CMF Phone 1 vs OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Which Budget Smartphone Under Rs 20,000 is Better?

The CMF Phone 1 has officially launched in India, marking the debut of Nothing's sub-brand in the smartphone market. Positioned under Rs 20,000, it enters the competitive segment alongside the newly released OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite.

Although there is a price disparity, the CMF Phone 1 is equipped with impressive hardware, setting the stage for a strong rivalry with the OnePlus Nord CE 4. In this article, we will compare these two devices to determine which offers better value for money.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Specs

Specs	CMF Phone 1	OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite
Display	6.67 inches, AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 500 nits (typ), 2000 nits (peak), Always-on display, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio	6.67 inches, AMOLED, 120Hz, 600 nits (typ), 1200 nits (HBM), 2100 nits (peak), 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio
Processor	Mediatek Dimensity 7300 (4 nm)	Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G (6 nm)
GPU	Mali-G615 MC2	Adreno 619
OS	Android 14, NothingOS 2.6	Android 14, OxygenOS 14
Internals	128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM	128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
Camera	50 MP, f/1.8 + 2 MP, f/2.4	50 MP, f/1.8 + 2 MP, f/2.4
Selfie Camera	16 MP, f/2.0	16 MP, f/2.4
Battery	5000 mAh	550mAh
Charging	33W Wired	80W Wired

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE4: Price

CMF Phone 1	Available On	OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite	Available On
Rs 26,999: 6GB/128GB	Flipkart	Rs 29,999: 8GB/128GB	Amazon
Rs 26,999: 8GB/128GB	Flipkart	Rs 22,999: 8GB/256GB	Amazon

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Design

Although the CMF Phone 1 lacks the Glyph Interface, it stands out with a distinctive and innovative design. It features interchangeable back panels that are securely fastened with screws and includes a rotating wheel screw for attaching accessories. Despite its plastic construction, the phone feels robust and well-built. Additionally, it has an IP52 rating, offering protection against minor splashes.

On the other hand, the Nord CE 4 showcases a minimalist aesthetic with subtle tones and patterns, featuring a glass-like smooth finish on its predominantly plastic body. However, the glossy back is prone to attracting fingerprints. The Nord CE 4 Lite is equipped with an IP54 certification, providing protection against water splashes and dust.

While design preferences can be subjective, the CMF Phone 1 holds an advantage over the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite due to its customizable design.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Display

The CMF Phone 1 features a superior Super AMOLED LTPS display compared to the AMOLED panel on the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite. In our experience with the CMF Phone 1, we found that while its outdoor visibility is decent, using it under direct sunlight can be somewhat challenging.

Conversely, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite provides a better outdoor viewing experience than its competitors, although the overall viewing quality remains average. Both devices offer a satisfactory viewing experience considering their price points.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Performance

The CMF Phone 1 is powered by a new MediaTek SoC, equipped with 8GB of RAM, expandable virtual RAM, and storage capacity of up to 2TB via a microSD card. In benchmark tests, it scored 1,015 points on the single-core test and 2,867 points on the multi-core test on Geekbench, alongside an impressive 642,187 points on AnTuTu. During our testing, the phone handled BGMI at HDR graphics and Ultra frame rate settings without any issues.

On the other hand, the Nord CE 4 Lite is powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC. Its benchmark scores include 914 points for single-core and 2,056 points for multi-core on Geekbench, and 475,981 points on AnTuTu. It supports HD graphics at High frame rate settings (60fps) in BGMI but averaged around 30 FPS during our testing.

Based on the benchmark scores and gaming performance, the CMF Phone 1 clearly outperforms the Nord CE 4 Lite.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Cameras

During our testing, we found that both devices perform reasonably well in photography.

The CMF Phone 1 captures true-to-life colors, while the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite tends to have high saturation. Both phones, however, struggle with sharpness and detail: the CMF Phone 1 shows reduced sharpness, and the Nord CE 4 Lite is inconsistent in this regard.

In low-light conditions, the CMF Phone 1 manages light flare effectively but struggles with noise. Conversely, the Nord CE 4 Lite oversoftens details and distorts colors. When capturing selfies, the CMF Phone 1 delivers images that are warmer and brighter, tinged with a reddish hue. In contrast, the Nord CE 4 Lite captures selfies that appear more natural, although it occasionally struggles with accurately detecting skin tones.

In terms of videography, the CMF Phone 1 supports 4K videos at 30fps, whereas the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is limited to Full-HD resolution at 30fps.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Battery and Charging

The CMF Phone 1 features a slightly smaller battery compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite. Unlike the CMF Phone 1, the Nord CE 4 Lite comes with an 80W charger and cable in the box.

During a 30-minute YouTube streaming session, the CMF Phone 1 consumed just 3 percent of its battery. After a 90-minute gaming session, the battery level decreased by 21%. It achieved a PCMark battery score of 15 hours and 11 minutes, surpassing the Nord CE 4 Lite. The CMF Phone 1 supports 33W fast charging and takes 63 minutes to charge from 20 percent to 100 percent.

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite achieved a duration of 11 hours and 32 minutes on the PCMark battery test. It charges from 20 percent to 100 percent in just 50 minutes. After 90 minutes of gaming, its battery dropped by 18 percent, and a 30-minute YouTube session used 3 percent of its battery.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Software

The CMF Phone 1 comes with Nothing OS 2.6 based on Android 14, whereas the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite runs on Android 14-based OxygenOS 14. The CMF Phone 1 allows you to choose between Android’s Material UI and NothingOS themes, while the Nord CE 4 Lite offers the standard OxygenOS UI themes.

Additionally, the CMF Phone 1 supports ChatGPT integration, a feature absent in the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite. The CMF Phone 1 also comes with fewer pre-installed apps (29) compared to the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite (50), but both allow for the removal of unwanted apps.

Both smartphones provide two years of OS upgrades and three years of security patches. No matter which device you select, you can expect a reliable software experience and solid support from the manufacturers.

CMF Phone 1 compared OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Conclusion

When comparing the CMF Phone 1 and the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, it becomes evident that the CMF Phone 1 outshines its competitor in several key aspects despite its lower price point. Not only does the CMF Phone 1 boast superior specifications, including a more robust hardware configuration, but it also introduces a more innovative and versatile design with interchangeable accessories.

The CMF Phone 1's MediaTek SoC, coupled with 8GB RAM and support for up to 2TB microSD storage, provides commendable performance capabilities. In contrast, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, powered by the Snapdragon 695 SoC, offers competitive but slightly inferior performance metrics.

Moreover, while the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite impresses with its inclusion of an 80W charger in the box for faster charging, the CMF Phone 1's 33W fast charging capability ensures that the charging time difference between the two devices remains negligible in practical usage scenarios.

Overall, the CMF Phone 1 emerges as a compelling choice for consumers seeking excellent value for their money, combining robust performance, innovative design features, and a competitive price point that challenges higher-priced competitors like the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite.