It retains over 80% capacity after 4 years (1,000 cycles). Reverse wired charging lets you juice up earbuds or a friend’s phone. No wireless option, but who needs it at this price?
Software: Clean OxygenOS with Room to Grow
OxygenOS 14 feels light and customizable. Gestures are intuitive, and the always-on display is useful. AI tools like photo editing and call summaries add flair. Bloatware is low—easy to uninstall extras.
It promises Android 16 and security until 2027. No major bugs in testing, but some users report occasional app crashes on X. The parallel apps feature is great for dual accounts.
Pros and Cons: Quick Hits
Pros
- Massive 5,500mAh battery with 80W fast charging.
- Vibrant 120Hz AMOLED display with Aqua Touch.
- OIS-stabilized 50MP camera for steady shots.
- Expandable storage and 3.5mm jack.
- Clean software with good update support.
Cons
- Dated Snapdragon 695 lags in gaming.
- No ultrawide camera limits versatility.
- Glossy back fingerprints easily.
- IP54 rating is basic.
Price and Value: Bang for Your Buck?
At around $220 (₹19,999 in India), the 8GB/128GB Mega Blue variant offers great value. It’s cheaper than the Google Pixel 8a but matches on battery and display. Amazon and Flipkart often discount it further with bank offers.
For the money, it’s a steal for battery hogs and media fans. But if gaming or cameras matter, look at Poco X6 or Realme 12+.
User and Expert Reactions: What People Say
Experts praise the upgrades. TechRadar calls it a “by-the-numbers cheap Android” that fixes past mistakes with AMOLED and battery. Gadgets 360 notes solid performance but wishes for a newer chip. Tom’s Guide dubs it a “Pixel 8a challenger” for £200 less.
On X, users love the battery: “2 days easy!” says one. But some gripe about heat: “Gets warm gaming.” Amazon ratings hit 4.2/5, with cheers for charging speed.
Final Verdict: Great for Everyday Warriors
The OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G (Mega Blue, 8GB/128GB) scores 4/5. It nails battery, display, and value—ideal for students or commuters needing all-day power. The Mega Blue hue adds fun flair. But skip if you crave top-tier performance or cameras.
Grab it if basics matter most. For more oomph, wait for Nord CE5 rumors. Your wallet (and charger) will thank you.
Price: ₹20,999 - ₹16,998.00
(as of Sep 13, 2025 11:05:14 UTC – Details)
From the manufacturer
5500 mAh Battery & Reverse Charging: Ditch the power bank and press play all day with Nord CE4 Lite’s gigantic 5,500 mAh battery. You’ll even have enough juice to charge up your buddy’s phone with reverse wired charging
80W SUPERVOOC Fast Charging: Add excitement to your day with 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, which fully replenishes the hefty battery in just 20 minutes, ensuring a day’s worth of power in no time.
Superior snaps by Sony: Harness the power of the 50MP Sony LYT-600 main camera, bringing the capability to capture stunning Sony-quality photos and videos directly into your palm.
Boosted Battery Health: Battery Health Engine, with its smart AI and hardware combo, learns how you charge. It extends your battery life to 4 years, even with daily charges up to 80% or more. Easily track and adjust settings to get the most out of your phone.
Super Bright AMOLED Display: Dive into the world of bold colors and crisp visuals with 6.67inch 120Hz AMOLED Display. No more squinting outdoors or running for shade with our super-bright display that comes with 2,100 nits peak brightness.
Dual Stereo Speakers: Experience an astonishing 300% increase in volume with the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite’s dual stereo speakers. You won’t need earplugs, but you might need to apologize to your neighbors for the party vibes!
AI Smart Cutout: Use AI Smart Cutout to swiftly edit photos, choose and personalize cutout selections, and share them with a single tap.
OxygenOS14: OxygenOS 14 isn’t just smarter—it’s designed to deliver sustained smoothness and security with guaranteed support for two major Android updates and three years of essential security updates.