OnePlus Nord CE 3 vs Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
The Verdict
OnePlus Nord CE 3 delivers superior performance and display quality at $299, featuring a Snapdragon 782G processor, 120Hz AMOLED screen with 950 nits brightness, and zippy 67W fast charging. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G undercuts it at $199 with newer Android 14 software and a 5000mAh battery matching OnePlus, but suffers from weaker MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, dimmer 90Hz display, and sluggish 25W charging. Camera systems both offer 50MP mains with OIS on OnePlus, though A16's extra macro lens provides modest versatility. OnePlus edges ahead in RAM (8GB vs 4GB) and overall responsiveness. For buyers prioritizing everyday performance, display fluidity, and charging speed, OnePlus Nord CE 3 justifies the $100 premium. Galaxy A16 5G appeals strictly to budget-conscious users accepting slower performance for 5G connectivity and software recency.
Who Should Buy
Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 3 if…
- →67W fast charging at an affordable price
- →120Hz AMOLED display looks great
- →Large 5000 mAh battery for all-day use
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G if…
- →Six generations of OS updates — unprecedented for a $199 phone
- →5G connectivity at true budget pricing
- →Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
OnePlus Nord CE 3
Pros
- 67W fast charging at an affordable price
- 120Hz AMOLED display looks great
- Large 5000 mAh battery for all-day use
- OIS on the main camera is unusual at this price
- Lightweight and slim for a 6.7-inch phone
Cons
- Snapdragon 782G is a mid-tier chip
- Weak 8 MP ultrawide camera
- No wireless charging
- Only Wi-Fi 5 support
- IP54 is minimal water resistance
Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
Pros
- Six generations of OS updates — unprecedented for a $199 phone
- 5G connectivity at true budget pricing
- Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display
- All-day 5000 mAh battery easily lasts through heavy use
- NFC for contactless payments included
Cons
- Only 4 GB RAM feels tight for multitasking
- Camera quality falls off sharply in low light
- 90Hz display is a step below 120Hz competitors
- IP54 is splash-resistant only — not waterproof
Full Specifications
| Spec | OnePlus Nord CE 3 | Samsung Galaxy A16 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 192 g |
| Material | Plastic back, aluminum frame | Plastic |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP54 |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.0 x 8.1 mm | 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.9 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8 |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 13 MP, f/2.0 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP, f/2.2 | 5 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 2 MP, f/2.4, macro |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 4 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | 67W SuperVOOC wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | — |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.7 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Super AMOLED |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 90Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 950 | 800 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core (2x2.4 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G | MediaTek Dimensity 6300 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 2.0 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 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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