22 Jul
Blog

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review: Just Call It the OnePlus 9 Lite

OnePlus Nord 2 from behind, held in the hand.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review: Just Call It OnePlus 9 Lite

“The OnePlus Nord 2 offers everything we like about OnePlus phones, from fast charging and a great screen to a practical alert slider at an affordable price. It also looks stunning in the Blue Haze color. "

advantages

  • Compact design with nice color

  • Very attractive screen

  • Reliable software with guaranteed updates

The OnePlus Nord 2 is a particularly important new smartphone as it was the first time that OnePlus released a phone without a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip inside. The Nord 2 uses a modified version of MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 1200 chip and is arguably the company's best-known partnership to date, at least outside of Asia. While OnePlus is obviously looking for success, MediaTek will also be looking closely.

Plus, it's a big moment for the Nord series. The original Nord managed to bring OnePlus back to its value-based roots, but lacked identity. OnePlus gave the Nord 2 identity, but oddly enough, by doing so it accidentally created another OnePlus 9 phone, which makes me question what the Nord range is about.

So there is a lot to drive on the Nord 2 so how is it? I spent four days on the phone, enough time for a detailed pre-evaluation but not quite enough for a final, in-depth review. I will be returning to this review after a long time with the Nord 2 and so the score given at this point may change depending on how the phone continues to work.

design

Let's come to the color of our test model. It's called Blue Haze and it's absolutely stunning. OnePlus usually gets its colors right, but this may be for the best. The aquamarine hue has a glossy finish but does not attract fingerprints, and the Gorilla Glass 5 panel is very effective in hiding stains. It stays clean and sharp.

The OnePlus Nord 2 held in the hand, seen from the rear.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera module uses the same hue, but reflects the light differently because it is not made of glass, and gives the back of the Nord 2 a lot of character. The glass even manages to hide the ugly legal text that has to be stamped on the back. I think the Nord 2 looks amazing and I like how it blends in with the design of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro so that it feels like part of the family.

Another important family feature is the Alert Slider on the side of the Nord 2, which allows you to quickly switch between Silent, Vibrate and Ring modes. It's quick and convenient, and it's a feature that sets OnePlus apart from other brands. The presence of the slider and pretty design make it look and work like a real OnePlus phone, which I think wasn't the case with the OnePlus Nord CE.

The screen of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The construction – a fiberglass frame with a “metallized” surface – and the size are essentially the same as the first OnePlus Nord, with a width of 73 mm and a thickness of 8.2 mm, which makes the phone easy to use and one-handed is to use. It feels solid and solid, and the modest weight of 189 grams ensures that it fits in your pocket without disturbing.

There's no water resistance rating, but I vouch for the Nord 2's durability. It's quite slippery, and the first day the phone slipped out of my pocket and crashed on the cobblestones. It survived with only the slightest mark in the upper right corner of the chassis. The glass back and the screen are fine. I may have been lucky so a case is advisable if you're prone to dropping slippery phones.

The OnePlus Nord 2 and the OnePlus 9 Pro.OnePlus 9 Pro (left) and OnePlus Nord 2 (right) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I found the first Nord a little faceless, but OnePlus changed that for the Nord 2 and effectively turned it into a OnePlus 9 Lite. That's not a bad thing, and really, it's the name that would go better with the Nord 2. Leaving the Nord name on cheaper models like the Nord CE that lacks vital OnePlus elements could be a better strategy.

Aside from the confusing branding, the Nord 2 is well proportioned, well made and – if you can get one in Blue Haze – an absolute beauty too.

Screen and software

It's a 6.43 inch, 20: 9 aspect ratio, liquid AMOLED screen on the Nord 2, complete with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2400 x 1080. It doesn't seem to have HDR10 + certification like the Nord, however it has two artificial intelligence (AI) modes called AI Color Boost and AI Resolution Boost. However, these only work with certain apps. Both cooperate with YouTube, but otherwise AI Color Boost only works with MX Player Pro and VLC, while AI Resolution Boost works with Snapchat and Instagram.

The Nord 2's screen is beautiful and its resemblance to the 9 Pro makes the phone very desirable.

The screen is brighter and more vibrant than the Nord CE's screen, and there is surprisingly little to split between it and the OnePlus 9 Pro when watching video. The AI ​​Color Boost increases the saturation and thus goes beyond the 9 Pro. Turn it off, and it's not quite as noticeable. The AI ​​Resolution Boost is less noticeable since so much YouTube content is already available over 1080p.

When I'm not watching video, the Nord 2's screen isn't as bright as I'd like it to be, but it is still legible outdoors in sunlight. Other than that, the Nord 2's screen is beautiful and its resemblance to the 9 Pro makes the phone very desirable. The sound comes from stereo speakers that are amazingly loud but not very sophisticated. I had no desire and actually no need to take it over about 40% volume.

