Choosing the right smartphone under Rs 20,000 can be daunting, especially with many options. Today, we delve into an in-depth comparison of two contenders: the Moto G85 and the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite. Both phones offer unique features and promise value, but which one stands out? Let’s find out.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design, the Moto G85 immediately catches the eye. Motorola has taken inspiration from its premium Edge series, offering a vegan leather option that feels premium and slimmer and lighter. This design choice enhances the in-hand feel, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The Moto G85’s design is not just about aesthetics but also practicality. The curved back fits perfectly in the palm, reducing fatigue during long usage sessions. On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite sports an all-plastic construction, which, while durable, doesn’t quite match the premium feel of the G85. The plastic build of the Nord CE 4 Lite is robust, but it lacks the tactile satisfaction that comes with the leather-like finish of the Moto G85.

Key Highlights:

• Moto G85: Vegan leather option, slimmer, lighter, premium feel, ergonomic design.
• OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: All-plastic build, includes a headphone jack, robust but less premium.

In terms of protection, the Moto G85 boasts Corning Gorilla Glass 5, providing robust display protection against scratches and minor drops. The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite, however, lacks any branded glass protection, which might be a concern for users prone to accidental drops. Both phones offer similar ports and buttons, but the Nord CE 4 Lite has a slight edge with its inclusion of a headphone jack—a feature many audiophiles will appreciate. The headphone jack on the Nord CE 4 Lite is a nod to traditionalists who prefer wired audio solutions for their superior sound quality and zero latency.

Display Quality

Both the Moto G85 and the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite come with AMOLED displays, which is impressive for this price range. However, there are notable differences:

• Moto G85: Features a curved AMOLED panel imported from the Edge series. It uses an LTPS panel, allowing users to switch between 60Hz, 90Hz, or 120Hz refresh rates. This flexibility in refresh rates means users can optimize their display settings based on their needs, whether for battery saving or smoother visuals.
• OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Comes with a flat AMOLED panel, but only supports switching between 60Hz and 120Hz refresh rates. The flat display might appeal to those who prefer a more traditional screen without the potential distortion at the edges found in curved panels.

The Moto G85’s display also supports 10-bit color depth, offering a wider color gamut and better color accuracy compared to the 8-bit display on the Nord CE 4 Lite. This results in richer, more vibrant colors and a more immersive viewing experience. In outdoor usage, the Nord CE 4 Lite’s display gets brighter, thanks to its peak brightness of 2100 nits compared to 1600 nits on the G85, making it more readable under direct sunlight.

Audio Quality

Audio quality is another area where the Moto G85 shines. It features stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support and spatial audio with Dolby’s head tracking, offering a more immersive audio experience. This setup not only enhances movie watching and gaming but also makes a noticeable difference in everyday use like listening to music or podcasts. The Nord CE 4 Lite, while decent, doesn’t match up to the G85’s audio capabilities. Its single speaker setup is adequate for casual use but falls short when compared to the rich, full sound of the G85.

Key Highlights:

• Moto G85: Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, spatial audio.
• OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Includes a headphone jack.

Performance and Benchmarks

Under the hood, the Moto G85 is powered by the Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 processor, a slightly upgraded version of the Snapdragon 695 found in the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite. The Snapdragon 6s Gen 1 brings minor performance improvements and better efficiency, translating to smoother multitasking and better battery life. Both phones come with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage, but the Moto G85 offers a higher variant with 12GB RAM compared to 8GB on the Nord CE 4 Lite, providing more headroom for demanding applications and future-proofing.

In benchmark tests, the Moto G85 consistently outperforms the Nord CE 4 Lite, albeit by a small margin. This is evident in tests such as AnTuTu, Geekbench, and 3DMark. The Moto G85’s slight edge in performance translates to a more responsive user experience, particularly noticeable in gaming and heavy app usage.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is where the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite takes the lead. It houses a larger 5500mAh battery compared to the 5000mAh battery in the Moto G85. The larger battery of the Nord CE 4 Lite provides an extended usage time, which can be crucial for users who are on the go and can’t always recharge. Additionally, the Nord CE 4 Lite supports faster 80W charging, whereas the Moto G85 tops out at 33W. This means that even with heavy usage, the Nord CE 4 Lite can quickly recharge, minimizing downtime.

