OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite vs iQOO Z11x vs Poco X7: 6 hours torture, 3 phones and only 1 winner

In the Digit Test Labs, we put three popular sub Rs 25,000 smartphones through a gruelling six-hour performance and endurance challenge to see which one performs best when given the beans. Because, let’s be honest, these are the kind of phones many people actually buy, so this test is far more relevant than comparing expensive flagships.

The lineup includes the newest kid on the block, the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite, versus the iQOO Z11x and Poco X7. On paper, the OnePlus and iQOO enter with a clear battery advantage thanks to their larger 7,000mAh and 7,200mAh batteries, respectively, while the Poco has a smaller 5,500mAh unit. But as always, battery size alone never tells the full story. Optimisation, thermal management, and chipset efficiency matter just as much.

Before starting, all three phones were charged to a full 100 per cent. Brightness was manually set to 500 nits, refresh rates were left at default settings, display profiles were set to natural, and all devices were connected to the same 5GHz WiFi network. That created a fair and consistent testing environment.

2-hour gaming and benchmarks: Strong start for OnePlus

The first two hours focused on gaming and synthetic benchmarks. This was designed to test raw performance, sustained output, and heat control under pressure.

We began with Subway Surfers, where the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite immediately stood out. It consistently delivered around 143 to 144fps, making gameplay feel noticeably smoother. The iQOO Z11x and Poco X7 stayed around the 60fps mark.

Next came COD: Mobile. Here, all three devices managed close to 90fps, which is very impressive in this segment. However, the Nord CE6 Lite felt more stable during intense moments and also ran cooler than the others.

In BGMI, the OnePlus once again led the group. It was the only phone that reached and maintained 90fps, while the iQOO and Poco stayed in the 50 to 60fps range. Which also means that the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite is currently the only phone in the sub-Rs 25,000 price segment that not only delivers stable 90fps performance in COD: Mobile, but also in the more popular BGMI.

Even in the benchmarks, OnePlus continued with its dominance. In Geekbench 6, the Nord CE6 Lite delivered the best single-core and multi-core scores, showing strong CPU tuning. The Poco X7 came next, followed by the iQOO Z11x. Even in the benchmarks, OnePlus continued with its dominance. In Geekbench 6, the Nord CE6 Lite delivered the best single-core and multi-core scores, showing strong CPU tuning. The Poco X7 came next, followed by the iQOO Z11x.

Antutu results showed the OnePlus crossing the 1 million mark while maintaining lower temperatures than its rivals. That combination of speed and cooler operation is important for real-world use.

In the 3DMark Wildlife Stress Test, all three phones performed well with excellent stability scores. That suggests this segment has matured significantly when it comes to sustained graphics performance. Even so, the OnePlus managed to combine that stability with stronger peak output and, of course, superior thermal management.

After the first two hours, battery levels were as follows:

1 – OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite: 85% (Leading)
2 – iQOO Z11x: 85%
3 – Poco X7: 77%

Even at this early stage, the Poco had dropped further than the other two devices.

2-hour YouTube video playback: Efficiency matters

The next two hours focused on video streaming through YouTube.

The Poco X7 has an AMOLED display, which usually enhances content consumption thanks to deeper blacks and higher contrast. The OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite and iQOO Z11x use LCD panels instead. However, display technology is only one part of the equation.

In our testing, the Nord CE6 Lite offered a clean and comfortable viewing experience with natural colour tuning. In fact, even when it comes to the brightness, both the iQOO Z11x and Poco X7 can hit up to 1,200 nits in High Brightness Mode. The OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite goes beyond and can hit up to 1,800 nits. But, more importantly, the Nord CE6 Lite also showed its superiority in how it handles power consumption very efficiently during streaming.

After two hours of continuous YouTube video playback, the battery levels stood at:

1 – OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite: 73% (Still leading)
2 – iQOO Z11x: 71%
3 – Poco X7: 65%

Despite the efficiency advantage on paper, courtesy of the AMOLED screen, the Poco X7 lost more charge than expected.

1-hour video recording: Heat test

The next one-hour session focused on video recording, split between the rear and front cameras. This is often where mid-range phones begin to warm up noticeably. Speaking of which, before the recording began, surface temperatures were already measured.

In terms of the camera hardware, the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite features a 50MP primary camera with a 2MP secondary sensor and an 8MP front camera. The iQOO Z11x also uses a 50MP plus 2MP rear setup, but adds a 32MP selfie camera. The Poco X7 offers a more versatile triple rear setup with main, ultra-wide and macro lenses.

After 30 minutes of rear camera 4K recording, the Nord CE6 Lite was still remarkably cool at 32.6°C. The iQOO reached 41°C, while the Poco hit 39.1°C. This is a significant gap that I just wasn’t expecting, but kudos to the Nord CE6 Lite.

For the final 30 minutes using the front camera, the Nord CE6 Lite remained the coolest phone again.

Overall, the level of thermal control that we saw on the Nord CE6 Lite is impressive, especially during long recording sessions where overheating can affect both comfort and performance.

After five hours, battery levels were:

1- OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite: 63% (Still leading)
2 – iQOO Z11x: 59%
3 – Poco X7: 50%

At this point, the OnePlus had opened a clear lead.

1-hour social media test: The final hour

For the last hour, all three phones were used for Instagram scrolling, reels, and short video playback. This is perhaps the most realistic test of daily smartphone use for many people.

At the end of the full six-hour challenge, the final battery results were:

1 – OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite: 56% (Winner)
2 – iQOO Z11x: 51%
3 – Poco X7: 43%

The Nord CE6 Lite finished strongest, with the most battery left after a demanding mixed usage test.

Final thoughts

Looking back at the six-hour performance and battery drain breakdown, the iQOO Z11x and Poco X7 proved to be capable phones, but the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite clearly stood out, and the two key reasons for that were balance and optimisation. These two factors are the only ones that matter when it comes to making a real difference in everyday performance.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite delivered strong gaming performance, better benchmark numbers, especially in Antutu, excellent thermal control, and the best battery result after six hours of heavy use. It clearly dominated all the test scenarios and naturally came out on top. And, this is the kind of performance that really matters: not just having a big battery and flashy specs, but also backing it up in the real world.

For buyers looking for a reliable all-rounder in the sub Rs 25,000 segment, the OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite is a brilliant option for consideration. The return of the Nord CE Lite series couldn’t have come at a more perfect time, too, as the segment best-seller is ready to take back its rightful place.