OnePlus' Oxygen OS user interface version 11.3 is installed and based on Android 11. It is largely the same as the OnePlus 9 Pro, but there are some strange differences in the settings. For example, on the OnePlus 9 Pro you can change the environment display, icons and font in the customization menu, while on the Nord 2 you can do this in the customization menu. Performance is great so far, with smooth scrolling through apps and menus.

My test phone received a software update since I started using it, and I'm still in the process of evaluating the software and its day-to-day reliability.

camera

The Nord CE's camera was inconsistent and the first Nord's camera suffered from poor performance. The Nord 2's camera improves the specification with both a 50 megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an 8 MP wide-angle camera with electronic image stabilization (EIS). A 2-megapixel monochrome camera completes the rear setup, along with a 32-megapixel selfie camera, also with EIS.

The camera module of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

So far I have only taken about 100 photos with the Nord 2, so we have yet to get deeper insights. However, at this point it is obvious that the Nord 2 is an improvement over the Nord and Nord CE, but since OnePlus always takes a while to really improve the performance of its cameras, there are still a few issues but updates are likely to arrive to speak to you.

The focus, color management and dynamic range of the Nord 2 are usually very good. Shooting outdoors on sunny days can result in a slight oversaturation, while edge enhancement and processing can be harsh and noticeable. There are differences in exposure between the main and wide-angle cameras, but it's not drastic. OnePlus annoyingly adds quick access in the camera app to 2x and 5x zoom, but these are digital zoom modes and the quality really suffers. It is worth mentioning the selfie camera which has a nice natural tone with lots of detail.

So far, the Nord's camera has taken some great shots that are very easy to share without editing, but it has also disappointed with its aggressive processing. The camera performance has not yet been included in the evaluation. It's also worth noting that unlike the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, the camera was not edited by Hasselblad.

The focus, color management and dynamic range of the Nord 2 are usually very good.

Performance and battery life

The MediaTek Dimensity 1200 that OnePlus uses for the Nord 2 is the first to emerge from MediaTek's Dimensity Open Resource Architecture (adorably known as DORA) initiative, which allows the phone maker to tweak the chip to do better with the hardware to work. You have the choice between 6 GB, 8 GB or 12 GB RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB storage space. My test phone is the 12GB / 256GB version.

The alarm slider of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

During the time I've been using the Nord 2, a software update has improved the phone's performance and reliability, which was a bit shaky at first. Nothing bad – notification support was a hit-or-miss and some apps were slow – but the issues seem to be resolved now. I've played Asphalt 9: Legends and haven't noticed any slowdowns or issues affecting gameplay. However, it gets a little warm after about an hour.

I have not yet put the Dimensity 1200 through its paces, but it has not yet made itself known for everyday use. This may sound like a disadvantage, but it isn't. Good processors just do their job and we shouldn't even notice them. You can quickly find out if a phone has a badly configured chip. For the Dimensity 1200 it currently looks positive.

However, it gets a little warm after about an hour.

Battery life so far suggests two days of moderate use is possible, but if you're playing a game, watching videos, and making video calls, it will likely drop to 30% by the end of the first day. The super-fast Warp Charge 65T charger from OnePlus brings the 4,500 mAh cell from flat to 100% in less than half an hour. This is the same system used on the OnePlus 9 Pro and an evolution of the Warp Charge 30T used on the Nord CE.

The alarm slider of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I haven't tested the 5G connection yet, but it's good to see that both slots in the dual SIM tray support it. The under-screen fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, but not as lightning-fast as the sensor on the OnePlus 9 Pro. There's Face Unlock too, and it's very quick to respond.

Price and availability

The OnePlus Nord 2 will hit the UK, Europe and India on July 29th. There are currently no indications of a US launch. It will cost £ 399 and will be sold through OnePlus' own online store, Amazon, John Lewis retail stores, and the Three and O2 networks.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord 2 is either at the top of the Nord range or at the end of the OnePlus 9 range, which isn't a bad position. It takes a lot of what I like about the OnePlus 9 models – nice design, great screen, good performance and software, very fast charging and the alert slider – then it charges less for it.

It's a great start. I have to use the camera even more, assess the battery life, try the MediaTek powered 5G connection, and use the phone longer before I can make a final judgment, but for now the Nord 2 has impressed. However, I can't help but think that OnePlus would sell more if it were called the OnePlus 9 Lite.

Is there a better alternative?

For a smartphone priced at $ 500 or £ 400, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It has a few advantages over the Nord 2 with water resistance, two day battery life, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It's similarly powerful and has a great screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

Alternatively, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) and Google Pixel 4a both cost roughly the same price and offer something different. The iPhone SE is much smaller but still offers a great iOS experience, while the Pixel 4a has an excellent camera.

