It’s easy to criticize brands that have made a name for themselves for their low-price, aggressive performance when they constantly drive up costs and stray from the roots of the “flagship killer.” However, the OnePlus Nord feels like a step back and a reevaluation of what we should expect from mid-range futures.
Corner cutting is always an area that has become a problem for OnePlus fans, and for ourselves, but when you consider that mid-range smartphones require some wild tweaks to meet price demands, it’s more expected here. So it is interesting to see how OnePlus has accomplished such a feat with the Nord.
In the past, the company has had trouble choosing the “right” areas to cut. When the entire package is based on this premise, it is even more difficult to escape the dazzling holes in the checklist. Making big leaps in the mid-range market means OnePlus Nord feels like a consequence of consumer rejection and a shift in spending across the smartphone industry.
Realignment with OnePlus’ original vision of flagship performance at an affordable price has resulted in this great little package that is the OnePlus Nord.
Hardware and design
The OnePlus Nord feels like a real improvement over the OnePlus 8 in design betting, and more like a true successor to the OnePlus 7T from a design perspective. Marble Blue’s candy bar styles instantly grab attention, especially in a sea of glass plates.
This feels like a OnePlus smartphone, with the same smooth curves and fun design options. It is a lightweight phone but it has a dense and compact feel on the palm which I think really helps improve the premium imitation feel. Plastic is not a bad thing as it can withstand punishment far more than soft metal, but it definitely shows.
I like how the OnePlus Nord feels eminently more compact than the massive OnePlus 8 Pro, while the increasingly slightly more square back plate helps stabilize the phone when it’s in the palm of your hand. Hope the plastic side bezels won’t chip or scratch easily, but overall the package here feels great to hold.
Moving the camera module from a central position to the top left is something I personally like very much. It’s a unique look for OnePlus smartphones, too, with that vertical design. Overall, it is a competent showcase for OnePlus design and “Color, Materials, Finish” efforts in recent years. It’s nice to see a shiny smartphone, but there’s no denying that a matte finish could have been more consistent with previous OnePlus smartphones.
That said, side-by-side with the OnePlus 8 series and OnePlus Nord it looks a lot like the little brother who does most of the same things but with the correct omissions.
Monitor
Getting a 6.44-inch, 90Hz FHD + AMOLED panel within the under $ 500 price range feels like a really smart move. Rival devices often come with cheap LCD panels and are somewhat expected when you cut down on your smartphone budget, but a good AMOLED is clearly an important part of the package here.
Praise aside, I’ve noticed some issues with the low-brightness display on my device. When I get below the 20% threshold, there are significant yellow or green issues on my particular unit. You can also see bands along the notched part of the screen. I think this could be a manufacturing error with my device, but it is something to be aware of. While frustrating, this issue only appears when auto brightness is enabled. To ease it, I often keep the brightness set to 60% and have had no problems since then.
The on-screen fingerprint reader is as good as the ones found in OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro. I have had no problems at any time unless I try to unlock with wet fingers. I’ve noticed a slightly smaller trigger area, but that’s not a major issue for accuracy and consistency.
Going back to a flat panel is also another important distinction that I think could make OnePlus Nord a better buy than OnePlus 8. Curved displays are great, but a flat panel is more comfortable to use for a gesture-based interface, and the OnePlus Nord proves it.
Software and performance
OxygenOS is one of the best experiences on Android and continues to impress on OnePlus Nord. OxygenOS 10.5 is as nimble and sleek as it is in the flagship OnePlus 8 Pro. I think this is improved at those 90Hz as animations feel smoother and interactions a little more responsive.
OnePlus has also cleaned up the (minor) swelling a little more this time. They invite you to the Google Messages app, the phone dialer and Google Discover replaces OnePlus Shelf. However, setting as new, Netflix and Facebook were pre-installed on my unit. I only use video streaming services, so it was a surprise.
