If you’ve been holding out for a smartphone that looks elegant, feels premium in the hand, and still doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket, there’s good news. OnePlus has just dropped the Nord CE3 5G in the Indian market, and it’s stirring up quite a buzz — and for good reason. This phone brings that distinct OnePlus flair to the mid-range segment, with a blend of style, performance, and features that were once reserved for flagship devices. And yes, all under the golden price mark of ₹25,000.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G: A Big Deal for the Indian Market
The Indian smartphone landscape has been evolving rapidly. Price-conscious buyers now demand more than just the basics — they want premium design, fast performance, great cameras, and future-proof connectivity in a budget segment. This is where OnePlus seems to have nailed it.
The Nord CE3 5G fills the gap between the cheaper Nord CE2 Lite and the higher-end Nord 3. It’s targeted at buyers who crave flagship-like performance but are unwilling to cross the ₹25,000 budget.
Let’s be honest — India loves a value-for-money product. And with the combination of a powerful Snapdragon processor, a gorgeous AMOLED display, and super-fast charging, the Nord CE3 feels like OnePlus is giving you most of the Nord 3 experience without the premium price.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G First Impressions: Classy Yet Understated
The moment you take the Nord CE3 out of the box, you’re greeted with a sleek, stylish slab of glass and metal that wouldn’t look out of place next to premium phones twice the price. The glass back has a glossy finish (in Aqua Surge and Gray Shimmer color options) that catches light beautifully without being overly flashy.
Despite the large 6.7-inch screen, the phone feels surprisingly manageable in the hand. This is largely thanks to its slim bezels and a balanced weight distribution of just under 190 grams.
The build screams quality. And unlike some mid-range phones that compromise with plastic frames, the Nord CE3 feels solid and durable. You immediately get the sense that this is a device made to last, and not one that will show scratches or dents within months.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G The Design Language: Minimal but Impactful
OnePlus has continued its “less is more” design approach. The camera module is neatly integrated on the back, with two large camera rings stacked vertically and a small LED flash beside them.
The smooth curves around the edges make it comfortable to use even without a case (though you’ll probably want one for extra grip). The placement of the power button and volume rocker is ergonomic, and the fingerprint scanner is integrated into the display — an under-display scanner at this price is still something worth bragging about.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G Display: Fluid, Vivid, and a Treat for the Eyes
Let’s talk about that massive 6.7-inch AMOLED display. It’s not just big — it’s bright, vibrant, and incredibly smooth thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate. Whether you’re gaming, binge-watching Netflix, or scrolling through social media, the colors pop and animations feel buttery.
OnePlus has also upped the peak brightness, making outdoor readability much better. HDR10+ certification ensures your OTT content plays in full glory. And with the minimal punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera, viewing is almost uninterrupted.
For a phone under ₹25,000, this is genuinely one of the best displays you can get right now.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G Performance: Smooth as Butter, Fast as Lightning
Under the hood, the Nord CE3 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 782G processor, paired with either 8GB or 12GB of LPDDR4X RAM. This makes multitasking a breeze, whether you’re switching between apps, playing graphics-intensive games like BGMI, or editing photos on the go.
Gaming performance deserves a special mention. Titles like Call of Duty Mobile run at high settings without frame drops, thanks to the Adreno 642L GPU. And because the phone runs cool during extended gaming sessions, you won’t have to worry about thermal throttling ruining your match.
What’s more, OnePlus’ OxygenOS 14 (based on Android 14) is clean, well-optimized, and free from unnecessary bloatware — a refreshing change in today’s Android world.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G Cameras: Flagship DNA in a Budget Body
The Nord CE3 5G’s triple rear camera setup consists of a 50MP Sony IMX890 primary sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 2MP macro lens. That 50MP sensor is the same one used in more expensive OnePlus models, and you can really see the difference in photo quality.
Daylight shots come out sharp and full of detail, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. Even low-light photography is strong, thanks to OIS and OnePlus’ improved Nightscape mode. The ultra-wide camera adds versatility, while the macro lens is… well, not exactly groundbreaking, but good for the occasional close-up.
On the front, you get a 16MP selfie camera that produces natural-looking selfies with decent background blur for portrait shots.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G Battery Life: A Whole Day Without Sweat
The 5000mAh battery on the Nord CE3 is more than enough to take you through a day of heavy use — social media, streaming, gaming, and music playback included. Even with the 120Hz refresh rate on all day, it holds up remarkably well.
But the real star here is the 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging. From 1% to 100% in about 35 minutes — it’s a game-changer. No more overnight charging or panic before heading out.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G: Connectivity and Extras
Being a 5G phone, the Nord CE3 supports multiple 5G bands in India, ensuring you get the best speeds no matter where you are. There’s also Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual stereo speakers, and an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Sadly, there’s no IP rating for water and dust resistance, but that’s a compromise many will forgive considering the price.
OnePlus Nord CE3 5G: Price and Variants in India
OnePlus has launched the Nord CE3 5G in two memory variants:
| Variant | RAM & Storage | Price in India |
|---|---|---|
| Base Model | 8GB + 128GB | ₹23,999 |
| Higher Model | 12GB + 256GB | ₹25,999 |
With launch offers and bank discounts, you can even snag the higher variant for under ₹25,000 in the initial sale period.
How It Stacks Up Against the Competition
The Indian mid-range smartphone market is fierce, with competitors like the iQOO Neo 7, Realme 11 Pro+, and Redmi Note 12 Pro+ offering compelling specs. So where does the Nord CE3 stand?
| Feature | OnePlus Nord CE3 5G | iQOO Neo 7 | Realme 11 Pro+ | Redmi Note 12 Pro+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Snapdragon 782G | Dimensity 8200 | Dimensity 7050 | Dimensity 1080 |
| Display | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.78″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.7″ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.67″ AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Main Camera | 50MP OIS | 64MP OIS | 200MP OIS | 200MP OIS |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 80W | 5000mAh, 120W | 5000mAh, 100W | 5000mAh, 120W |
| OS | OxygenOS 14 | Funtouch OS 13 | Realme UI 4.0 | MIUI 14 |
| Price (Base) | ₹23,999 | ₹29,999 | ₹27,999 | ₹27,999 |
While some rivals boast higher megapixel counts on paper, the Nord CE3 delivers consistent and balanced performance across the board, with an OS that’s cleaner and faster than most competitors.
The Human Side – Is This the Phone For You?
Phones are personal devices. Beyond the specs and numbers, it’s about how a phone fits into your lifestyle. If you’re someone who values smooth performance, elegant design, reliable cameras, and super-fast charging, the Nord CE3 is a no-brainer.
If you want the absolute best gaming performance or higher-end camera versatility, you may lean towards devices like the iQOO Neo 7 or Realme 11 Pro+. But for everyday use with a premium feel, the Nord CE3 hits the sweet spot.
Verdict – One of the Best Choices Under ₹25,000
The OnePlus Nord CE3 5G isn’t just another mid-range phone. It’s a statement that premium experiences don’t have to be expensive. OnePlus has managed to blend the best of design, performance, and features without overpricing it.