With its latest Nord 5, OnePlus is aiming squarely at users who prioritize raw performance and value. Priced in the competitive ₹30,000 segment, the new Nord gets several meaningful upgrades while cutting a few corners—most notably in design and materials.
We spent a week testing the OnePlus Nord 5 to find out whether it delivers where it matters most.
Design: Glass Finish Over Metal
Last year’s Nord 4 brought a sleek metal frame, but the Nord 5 switches back to a glass body with a plastic frame—an aesthetic upgrade for some, but a downgrade in durability. The phone weighs just over 200 grams and measures 8.1mm in thickness, offering a solid in-hand feel, though it’s not the lightest in the segment.
It features a clean vertical camera module, minimalist back design, and an IP65 rating for limited dust and water resistance. One notable change: the traditional alert slider is gone, replaced by a new “Plus Key” that can be customized to trigger features like silent mode, camera, or flashlight.
Display: A Visual Treat with Few Trade-offs
The Nord 5 offers an impressive 6.83-inch AMOLED display with support for 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, and 1 billion colors. Visual quality is excellent, with deep blacks, vivid colors, and smooth scrolling. However, real-world use limits the 144Hz refresh rate mostly to gaming, while regular apps run at 120Hz.
It’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which isn’t top-tier but should be adequate for daily use.
Performance: No-Nonsense Power
OnePlus has opted for the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a significant jump from last year’s 7+ Gen 3. While it’s not the absolute latest chip in the market, performance is strong across the board.
Gaming on the Nord 5 is smooth, supported by a vapor chamber cooling system and multiple gaming-focused features. Whether you’re a casual gamer or an enthusiast, the phone handles titles like Call of Duty: Mobile or Genshin Impact with ease.
Cameras: Solid, Not Spectacular
The 50MP main camera and 8MP ultra-wide lens deliver reasonably good results in daylight. Colors are well-balanced, and detail retention is decent. However, portrait mode can be inconsistent, and low-light shots tend to overexpose, picking up more light than necessary.
Selfies are handled by a front camera that’s just about average—good enough for social media, but not the best in its class.
Battery Life: Built to Last
The Indian variant of the Nord 5 comes with a 6,800mAh silicon carbon battery, paired with 80W fast charging. Real-world use easily gets you through a full day—and more—with moderate usage.
You can charge up to 80% in under 50 minutes, which is convenient. However, competitors like the Poco F7 and iQOO Neo 10 offer slightly bigger batteries and better screen-on time.
Software and Extras
Running OxygenOS, the Nord 5 delivers a clean experience with minimal bloatware. While there are some pre-installed apps, they’re far fewer than on most rival devices. The new Plus Key adds another layer of customization, compensating for the missing alert slider.
Final Verdict: A Strong Performer with Balanced Features
The OnePlus Nord 5 focuses heavily on performance and display quality, making it a solid option for users who want speed, gaming capabilities, and dependable battery life without breaking the bank. The trade-offs in design and camera performance are noticeable but manageable given the price.
For those seeking a reliable mid-range phone that can handle daily tasks and intensive usage with ease, the Nord 5 makes a compelling case.
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