OnePlus has officially launched two new budget smartphones in India: the Nord CE 6 and CE 6 Lite. The devices start at ?29,999 (~$350) and ?20,999 (~$245) respectively, both featuring 144Hz displays and unusually large batteries for their price points.
The launch represents OnePlus’s continued push into the competitive mid-range market, where brands like Xiaomi’s Redmi and Realme have dominated through aggressive pricing. By bringing flagship-level features like high refresh rates and premium charging speeds to sub-$350 phones, OnePlus is challenging the established hierarchy in India’s smartphone market.
Nord CE 6 brings flagship features to mid-range pricing
The more expensive Nord CE 6 includes several premium features typically found in flagship devices. The standout specification is the Touch Reflex chip with 3,200Hz gaming touch sampling – the same component used in the OnePlus 15, which costs more than twice as much.
Key specifications for the Nord CE 6 include:
- 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and 3,600 nits peak brightness
- Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor with Touch Reflex chip
- 8,000mAh battery with 80W charging and 27W reverse charging
- IP66/68/69/69K water resistance and MIL-STD-810H military durability certification
- Stereo speakers (upgraded from the mono setup in the CE 5)
The phone is available from May 7 with a ?2,000 (~$23) early-bird bank discount through Amazon, OnePlus Store, and Experience Stores.
CE 6 Lite focuses on battery life and efficiency
The more affordable CE 6 Lite drops some premium features but maintains strong battery performance. The 7,000mAh battery includes bypass charging technology, which routes power directly to the motherboard during use to reduce heat and extend battery lifespan – a feature usually reserved for gaming phones.
The CE 6 Lite specifications include:
- 6.72-inch FHD+ LCD display with 144Hz refresh rate
- MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Apex processor
- 7,000mAh battery with 45W charging and bypass charging mode
- 50MP main camera with 4K video recording
- 8MP front camera with 4K video support
The device launches on May 12 with similar banking offers available across the same retail channels.
Competitive positioning in India’s crowded market
Both devices run Android 16-based OxygenOS 16 out of the box, giving them a software advantage over competitors still on older Android versions. The CE 6 directly competes with devices like the Redmi Note 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A36, while its massive battery and military-grade durability certification provide clear differentiation.
The CE 6 Lite targets the highly competitive sub-?22,000 (~$257) segment where Redmi and Realme have traditionally dominated through aggressive pricing. The combination of a 7,000mAh battery with bypass charging and a 144Hz display represents a strong value proposition in this price range.
The launch timing is strategic for OnePlus, as the company looks to regain market share in India’s smartphone market. By offering flagship-level features at mid-range prices, the company is betting that consumers will choose quality over the rock-bottom pricing that has characterized much of the budget segment.