Connectivity

Both phones are 5G-enabled and perform well on networks like Jio and Airtel. However, the Moto G85 offers wider 5G coverage with support for more bands and 4×4 MIMO technology, ensuring better network performance and future-proofing as 5G networks expand. Neither phone includes NFC support, which is a downside for users who rely on contactless payments. In today’s world where contactless transactions are becoming more prevalent, the absence of NFC is a notable shortfall.

Software Experience

Software can make or break the user experience, and here, the Moto G85 again has an edge. It runs on Android 14 with Motorola’s My UX, which is a cleaner and more feature-rich experience compared to OnePlus’s OxygenOS. My UX is known for its near-stock Android experience, minimal bloatware, and useful additions that enhance usability without overwhelming the user.

Key Highlights:

• Moto G85: Cleaner interface, fewer pre-installed apps (LinkedIn and Adobe Scan), useful features like Moto Secure, Family Space, Moto Unplugged, and Smart Connect.
• OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Comes with several pre-installed apps, including Amazon, Myntra, and Candy Crush.

Moto Secure offers enhanced security features, while Family Space allows parents to create a safe digital environment for their children. Moto Unplugged helps in optimizing battery life, and Smart Connect provides seamless connectivity between the phone and other devices like PCs, allowing for easy file transfers, screen mirroring, and using the phone as a webcam.

Updates and Security

Both phones promise two years of OS updates, ensuring they will receive Android 16. However, Motorola promises four years of security updates compared to three years from OnePlus, providing a longer period of secure usage. Security updates are crucial for protecting against the latest threats, and the additional year of support from Motorola is a significant advantage.

Camera Performance

The primary camera on both phones is the Sony IMX600 sensor, but their additional cameras and processing capabilities set them apart.

• Moto G85: 8MP ultra-wide camera with autofocus that doubles as a macro lens, 32MP selfie camera.
• OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: 2MP depth sensor, 16MP selfie camera.

In terms of camera performance, the Moto G85 excels with better color reproduction, HDR processing, and overall image quality. The ultra-wide camera on the G85 also allows for more versatility with its autofocus and macro capabilities, making it more suitable for various photography needs.

Key Highlights:

• Moto G85: Better color accuracy, superior HDR processing, wider field of view with ultra-wide camera, better low-light performance.
• OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite: Allows 2x portrait shots but lacks the versatility of Moto’s camera setup.

Video Recording

Both phones can record video at 1080p 30fps from their rear and front cameras. However, selfie videos look better on the Moto G85 due to superior processing. The video quality from both phones is adequate for casual use, but the Moto G85’s superior color accuracy and stabilization make it a better choice for vlogging or capturing memorable moments.

Price and Value

Price is a critical factor, and here’s where the Moto G85 offers significant value. The 8GB variant of the Moto G85 is priced at Rs 17,999, and the 12GB variant at Rs 19,999, both with a Rs 1,000 discount bringing the prices down to Rs 16,999 and Rs 18,999, respectively. In comparison, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite is slightly higher priced, making the Moto G85 a more budget-friendly option with better overall features.

Conclusion

Why Choose Moto G85?

The Moto G85 stands out with its premium design, better display and audio quality, superior camera performance, cleaner software experience, and longer security updates. It offers a well-rounded package that is hard to beat, especially at its competitive price point. The Moto G85 is ideal for users looking for a high-quality, feature-rich smartphone that doesn’t break the bank.

Why Choose OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite?

The OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite excels in battery life and charging speed. It is a solid choice for users who prioritize these features, along with the convenience of a headphone jack and a brighter display in outdoor conditions. It’s perfect for users who need a reliable, long-lasting phone with quick recharge capabilities.

Overall Recommendation:

While both phones have their strengths, the Moto G85 is the clear winner in this comparison. It offers a more premium feel, better performance, superior camera capabilities, and a cleaner software experience, making it the best phone under Rs 20,000.