The midrange smartphone market has been heating up in recent years, with more and more brands offering powerful devices at affordable prices. One of the latest contenders in this segment is the OnePlus Nord 5, the successor to the highly popular OnePlus Nord. With notable upgrades in terms of performance and camera capabilities, the Nord 5 aims to solidify OnePlus’ position in the midrange market. However, with intense competition from other brands like Poco and Motorola, can the Nord 5 stand out and win over consumers? Let’s find out in our OnePlus Nord 5 review.
Design and Display:
The OnePlus Nord 5 follows the same design language as its predecessor, with a sleek and minimalistic design. It features a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and immersive viewing experience. The display also has a resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels, making it sharp and vibrant. The device has a glass back and a plastic frame, which may not feel as premium as some of its competitors, but it does make the phone lighter and easier to hold. Overall, the design and display of the Nord 5 are impressive and on par with other midrange devices.
Performance:
One of the major upgrades in the Nord 5 is its processor. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, which is a significant improvement from the Snapdragon 765G used in the Nord. This results in a faster and smoother performance, making the Nord 5 a great choice for gaming and multitasking. The device also comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM, depending on the variant, and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. This combination ensures that the Nord 5 can handle any task with ease and provides ample storage for all your apps and files.
Camera:
The camera has always been a strong point for OnePlus devices, and the Nord 5 is no exception. It features a quad-camera setup, with a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP monochrome lens. The primary sensor uses OnePlus’ signature Sony IMX766 sensor, which is also found in their flagship device, the OnePlus 9 Pro. This results in stunning and detailed photos, even in low light conditions. The ultra-wide lens also performs well, capturing a wider field of view without compromising on quality. The macro and monochrome lenses may not be as useful, but they do add some versatility to the camera setup. On the front, the Nord 5 has a 32MP selfie camera, which takes sharp and vibrant selfies.
Software and Battery:
The Nord 5 runs on OxygenOS 11.3, based on Android 11. OxygenOS is known for its clean and user-friendly interface, and the Nord 5 is no different. It also comes with some useful features like Zen Mode and Dark Mode, which enhance the overall user experience. The device is backed by a 4,500mAh battery, which can easily last a full day with moderate usage. It also supports Warp Charge 30T fast charging, which can charge the device from 0 to 70% in just 30 minutes.
Competition:
The midrange segment is highly competitive, and the Nord 5 faces tough competition from other brands like Poco and Motorola. The Poco F7, priced at around Rs. 30,000, offers similar specifications to the Nord 5, including a Snapdragon 870 chipset and a 48MP primary camera. However, the Nord 5 has a better display and a more premium design. The Motorola Edge 60 Pro, priced slightly higher at around Rs. 35,000, also offers similar specifications but has a larger battery and a better camera setup. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference and budget when choosing between these devices.
Verdict:
The OnePlus Nord 5 is a solid midrange device that offers notable upgrades from its predecessor. The powerful Snapdragon 870 chipset and impressive camera capabilities make it a strong contender in the midrange segment. However, it does face tough competition from other brands, particularly around the Rs. 30,000 price point. If you are a fan of OnePlus and looking for a reliable and high-performing device in the midrange segment, the Nord 5 is definitely worth considering.