How long it will take?

OnePlus promises two years of version updates for the Nord 2 plus four years of security updates. For comparison: Samsung also offers four years of security updates plus three years of Android version updates for the Galaxy A52 5G. The phone is not waterproof and is made of glass but has proven to be quite durable in my anecdotal experience. It has 5G so you can connect to the newest and fastest network and quickly charge the battery. It should easily survive the version updates that are guaranteed for two years.

Should you buy it?

At the moment, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G can't quite beat the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, but that may change if I've been using the phone for a longer period of time. The number of points received by the phone at the moment is not final and is subject to change. Look out for a review update very soon.

Editor's recommendations



29 Jun
Blog

OnePlus Nord CE 5G Review: A Cheap Phone Made to Last

OnePlus Nord CE

“The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a lightweight, affordable phone with a two-day battery that is future-proof and long-lasting with 5G and a range of software updates, provided you're not too demanding. But just a little more money brings you something better. "

  • Two days of battery life

  • Reliable, fast software

  • Light

  • Screen lacks liveliness

  • Processor struggles with intensive tasks

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a phone that is designed to last for a few years and is good value for money with no high starting price. It's no surprise that the Nord CE 5G has such a strong bang-to-buck ratio on paper as OnePlus has focused on delivering quality hardware for years. But is a value-oriented data sheet enough? Now that I've spent almost two weeks with the Nord CE 5G, it's clear why you don't have to spend more, but it's also clear why you should.

design

My Nord CE test model is in the color Blue Void and it's nice. It's obviously closely related to the Ultramarine Blue on the OnePlus 8 Pro, but with fewer shades of green and prefers to turn subtly into purple around the edges instead. It catches the light well and the back of the glass – not Gorilla Glass, but from another unnamed manufacturer – is handy and feels cool.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The chassis is made of plastic. It weighs 170 grams and is 7.9 mm thick, and that's thinner and lighter than the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, Realme 8 5G, and the first OnePlus Nord. The rounded case and flat screen make it comfortable to hold, but the plastic volume and power buttons feel cheap.

It's unfortunate that the Nord CE 5G doesn't have that wonderful OnePlus alarm slider that has been standard on most other OnePlus phones from the start and is an integral part of the brand's identity. This is despite the company's insistence that the Nord CE is just as much a OnePlus phone as these more expensive devices. It has a 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom of the phone which can be enough for some compensation.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I could complain about the lack of imagination in the design – it's basically the same as the first Nord, and how many more times will we see this shape camera module on a phone? – but it seems a bit silly to do so. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G has a pretty, completely undemanding design that is more noble than the price suggests and is a real eye-catcher in this special color. It's one of the cheapest 5G phones you can buy, but you would never know if you just looked at it from the back.

screen

Here's the first time you want to spend more on a phone, and a small downgrade from last year's Nord. The Nord CE 5G has a 6.43-inch fluid AMOLED screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and Full HD resolution, which is a decent spec on paper but misses HDR10 +. In reality, it can't compete with the screen on phones that cost little more, like the Galaxy A52 5G.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It lacks warmth and vibrancy when it comes to watching video, even after you've dug into settings and made sure Vivid is set to display mode. Watching Carfection's Shelby Mustang GT500 review reveals the screen's coldness as the crazy green paint job didn't show up like it did on higher-end screens.

At maximum brightness, the screen is visible in all lighting conditions, but it loses a bit of clarity at extreme angles. It comes standard with a screen protector that is covered in fingerprints and it really doesn't make the front of the phone look very attractive. I wiped this phone a lot more than most of the others.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Hard comments? Possibly, but OnePlus is good at screens, and while the 90Hz response rate is much to be welcomed, the Nord CE 5G's performance can't compete with that of the Galaxy A52 5G, and even the Google Pixel 4a adds some of the life to it, that is missing the screen of the Nord CE. However, it is very similar to the Realme 8 5G, which suggests that we should expect it from a phone at this price point.

camera

On the back of the OnePlus Nord CE there are three cameras, a 64-megapixel main camera, an 8-megapixel wide-angle camera and a third 2-megapixel monochrome camera, which can be used separately. The main camera's photos are bright and colorful, but sometimes a little too saturated, and it struggles in difficult lighting conditions. The wide-angle camera becomes even more saturated and struggles in the shadows, where it loses details.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera app will show a 2x zoom option, but this is not an optical mode and if you use it the final picture will lose detail. The monochrome camera takes pure black and white photos, but with a low number of megapixels, although I've still enjoyed using it in the past. The video mode can record at up to 4K at 30 frames per second, there is a night mode for still images and a pro mode.