Two years of OS updates and one more year of security patches are still a bit of a pain when the similarly priced iPhone SE gets around five years of support. However, that’s another argument for another day.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G is a compromise, but it keeps things right here. It’s definitely not in the same league as the Snapdragon 865, but I still haven’t seen anything that makes me want more juice from this chipset.
The game has been smooth and the apps load reasonably fast, but it’s the lack of UFS 3.1 storage that I think is most noticeable. OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are one step ahead when loading applications. Elsewhere, I haven’t actually been able to notice the differences between the Snapdragon 765G and the 865 day by day.
Battery
The OnePlus Nord’s battery is pretty solid, but it definitely won’t help you get through several days unless you’re a really light user. I’ve still seen five to six hours of screen using the OnePlus Nord as my primary smartphone.
Being able to slap the OnePlus Nord on the Warp 30W charger is ideal for taking it from near-dead to full in no time. I won’t regret the lack of wireless charging, as the OnePlus 8 doesn’t come with wireless charging as an option, so it’s unlikely to hit the cheapest model. Putting aside speeds and charging methods, I have no doubt that the OnePlus Nord will help you get through most days with enough headroom.
Camera
The OnePlus Nord includes essentially the same camera settings on the OnePlus 8, which means you should have a very good idea of what to expect. The package is pretty good for the price, but it’s by no means exceptional.
My biggest complaint is the digital zoom that instantly deteriorates when zoomed 2x. I’m not sure why a telephoto lens wasn’t included, but it would have made at least some difference. Ultra-wide shots can be particularly smooth in certain lighting conditions, but I have not hidden my lack of love for this type of shooting, so it does not affect my shooting.
The macro sensor feels like a real waste. I haven’t been able to get anything impressive up close, while the depth sensor can make a difference, but the Pixel 3a does more with a single sensor that also seems to have been added to “make up the numbers.”
Up front, the 32-megapixel selfie camera takes some very high-quality selfies that are the best I’ve seen on a OnePlus smartphone to date. If you’re a fan of group selfies, the 8-megapixel front-facing selfie camera will be a really useful inclusion, but the shots are smoother and an ever-widening field of view would be nice.
Speaker
The bottom-firing speaker really manages to be loud, but it’s metallic and lacking in thrust. It is also very easy to cover when holding the device.
Haptics
The only other Android device that matches the haptics on offer here is the Google Pixel 3a. In fact, I’d say the haptics at OnePlus Nord are the best on a less than $ 500 smartphone I’ve used. Every interaction or written word has that satisfying jingle, and the buzzing really helps enhance the experience.
Verdict
The OnePlus Nord is about the first device that really addresses the existence of the Google Pixel 3a in any meaningful way. Yes, you can get cheaper Android smartphones in the world markets, but the compromises often prevent the general enjoyment of the experience of using the device on a day-to-day basis.
At £ 379 or € 399, the total package on offer doesn’t feel much different than OnePlus devices like the 7T or even the OnePlus 8. With prices for the brand called “flagship killer” soaring to $ 1,000 or $ 1,000, We need many more options in or around the $ 400-500 price range. OnePlus has done this with OnePlus Nord.
Software is still one of the main components of this package, and it feels as good as a regular OnePlus device. OxygenOS is fast, cool, and this really feels like a rival to the Pixel 3a, the iPhone SE, and even the Pixel 4a, as long as it’s released. You get tons of smartphones for your money, it’s disappointing that the first OnePlus Nord series device is not officially available in the United States.
To me, the OnePlus Nord feels like a jewel in the crown of OnePlus as the new “enthusiastic” Android smartphone that won’t go to the bank. Basically you get the OnePlus 8 experience but at almost half the price. And there is no doubt now that the Pixel 3a and the upcoming 4a have serious competition for those who want clean software and a simplified hardware experience.
Where can I get the OnePlus Nord?
In the UK, you can get the OnePlus Nord from just £ 379 on Amazon and OnePlus direct. Those in Europe can get the OnePlus Nord direct from just € 399.
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