Apple iPhone 16 vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite
The Verdict
Apple's iPhone 16 delivers a premium experience with its vibrant 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display featuring 2000 nits brightness and smooth 60Hz refresh rate, paired with the powerhouse A18 chip ensuring excellent performance and longevity. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite compensates with a larger 6.72-inch IPS LCD panel at 120Hz and impressive 5000 mAh battery with rapid 67W charging, though its Snapdragon 695 processor trails significantly. Camera quality favors iPhone 16 with superior 48MP main sensor, Dolby Vision 4K video, and computational photography, while Nord CE 3 Lite offers 108MP resolution but lacks processing prowess. Build quality strongly favors iPhone 16 with IP68 water resistance and premium materials versus plastic construction. For budget-conscious buyers seeking battery life and screen size, Nord CE 3 Lite provides value, but iPhone 16's ecosystem integration, performance, durability, and camera system justify the premium for most users.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Apple iPhone 16 if…
- →A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- →New Camera Control button
- →Compact and lightweight design
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 16
Pros
- A18 chip enables Apple Intelligence
- New Camera Control button
- Compact and lightweight design
- Improved 48 MP main camera
- Strong battery life for its size
Cons
- Still 60Hz display in 2024
- USB-C limited to USB 2.0 speeds
- No telephoto lens
- No always-on display
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 16 | OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Software | iOS 18 | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 170 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame | Plastic frame and back |
| IP rating | IP68 | None |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 165.8 x 76 x 8.3 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 48 MP | 108 MP, f/1.75, PDAF |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 16 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | — |
| Depth | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | — | 2 MP, f/2.4 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3561 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 20W wired | 67W SUPERVOOC |
| Wireless charging | 25W MagSafe | No |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.1 inches | 6.72 inches |
| Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 2556 x 1179 | 2400 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 680 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Hexa-core | Octa-core (2x2.2 GHz + 6x1.7 GHz) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (5-core) | Adreno 619 |
| Chipset | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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.
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