It can't compete with the Google Pixel 4a in terms of photo quality, but that's not really surprising, and the Galaxy A52 5G's camera gives photos a warmer, slightly more attractive look. That being said, and apart from the inconsistency between the main and wide-angle cameras, the Nord CE's camera takes photos that you'll be happy to share, but they may need to be edited beforehand. OnePlus includes an editor in its Gallery app, but the filters are mostly terrible and the customizations aren't as extensive as in Snapseed or Google Photos.

Where the Nord CE stumbles is when you try to do something too technical. It's stupid trying to focus in portrait mode, and it often refuses to focus on something that seems too close to it. Provided you aren't expecting too much, the Nord CE 5G's camera is fine, but if you experiment and really enjoy playing with the camera, it won't often impress.

Performance and software

My Test Nord CE has 8 GB of RAM, more than enough for most smartphones, and is paired with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor. The 750G released in 2020 is a confusing little thing. It's a step up from the Snapdragon 765G in the First North with newer Kryo 570 cores, but its Adreno 619 GPU is a step backwards compared to the Adreno 620 in the 765G. It's made in an 8nm process instead of a 7nm process, but uses the same X52 modem and supports both Sub-6 and mmWave 5G connections.

The Snapdragon 750G is newer than the still-current 765G, and although the G in the name indicates that the processor is geared towards gaming, the Nord CE 5G is happiest when playing casual games like Asphalt 9: Legends, which is rather fast and more exciting than anything more intense.

Genshin Impact is playable with minimal slowing down, but the phone gets warm, verging on hot, after playing for a while, especially if you spend a lot of time fighting. While I have never received an overheating warning, after long sessions with Genshin Impact, I have received a “Your phone's operating temperature has returned to normal” on a few occasions. What lets the Nord CE down more when playing is the sound, which is delivered through a single speaker and can be uncomfortably tinny.

The phone wins in general software, however, with OnePlus's excellent OxygenOS 11 running smoothly and bug free during my time with the phone. I like the always-on screen, which can be customized in a number of ways, and the battery scheduling feature for overnight use. I didn't have any issues with app compatibility or updates, and the settings menu is easy to navigate. It's one of the Nord CE 5G's greatest strengths.

OnePlus Nord CE 5G always on the screen

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

oneplus nord ce 5g review apps

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

oneplus nord ce 5g review browser

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

OnePlus Nord CE 5G settings

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

While the Snapdragon 750G sounds like it should be a little powerhouse, it's not always as snappy as I'd like it to be. For example, it can stall while multitasking. It's not a deal breaker, but you will definitely notice an improvement in speed and responsiveness when using a more powerful phone. The Nord CE is fine for general use, and it has enough power for casual gaming too.

Battery and security

The OnePlus Nord CE is a great phone for casual use, and the battery reflects that. Use it carefully – around two hours of screen time – and barely 30% is consumed before the end of the day. On some quiet days, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G still had power at the end of the second day when connected to either Wi-Fi or 4G LTE. Play games for an hour, play a video, and mix it up with general usage, and the battery should still last a full day with some spare.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

OnePlus' proprietary Warp Charge 30T Plus charge reliably brings the 4,500 mAh battery to 70% in just over 30 minutes, but it takes at least a full hour to reach capacity. Battery life and fast charging are two of the best things about the Nord CE 5G. The Galaxy A52 5G is the Nord CE's archenemy, and while Samsung's phone outperforms the Nord in some places, the Nord's fingerprint sensor is superior. It works really well, even though it's placed quite low on the screen, and there's a quick face-unlock system there as an alternative.

Price and availability

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G has only been announced for the UK, and it is unknown if it will ever officially come to the US. In the UK, it starts at £ 299, around $ 420 for the 8GB / 128GB version and £ 369 / $ 525 for the 12GB / 256GB model. It is now available for pre-order through the OnePlus online store and is sold through Amazon, John Lewis retail stores and the Three Network. It will be released on June 21st.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord CE 5G proves that an affordable phone can be powerful, good-looking, and come with great software. If this covers all of your needs then great, you will be happy with it. However, this is where it is worth understanding whether you should spend a little more to get a superior product that will last even longer, and while there is nothing wrong with the Nord CE 5G, making sure your new phone lasts is crucial.

It's Samsung's fault that the Galaxy A52 5G made such a strong offer. It has an IP67 water resistance rating for increased durability, a better screen, a good camera, two days of battery life, and looks just as pretty (maybe even a little more modern). Add an equally robust software commitment and microSD card slot, and it's worth the extra over the 8GB Nord CE 5G as it will almost certainly last longer.

At no point did I feel the need to rip my SIM card out of the Nord CE 5G, so its frustrations never climbed high, and the brilliance of OxygenOS makes up for some of them anyway. However, there is no escaping the fact that while the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is a solidly reliable phone that is reasonably future-proof with 5G and two years of software updates, if longevity is one of your goals and it really should be at all costs, a balanced one Longer-lasting phones are available for little more money.

