OnePlus Nord 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
OnePlus Nord 3 delivers exceptional value with a larger 6.74-inch AMOLED display, superior 80W charging, and the more powerful Dimensity 9000 processor. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE counters with IP68 dust/water resistance, faster 4K@60fps video, optical zoom telephoto lens, and wireless charging capability. Display brightness matches at 1450 nits, both feature 120Hz refresh rates. Nord 3's $399 price significantly undercuts S23 FE's $599, offering flagship-adjacent performance at mid-range cost. However, S23 FE provides better durability certification and versatile zoom capabilities. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing raw specs and charging speed, Nord 3 is the stronger choice. Those valuing water resistance, wireless charging, and optical zoom should consider S23 FE despite the premium.
Who Should Buy
Buy the OnePlus Nord 3 if…
- →Dimensity 9000 delivers flagship-tier performance
- →80W fast charging for rapid top-ups
- →50 MP Sony IMX890 sensor for good low-light
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
OnePlus Nord 3
Pros
- Dimensity 9000 delivers flagship-tier performance
- 80W fast charging for rapid top-ups
- 50 MP Sony IMX890 sensor for good low-light
- 5000 mAh battery with great endurance
- Bright 1450 nit AMOLED display
Cons
- No wireless charging
- No official IP rating
- 8 MP ultrawide and 2 MP macro are weak
- Not available in North America
- USB 2.0 data speeds
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | OnePlus Nord 3 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13, OxygenOS 13.1 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193.5 g | 209 g |
| Material | Plastic frame, Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | No official rating | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.9 x 75 x 8.2 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS (Sony IMX890) | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Macro | 2 MP, f/2.4 | — |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 80W SuperVOOC wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.74 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2772 x 1240 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 1450 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x3.05 GHz + 3x2.85 GHz + 4x1.80 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Mali-G710 MC10 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 9000 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.3 |
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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