With the launch of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G last week, the Chinese smartphone maker entered the 108MP mobile camera segment, which has been around for over three years now. While the Nord CE 2 Lite introduced a 64MP main camera with 2MP depth and 2MP macro lens, its newly released successor has upped the resolution game to compete with almost all of OnePlus’ competitors, while the other two Sensors are identical.
However, does the increase in resolution necessarily translate into a proportional increase in the photography experience? According to our review of the Nord CE 3 Lite, shots in daylight turned out pretty well, but the processing leaves a lot to be desired. The good thing is that it has a 3X lossless zoom mode that makes the most of the 108MP sensor, giving well-focused images without loss of quality. There’s no OIS, but EIS support helps improve those shaky videos.
If you’re not quite sure about the photography capability of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite but want a 108MP phone camera that will give you detailed images that can be zoomed in or blown up without loss of quality , then you have many options, new and old. OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite was launched at a starting price of Rs 19,999 and we take a look at other 108MP camera phone competitors in the segment. However, it should be noted that Samsung is currently the only developer of the 108MP sensor, and the differentiating factor is pixel-binning and image processing.
108MP camera phones in India
Poco X5 Pro
POCO X5 Pro was launched in India in February with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G SoC, 6.67-inch AMOLED 120Hz display, 67W fast charging, and 108MP primary camera at a starting price of Rs 22,999 (6GB + 128GB variant). According to our review of the device, tImages captured had adequate detail, but colors were a bit over-saturated. The POCO X5 Pro also has a 2MP macro shooter, but an 8MP ultra-wide lens, which the Nord CE 3 Lite lacks.
realme 10 pro
Both Realme 10 Pro and Realme 10 Pro+ were launched in India in December last year 6.72-inch FHD+ 120Hz display, 108MP camera and up to 67W charging. While the Pro variant comes with an LCD screen, the Realme 10 Pro+ sports a Super AMOLED curved display. Realme 10 Pro is priced at Rs 18,999 for the 6GB + 128GB model, while the 8GB + 128GB variant costs Rs 19,999.
Realme 10 Pro runs on Snapdragon 695 SoC. Our review of the device states that low-light photography could use some improvement. Also, there is a lack of versatility as the ultra-wide and macro shooter are absent, and there is only a 2MP portrait lens.
Moto G72
Moto G72 was introduced in India in October 2022 with 108MP + 8MP + 2MP triple camera setup. Key Specifications Include With a 6.6-inch display, MediaTek Helio G99 SoC, and Android 12 OS, the Moto G72 is priced at Rs 18,999 for the sole 6GB + 128GB model. One major shortcoming, though not in the optics department, is that the phone is a 4G only offering. Based on our review, the Moto G72 offers a decent photography experience through its pixel-binned 12.5MP shots with great details. Even photos taken in low light turned out quite well, with low noise and no over-processing, although the ultra-wide shooter could use some improvement.
infinix note 12 pro 5g
TeaInfinix Note 12 Pro 5G was launched in the country in July last year alongside the vanilla Infinix Note 12 5G, which was priced at Rs 17,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant. There is also a cheaper 4G variant of the Infinix Note 12 Pro, which was launched in India later in August for Rs 16,999 for the sole 8GB RAM with 256GB storage option. Both the 4G and 5G variants of the Infinix Note 12 Pro come with a 108MP primary rear camera. In 5G variant a 2MP depth + 2MP macro lens as well, while the 4G version a 2MP depth lens and an AI lens.
according to our review On the Infinix Note 12 Pro 5G, photography results were pretty advanced compared to other Infinix phones in terms of detail and dynamic range, but the saturation was very high. Even without Night mode, there was good detailing in the shadowy parts of the frame with natural colours; However, like the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite, it also misses out on an ultra-wide shooter.
Samsung Galaxy M53
The Samsung Galaxy M53 is slated to launch in India in April 2022, and is currently the only 108MP budget/mid-range option from the Korean manufacturer’s stable in India. Its successor, the Galaxy M54 has already debuted in the Middle East with the 108MP camera and will be coming to India soon.
Back to the Galaxy M53 – the phone was launched 26,499 for the 6GB + 128GB model, but is currently available on Amazon for Rs.23,999, which is still a substantial difference from the starting price of the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G. However, the phone has an edge over the Nord CE 3 Lite with its quad-camera setup that houses a 108MP primary camera, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro sensor, and a 2MP depth camera. In terms of other specs, the Galaxy M53 features a 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-0 display with 120Hz refresh rate, and is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 900 chipset.
Based on our review, the Galaxy M53 does a better job in terms of daylight photography, but the night shots are quite noisy. Exposure was too high for our reviewer’s liking.
Xiaomi 11i, Xiaomi 11i Hypercharge
Both the Xiaomi 11i and 11i HyperCharge were launched in India as rebrands in January last year Redmi Note 11 Pro and Note 11 Pro+. Key features include 108MP primary camera, MediaTek Dimensity 920, Android 11 OS, and 16MP selfie snapper. Both the phones are almost identical in terms of battery capacity and charging speed. The 11i HyperCharge at launch was the fastest charging phone in India at 120W, while the standard Xiaomi 11i offers 67W charging speeds, similar to the OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite.
Based on our review of the Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge, the phone leaves a lot to be desired in the photography department, especially for its price. There was a bit of over-processing, which was evident in every photo. Together Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge has 108MP primary sensor, 8MP ultra-wide shooter and 2MP macro sensor.
Xiaomi 11i price in India at launch 24,999 for the 6GB/128GB variant, while the Xiaomi 11i HyperCharge starts at Rs 26,999 for the 6GB/128GB model.
