OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs iQOO Z9: Which phone is better?

OnePlus has officially unveiled its latest smartphone, the Nord CE 4 Lite in India. The new mid-range variant is available in India for under 20,000 INR. But, at this pricing point, how does it compare against the iQOO Z9? Which is better? Let us find out in this comparison.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs iQOO Z9: Display and Camera

The two smartphones are very similar in appearance, both on the front and back. Both smartphones feature a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Nord CE 4 Lite’s screen has a peak brightness of 2,100 nits, which is somewhat higher than the Z9. 

The rear cameras show these similarities. Both variants have a 50-megapixel primary camera and a 2MP depth sensor. The iQOO Z9 and Nord CE 4 Lite include a 16-megapixel front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. These gadgets have a plastic frame and back, but the iQOO Z9 has a slight edge due to its IP54 exemption for water and dust protection.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs iQOO Z9: Chipset

While the two devices have many similarities, one of the most significant distinctions between the Nord CE 4 Lite and iQOO Z9 is their chipsets. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 695 SoC. Meanwhile, the iQOO Z9 is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7200 SoC. For whatever reason, OnePlus chose to keep the Snapdragon 695, which was also used on the Nord CE 2 Lite and Nord CE 3 Lite. This suggests that it is still using an outdated processor. So, although being released in March 2024, the iQOO Z9 has a better chipset.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs iQOO Z9: Battery and Faster Charging

Battery life is one area where OnePlus excels. The iQOO Z9 is powered by a 5,000mAh battery, whilst the Nord CE 4 Lite uses a larger 5,500mAh cell. The latter additionally supports 80W of wired fast charging, whilst the former only supports 44W. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite can charge up to 100 percent in 52 minutes. According to official notes, the iQOO Z9 could only charge to 50% capacity in 30 minutes.

OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite vs iQOO Z9: Pricing and Verdict

OnePlus and iQOO’s mid-range handsets are available in two storage configurations with equal prices. The 8GB + 128GB edition costs 19,999 INR, while the 8GB + 256GB version costs 21,999 INR. However, the iQOO Z9 is presently on sale for a significant 3,000 INR discount. This reduces the effective price down to 16,999 INR. If you’re on a tight budget, the iQOO Z9 appears to be a better fit for your needs. The Nord CE 4 Lite is difficult to suggest at the moment due to its old processor and cost. Although bank incentives provide a flat 1,000 INR discount on the new OnePlus phone, the iQOO Z9 remains the better option.

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