OnePlus Nord buyer’s guide - Everything you need to know - Android
The OnePlus Nord is the second mid-range device the company has released, following the OnePlus X that made its debut way back in 2015. The handset has a downgraded processor compared to the flagship OnePlus 8 series and lacks a few other high-end features, but it comes with a cheaper price tag that puts it in direct competition with the likes of the Pixel 4a.
To help you decide whether get the OnePlus Nord, we’ve prepared this buyer’s guide that brings together all the best resources on OnePlus’ mid-ranger. We’ll take a look at how well the cameras perform, what various reviewers think of the phone, where to buy it, how much it costs, and much more. Let’s dive in.
Editor’s note: This OnePlus Nord buyer’s guide is current as of August 2020. We will update it with new content regularly.
The OnePlus Nord (launch price: £379/€399/24,999 rupees) made its debut on July 21 via an online event. Sales officially kicked off on August 4 in select markets including the UK. The phone will go on sale starting August 6 in India. Unfortunately, the OnePlus Nord was not released in the US.
The OnePlus Nord is a mid-range device, but it still has plenty to offer. It comes with the Snapdragon 765G processor, up to 12GB of RAM, four rear cameras, a big battery with Warp Charge 30T, and 5G support.
Due to its affordable price tag, OnePlus had to cut some corners. In addition to opting for a slower processor compared to the Snapdragon 865 you get in the OnePlus 8 series, there’s also no wireless charging or an IP rating. You also get less base RAM and storage (India only) compared to the company’s flagships, and plastic rails around the phone instead of the more premium and durable metal.
The handset is OnePlus’ answer to the likes of the Pixel 4a, Realme X50, and iPhone SE (2020), just to name a few.
It depends on what you’re after. If you don’t need the power you get with the likes of the OnePlus 8 and can live without all the bells and whistles available on flagship devices, the OnePlus Nord should be on your shortlist.
The handset is more than powerful enough to handle everyday tasks with ease, offering similar performance as the two-year-old Snapdragon 845. However, if you plan on playing heavier games such as Real Racing 3 and Fortnite, you may have to look elsewhere. As noted in our review, you’ll experience some performance issues with titles like these.
One of the biggest reasons to buy the OnePlus Nord is for the software experience. OxygenOS is one of the best skins out there, offering plenty of useful features while keeping a stock-like feel. That means the OS isn’t as modified as those you get on Samsung and Huawei devices, and there’s not a lot of bloatware on board. OnePlus also has a great track record when it comes to software updates, shipping out the latest versions of Android faster than most of the competition.
Other reasons to go for the OnePlus Nord include an affordable price tag, 5G support, and a great AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The build quality is excellent as well, as is the overall design of the handset.
The OnePlus Nord's camera system is nothing to write home about.
However, there are a few drawbacks you have to keep in mind, with the biggest one being the camera setup. While the main sensor does a solid job, the other three lenses are nothing to write home about. If camera quality is a priority for you, the Pixel 4a is a much better option.
There’s also no headphone jack on board, nor is there a microSD card slot. This is especially worrisome considering that the base variant of the phone in India only comes with 64GB of storage. If these two things are important to you, something like the Galaxy A51 5G might be more up your alley. There are other alternatives available as well, which we’ll take a look at later on.
Also, while the battery of the OnePlus Nord is a decent size, the battery life isn’t the best in class. But it’s not bad and should get you through the day with ease.
Our very own Ryan-Thomas Shaw has already reviewed the OnePlus Nord and had a lot of good things to say about it. However, he also pointed out a few areas where the phone lags behind the competition.
Let’s start with the good stuff. Ryan praised the software experience as well as the build quality, despite the phone having plastic rails instead of metal ones. He also liked the 90Hz AMOLED display and OnePlus’ Warp Charge 30T that gets the battery from zero to 100% in less than an hour. The main camera is good too in his opinion, and the overall design of the phone is easy on the eyes.
The OnePlus Nord is a great phone overall, but it's not for everyone.
On the flip side, the phone lacks a microSD card slot and doesn’t come with wireless charging, although that’s kind of understandable given the price point. And while the main camera is good, the other ones are far from perfect. So if you’re in the market for a great camera phone, the OnePlus Nord shouldn’t be at the top of your list.
Ryan also mentioned that while performance is good overall, the phone struggles with certain 3D games. If you’re a gamer and often play titles like Fortnite on your phone, a phone with a more powerful chipset will be better suited for your needs.
All things considered, the OnePlus Nord is a great phone, although it doesn’t stand out from the crowd too much. It offers great value for money and is a great buy for OnePlus fans and those looking for things like great software, but it’s not for everyone.
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