Apple iPhone 12 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 12 delivers a flagship experience with its superior A14 Bionic processor, stunning 60Hz OLED display reaching 1200 nits, and exceptional camera system featuring Dolby Vision 4K recording. Its ceramic shield protection and IP68 rating ensure durability, while MagSafe wireless charging adds convenience. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite counters with a larger 6.72-inch 120Hz display, more RAM (8GB vs 4GB), and a massive 5000mAh battery with rapid 67W charging. However, it lacks wireless charging, water resistance, and NFC capability. The Nord CE 3 Lite's 108MP main camera sounds impressive on paper but delivers lower video quality at just 1080p. Performance-wise, the A14 Bionic vastly outperforms the Snapdragon 695. For serious smartphone users prioritizing performance, camera quality, and ecosystem integration, the iPhone 12 justifies its premium. Budget-conscious buyers seeking battery life and screen size should consider the Nord CE 3 Lite, though build quality compromises are notable.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 12 if…
- →First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- →Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- →Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite if…
- →67W SUPERVOOC charges the 5000 mAh battery in under an hour
- →108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
- →120Hz display is smooth for scrolling and everyday use
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Apple iPhone 12
Pros
- First iPhone with 5G connectivity
- Ceramic Shield front cover is four times more drop-resistant
- Flat-edge design is comfortable and stylish
- A14 Bionic delivers excellent performance and efficiency
- Dolby Vision HDR video recording is a first for any smartphone
Cons
- 60Hz display when competitors offered 90Hz or 120Hz
- Small 2815 mAh battery offers mediocre battery life
- 64 GB base storage is inadequate in 2020
- Lightning port instead of USB-C
- No telephoto lens — only dual camera
OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
Pros
- 67W SUPERVOOC charges the 5000 mAh battery in under an hour
- 108 MP main sensor captures detailed photos in good lighting
- 120Hz display is smooth for scrolling and everyday use
- 5G connectivity at an affordable price point
- Large 5000 mAh battery lasts well over a day
Cons
- IPS LCD display lacks AMOLED blacks and contrast
- Snapdragon 695 is underpowered for demanding tasks
- No ultrawide camera — macro and depth sensors add little value
- No NFC in some regional variants
- Video recording limited to 1080p@30fps
Full Specifications
| Spec | Apple iPhone 12 | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 14 | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 164 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.4 mm | 165.8 x 76 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12 MP, f/1.6, OIS | 108 MP, f/1.75, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP TrueDepth, f/2.2 | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps, Dolby Vision HDR | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 4 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 2815 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 67W SUPERVOOC |
| Wireless charging | 15W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.72 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1200 | 680 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x3.1 GHz + 4x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.7 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (4-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | Lightning | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.1 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
Explore more in phones, see all Apple products or all OnePlus products. View full details for the Apple iPhone 12 or the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.