Is there a better alternative?

The price of the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is very competitive. We recommend going for the £ 299 8GB / 128GB version as it represents the best value. In the UK, the Realme 8 5G and Xiaomi Redmi Note 5G are challenging the Nord CE on price, but there's little to technically separate them.

We recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G because it has a generous, well thought-out range of functions, is probably more stylish and durable and has a larger, more beautiful screen for little more money. It costs $ 499 in the US and £ 399 in the UK. Getting a 5G phone under $ 500 in the US is a challenge, but also consider the Google Pixel 4a 5G if the camera is a priority.

How long it will take?

The Nord CE doesn't have a waterproof rating or a particularly tough case, so you'll need to put it in a bag if you want to protect it. OnePlus offers a selection of very colorful cases that are perfect for the job. There is good news on the software side, with the company promising two years of updates and three years of security updates. Provided your usage doesn't change there is no reason not to hold up for three years.

Should you buy it?

No. As good as it is, we recommend buying the Galaxy A52 5G for its added features and increased durability.

Editor's recommendations



09 Nov
Blog

OnePlus Nord 10 5G Review: Bringing 5G to the Masses

oneplus nord 10 5g rating 4

  • Solid display

  • Simple software

  • Good battery life

  • Headphone jack

  • 128 GB storage

  • Performance can feel sluggish

  • Camera is a weak point

  • Start on Android 10

OnePlus has long been the bastion of value for money in the Android world, but as the prices of its flagship phones rise, more room has been made for lower-cost devices that still have some great features. The original OnePlus Nord is an example of this, with a solid design and good battery life. OnePlus is now expanding the series – with the new OnePlus Nord N10 5G.

The new device is currently only available in Europe and the UK. However, OnePlus announces that it will soon be brought to North America along with the also new OnePlus Nord N100. At £ 329, it's still not a cheap phone, but it's definitely budget conscious. Should you buy it? We tested the OnePlus Nord N10 5G to find out.

Editor's note: Since the Nord N10 5G is first available in Europe, we have received a European model to test. When tested in the United States, the phone had technical limitations related to 5G bands and other network technologies. The North American model should not encounter any of these problems.

Design and display

Midrange phones have gotten a lot better, and many of the best midrange devices now feature a modern design with an edge-to-edge display. The OnePlus Nord N10 5G is no exception to this rule. The display has nicely rounded corners, there is a (relatively large) hole cutout on the top left of the display for the front-facing camera, etc. The only thing that breaks the illusion is a big chin at the bottom of the display, but it certainly isn't Deal breaker.

The back of the phone looks a lot like other modern OnePlus devices. At the top left of the back of the phone is a circular camera module that houses the quad lens camera. The only difference, at least in looks, is the back-mounted fingerprint sensor, which generally worked fine.

Of course, the look and feel are a little different. The back of the phone looks nice but is made of plastic and you can feel it. It's common on phones in this price range, but I would still love to see mid-range phones made from higher quality materials.

The phone looks great, but it looks and feels different – you know it's made of plastic.

You get all the usual features around the edges: a USB-C port, a volume rocker, and a power button. There's also a strange hole at the bottom. After reading the instructions, I discovered that it was a "headphone jack". Strange.

The Nord N10 5G offers a 6.49-inch display with a resolution of 1080p and looks great. No, it's not a high-end 1440p display, but at least it's a 90Hz, high refresh rate display. It gets bright enough to be used in direct sunlight, has relatively vivid colors, and is more than good enough for most.

Power and battery

The OnePlus Nord N10 5G offers a Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 processor as well as 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. It's not a bad set of specs, and in fact, it's really nice that the base model has 128GB of storage. But there are other phones that feel faster in the price range. A perfect example of this is the Google Pixel 4a, which is roughly the same price and has a Snapdragon 730G – and the high-end Pixel 4a 5G, which is admittedly a bit more expensive, has a Snapdragon 765G. While the standard Pixel 4a does not outperform the OnePlus Nord 10 5G in benchmarks, Google's phones react very quickly in real use and are more up-to-date with the software.

The phone performance limitations are sometimes felt. Sometimes the keyboard takes a second or two to load, and sometimes it can skip a beat while typing to actually show the character on the display. Basic operations are relatively smooth most of the time, but there are times when you are not reminded that you have a budget device.

Benchmark results confirm this. The Nord N10 got 5G 281,214 in AnTuTu and 606 single-core, 1,804 multi-core in GeekBench 5. Playing on the phone is a decent experience. Games take a while to load, but the actual gameplay worked well in our testing with games like Call of Duty: Mobile and Asphalt 9.

