OnePlus Nord CE 3 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivers superior performance and camera versatility despite its higher price. Its Dynamic AMOLED 2X display achieves 1450 nits brightness compared to OnePlus Nord CE 3's 950 nits, providing noticeably better outdoor visibility. Samsung's processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant) outpaces the Snapdragon 782G significantly for demanding tasks. Camera advantages favor Samsung with 8MP telephoto lens featuring 3x optical zoom, 12MP ultrawide, and 4K video at 60fps versus OnePlus's limited 4K 30fps. OnePlus compensates with faster 67W charging against Samsung's 25W, plus a larger 5000mAh battery addressing the Galaxy's modest capacity. Samsung's IP68 rating surpasses IP54, offering better water resistance. For budget-conscious buyers prioritizing charging speed and battery longevity, OnePlus Nord CE 3 provides excellent value. However, Samsung Galaxy S23 FE's superior display, more capable cameras, and stronger performance justify the premium for users valuing photography and processing power. Recommendation: Galaxy S23 FE for overall capability, Nord CE 3 for value and charging.
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 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 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 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 CE 3 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 13 (OxygenOS 13.1) | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 209 g |
| Material | Plastic back, aluminum frame | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP54 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 163.9 x 75.0 x 8.1 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 16 MP, f/2.4 | 10 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 | 67W SuperVOOC wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | AMOLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2412 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 950 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.7 GHz Cortex-A78 & 3x2.4 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 642L | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 2.0 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| 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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