The phone's battery has a capacity of 4,300 mAh and could easily be used for a full day. Even so, I recommend turning off the phone's constantly on display. The OnePlus Nord 10 5G has an LCD panel. When the display function is activated, the backlight remains on even if the display is switched off. This can take some serious drain on the battery, and with the feature turned on, I found that the battery was so degraded that I had to charge the phone before the end of a day of moderate use.

All-day battery pack isn't an issue, and Warp Charge 30T fast charging is a differentiator at this price point.

Fortunately, the phone supports OnePlus' Warp Charge 30T and comes with a charger. Since the European model of the device was shipped to me, I have not tested the charger here in the US. However, having tested OnePlus' fast charging in the past, chances are the phone can get a majority of its charge back in around 30 minutes. That is a differentiator at this price point.

The Nord 10 5G, as the name suggests, also supports 5G thanks to the new Snapdragon 690 chipset and the Snapdragon X51 modem from Qualcomm. The result is you get Sub-6 5G connectivity, but not the super-fast mmWave that carriers like Verizon have touted. For most, however, this shouldn't be a big deal – mmWave is barely available, and you really shouldn't buy or avoid a phone that relies on mmWave support.

camera

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G offers a four-lens camera system, but it's not necessarily as versatile as you might think. While you might think that there is a telephoto lens among these four lenses, sadly there isn't. Instead, you get a 64-megapixel main sensor, an 8-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 5-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. I really wish OnePlus would get rid of the macro lens – it's useless.

The cameras are fine, but not groundbreaking. This is where the Pixel 4a stands out.

Photos are fine, but not groundbreaking. If you want the best photos on a phone in this price range, you'd better go for the Pixel 4a, which has flagship-level image processing.

In general, the phone didn't provide as much detail as I would have liked to see. The colors were also a bit muted and not as vivid as I would normally expect from a 2020 phone. This is especially true for trick shooting situations, for example with a light background and darker foreground. Making sure HDR is enabled will help in these situations, but it won't completely solve the problem.

software

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G comes with the OnePlus OxygenOS 10.5, and it's a little frustrating to see that it doesn't come with the latest OxygenOS 11 based on Android 11. This newer software is already widespread and only frustrates the Nord N10 5G when it comes to longer-term software support. That said, the overall experience with any modern OnePlus phone is still good, and customizing OxygenOS Android is still simple and easy to navigate.

You also get some additional features. For example, the phone has OnePlus Zen mode which allows you to restrict your own access to your phone for a limited time. Other functions are the App Locker, with which you can hide apps behind the fingerprint sensor or a PIN code. Basic theme options make it easy to customize the look of the phone, and OnePlus is especially good at keeping duplicate apps and bloat to a minimum.

Price, guarantee and availability

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G is available in Europe and the UK for 329 pounds sterling, which equates to about $ 430 right away – although I would assume the US price will be under $ 400. At some point the device will be released in the USA, but we don't have a date for it yet.

The device comes with the 12-month standard warranty from OnePlus, which practically only covers manufacturer defects.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G is a nice phone. It looks and works fine despite the plastic construction, except for a few cases where performance is a little poor. However, the main selling point for the Nord 10 5G compared to the competition seems to be its 5G support. And if you've read anything we've written over the past few years, you know you shouldn't buy a phone as it supports 5G.

If you are a OnePlus fan who wants a phone in this lower price range, this is a great option as it is the same value for money, solid display, simple software, and good battery life.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're ready to ditch 5G support (and that's really not a huge loss), it's worth getting the Google Pixel 4a instead of the OnePlus Nord 10 5G. The Pixel 4a offers a better camera and an even simpler software experience, even though it's at a slightly higher £ 350.

If you really want 5G support and can afford to spend a little more, the Pixel 4a 5G is the way to go, though it may be a full price range higher at £ 499. If you're feeling really adventurous, consider the iPhone SE, which offers better performance than any phone we've mentioned and a solid camera, although the design is a little dated.

If you live in the UK or the OnePlus Nord is available elsewhere, this should be considered before the N10. It's £ 379 in the UK, and it's a much more tech-savvy phone for just a little more.

How long it will take?

The OnePlus Nord 10 5G should last a solid two years, but should really slow down at this point. However, the phone does not have an official water resistance rating. To bring it to two years you have to be careful with it.

Should you buy one?

No. You should spend a little more money on the Google Pixel 4a instead.

Editor's recommendations




27 Jul
Blog

OnePlus Nord Review: Some Good Old-Fashioned Value

oneplus nord valuation shirt

"The OnePlus Nord has the right features and technologies to make the phone durable at a value-based price."

  • Acceptable price

  • Future-proof with 5G

  • Good battery life

  • Reliable, easy-to-use software

  • Camera needs to be improved

  • Some connectivity errors

OnePlus has always been incredibly valuable, but it got lost last year when prices for its most sought-after devices went up. Today's OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are solid phones, but the price is equivalent to that of the competition.

The latest version of the company, OnePlus Nord, seems to be a return to the company's roots. It is a strong midrange phone that looks attractive and offers some high-end features. That's the value we want to see, but does it make the North a worthy purchase?

design

It's good that there is a large OnePlus logo on the back of the North, as the phone has a design similar to several other smartphones, from the Huawei P30 Pro to the Xiaomi Mi 9.

In other words, the north is not immediately recognizable. It's a proven look, but far from unique. The Gray Onyx version in the attached photos is reserved but attractive, while the Emerald Blue model is a real eye-catcher.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Gorilla Glass covers both the front and back with a plastic frame between the two. However, it doesn't look or feel like plastic, and its use adds to its light weight of 184 grams. You shouldn't worry about the plastic frame feeling cheap, but the phone's metal keys lack the OnePlus 8's positive premium promotion of metal and glass.

OnePlus has a brand notification slider that allows you to quickly change the mode from silent to ringing or vibrating. The edited texture makes it easy to use. All buttons are well positioned, provided you are using the phone with your right hand. The phone's 73mm width and 8.2mm thickness make it easy to grip and hold. It's about the size of a Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The phone doesn't have a "wow, that's a OnePlus Nord" design, but the ergonomics are just right and it looks and feels like phones that cost a lot more. Only when you pick up the Nord and a phone like the Galaxy S20 or OnePlus 8 do the differences become clear – mainly in terms of the additional weight and the feeling that a metal case is carved out of slate.

Screen and audio

Gorilla Glass 5 includes a 6.44-inch fluid AMOLED display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels and a screen with an aspect ratio of 20: 9 and HRD10 + support. This is an excellent screen for a phone at this price. It is a flat screen that appeals to as many people as it bothers, but is less likely to slip out of the hand. Some will find it better for games too.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Regarding Carfection's McLaren 600LT Spider test video on YouTube, the north screen has trouble viewing details in some of the darker areas, but has a nice color palette by default for the vivid screen. If you want to deal with the settings, you can activate the sRGB and Display P3 options, although the differences are minimal.

The sound is reproduced through a single speaker facing downwards. It's loud without being distorted, and although the bass is obviously missing, it's well tuned and never gets hard. There is no 3.5mm headphone jack, but like other OnePlus phones, the Nord supports both AptX and AptX HD. Assuming you have compatible headphones, you can hear high-definition audio via the Bluetooth connection from Nord.

Bluetooth music played via Spotify with a Bowers & Wilkins PX headphone offers a lot of volume and depth. The entire multimedia experience of the north is excellent considering the price.

camera

The main camera is a Sony IMX586 with 48 megapixels and an aperture of 1: 1.75 as well as optical and electronic image stabilization. Next to it are an ultra-wide camera with 8 megapixels, a depth sensor with 5 megapixels and a macro sensor with 2 megapixels. This is what you'll find in the OnePlus 8. On the front is a selfie camera with two lenses, which consists of a 32-megapixel main sensor and an 8-megapixel wide-angle sensor.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Although the camera is similar to the OnePlus 8, it's not that good. It often underexposes pictures and cannot use HDR as effectively, which leads to loss of detail in difficult lighting conditions when both the wide-angle and standard lenses are used. The macro lens is of poor quality and rarely focuses well, which makes it largely unusable. Nightscape doesn't do it much better and often leads to noise or creates a monotonous photo.

I had to edit almost all of the photos I took with the North before I pass them on because they just didn't "burst" as I wanted them to. Overcast sky became oppressive and unnatural, and photos on sunny days had no dynamic range. However, I like the new filters by photographer Hannes Becker.

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Selfies in portrait mode have a strong, rather unnatural bokeh effect with only average edge detection. This problem still occurs when using portrait mode on the rear camera.

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OnePlus has shown significant improvements with the OnePlus 8 Pro camera, but has taken a step back with the Nord camera. It's not terrible at all, but it's not as good as I expected. There are better cameras on other phones, even at this price.

Performance and software

The Snapdragon 765G processor from Qualcomm with 8 GB / 128 GB or 12 GB / 256 GB RAM and storage space is located in OnePlus Nord. I checked the 12 GB version. It also offers 5G support if you live in an area where the service is available. Here are some benchmark test results:

3DMark Sling Shot Extreme: 2,985 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 1,900 multi-core / 603 single core

It is the same chip as in the LG Velvet and Motorola Moto Edge. The North beats both in the game-oriented 3DMark test, but is largely similar in Geekbench 5. The performance is good. When switching between apps or from full-screen video to normal state, there is a slight hesitation, but not to the point where the phone feels slow. It is probably software related too and will be fixed in a future update. However, this makes me wonder if the 8GB / 128GB model might feel a little underwhelmed.

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While playing Real Racing 3, Sky Wings, and Dariusburst, no performance issues were found as you would expect from the game-oriented G version of the Snapdragon 765, and the phone didn't get hot even after long sessions. Onboard is the OnePlus Fnatic game mode, which minimizes distractions and optimizes the processor.

OnePlus & # 39; OxygenOS is one of the best Android versions available. It is fast, smooth and not filled with senseless functions or stylistic flourishes. It does the job it was made for and I have had no reliability issues.

I still like Zen mode, which gives you a 20-minute break by muting calls and notifications, and restricting app access. The Google News and Assistant popup window is helpful, there are some nice animated wallpapers, the gesture control works fine and it looks and feels silky smooth. OnePlus says it worked on the fluidity of OxygenOS and it shows.

Battery, connectivity and security

The 4,415mAh battery lasts approximately two days before needing to be charged, based on approximately three hours of daily screen time when primarily connected to Wi-Fi.

Behind the scenes of the north, an interesting technology works that helps protect the battery life by charging it intelligently and gradually over night. It will charge approximately 80% and then wait until you normally get up to add the final charge. This avoids problems keeping the battery fully charged for an extended period of time, which can reduce long-term capacity.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It comes with Warp Charge 30T, OnePlus' proprietary quick charger. It is wired only in the north and goes from zero to 70% in 30 minutes and then goes back to full in just over an hour. The phone is secured with a built-in fingerprint sensor that works very reliably. The speed was so high that I was happy to use it without having to resort to unlocking it.

I had some Wi-Fi problems with my OnePlus Nord. I noticed that the connection sometimes got stuck and did not switch to cellular. The problem was only solved by switching the WLAN on and off. The range also seems to be shorter than with many other cell phones. I have reported the problem to OnePlus and am sending bug reports when the problem occurs, which fortunately is rarely the case. Calls were fine. I don't have a 5G near me, so I couldn't test performance.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

A few days before the verification embargo expired, OnePlus provided the North with a software update to help resolve Wi-Fi connectivity issues and improve the camera. I will update this review if anything changes.

Price, guarantee and availability

The OnePlus Nord costs £ 379, which translates to around $ 480 when you buy the 8GB / 128GB model. The 12GB / 256GB version I've tested here costs £ 469 or about $ 593. The North is not officially available in the United States. It will be available in the OnePlus online store on August 4, in addition to the John Lewis retail stores, Amazon and the Three network.

OnePlus does not intend to sell the US North outside of a promised but very limited beta program, but says it will manufacture a US-focused phone at reasonable prices in the future.

Our opinion

OnePlus has increased the value of the North in an old-fashioned way, increased the life of the phone and focused on the essentials in everyday life instead of eye-catching gadgets. You get reliable software, a great screen, long battery life, fast charging, 5G and software updates for several years.

These are core features that cheap phones often shun in favor of sensational camera specs that can disappoint in the real world, and a fancy design. These aren't good reasons to buy a phone at this price, but the OnePlus Nord offers just the right value.

Is there a better alternative?

The space for smartphones under $ 500 or less than £ 500 is pretty full. The $ 400 Google Pixel 3a hasn't been replaced yet, but it's still a good buy if you find one, or you can buy the cute Apple iPhone SE 2020 for $ 400. It's cute because it's small, but the build and materials are superior to the Nords, and iOS is superbly designed and easy to use. It's also worth checking out the $ 500 Poco F2 Pro or the $ 400 Samsung Galaxy A51.

These phones are highly competitive, so it is difficult to generally recommend them to any buyer. The North is the best choice if you value performance and display quality and are not particularly interested in photography.

You pay a little more for the $ 600 LG Velvet and the $ 500 Moto Edge, but both are good phones with more attractive designs and better cameras. If you can expand the budget a bit, consider the OnePlus 8 for $ 700, which has a more classy design and better camera, or the iPhone 11 for $ 700 with its great software, camera, and performance .

How long it will take?

While the OnePlus 8 Pro has received an IP rating, you should not expect an IP rating in the north. The phone is not waterproof, but can be used in the rain. The body is made of glass and can break if you drop it. It is therefore best to use a suitcase. OnePlus offers a range of sleeves for the North, some with the signature sandpaper surface for extra grip.

OnePlus promises two years of Android updates and three years of security updates. This is an excellent engagement that increases the long-term prospects of the north, especially with 5G on board. Combine this with battery saving technology, and the North lasts for several years, and that's great for such a cheap phone.

Should you buy one?

Yes. The Nord is a budget phone that you can buy without worrying that it will need to be replaced next year.

Editor's recommendations