The OnePlus Nord CE is one of my favorite smartphone lineups. Having reviewed the last two generations, I was excited to experience the 2025 iteration, the OnePlus Nord CE 5.
After using the phone for an extensive period, I’m ready to share my thoughts. It’s clear that the latest model in the series retains its core principles but also differs from its predecessors in some key aspects.
For those who may not know, the “CE” in the name stands for “Core Edition.” This product line is marketed as a more affordable version of the mainline Nord phone, aiming to deliver the core experience in spirit.
The Nord CE 5 costs around ₹25,000, which is one of the hottest price segments in India. So, how is it overall? Let’s find out.
Disclosure: This review was made possible by a OnePlus Nord CE 5 unit provided by OnePlus India. However, the brand had no editorial input or early access to this article, and the opinions expressed here are solely my own.
1. Design: A Return to Simplicity
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 has a minimalistic design like its more expensive sibling OnePlus Nord 5. Both phones are nearly identical, with only major differences being the camera island and the absence of the ‘Plus’ key on the CE.
In fact, the Nord CE 5 is the simplest-looking smartphone in the lineup since the original model, which was released back in 2021. This plain yet practical design caters to a wider audience.
I have the handset in the Nexus Blue color variant. This hue is stunning and I would recommend it over Black Infinity and Marble Mist if you like to stand out.
Despite the change in design compared to previous generations, the CE 5’s body is still plastic. But the material used is as strong as usual and feels comfortable to hold.
2. Performance: A Huge Leap Forward
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is the most powerful device in the series to date. It is even faster than many other handsets in its price segment.
The smartphone is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 chip, paired with LPDDR5x RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. This chipset is as powerful as flagship silicon from a few generations ago.
These powerful internals make the phone more future-proof than its predecessors. There are none of the occasional stuttery animations seen on previous models. The gaming experience is also significantly improved, with performance approaching that of last year’s mainline OnePlus Nord 4.
Furthermore, the product should age well, as it is eligible for four generations of Android updates and six years of security patches. At launch, it ships with OxygenOS 15, based on Android 15.
3. Display, Cameras, and a Marathon Battery
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 is built around a 6.77-inch centered punch-hole OLED display. This panel is different from previous generations, despite having a similar size, resolution (FHD+: 2392 x 1080 pixels), and refresh rate (120Hz).
The newer screen is rated to reach 1300 nits of peak brightness in auto-brightness mode. Under direct sunlight, it is noticeably brighter than the displays on earlier models.
Furthermore, the CE 5 is equipped with the same 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary camera as the CE 4. The ultrawide unit remains 8MP; however, the sensor is now an OmniVision OV08D10 instead of the Sony IMX355. The selfie camera remains a 16MP unit.
The output from these cameras is slightly better than that of the earlier models, despite the hardware being largely the same. This improvement is attributed to the better ISP (Image Signal Processor) in the newer chip and improved software optimization.
The CE 5 also supports video recording up to 4K 60fps from the main camera and 1080p 60fps from the selfie camera. For comparison, its predecessor was limited to 30fps for both.
The optical in-display fingerprint sensor is as snappy as ever. There’s also a useful IR blaster placed between the rear camera modules to control various devices.
Lastly, there’s a massive 7,100mAh battery inside. Despite this battery not being the latest silicon-carbide variety, the product still weighs only around 199g and measures about 8.2mm in thickness. The large battery delivers up to two days of endurance with light usage and can easily last more than a day even with moderate to heavy use.
4. The Compromises: What’s Missing?
The previous Nord CE phones I reviewed were not perfect, but they excelled at the basics. They were neither bad nor exceptional in any single area; rather, they were well-balanced in all aspects.
Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the OnePlus Nord CE 5. It has significant shortcomings in key areas where its predecessors did not. To accommodate the large battery, OnePlus has sacrificed the dual stereo speaker system and the premium x-axis linear vibration motor. These two omissions significantly hamper the overall user experience.
The bottom-firing mono speaker gets loud, but its audio quality is average at best. The media experience feels incomplete due to the lack of stereo separation, effectively forcing users to rely on earphones.
Similarly, the haptics on earlier Nord CE models were among the best in the segment. The experience on the CE 5 is the complete opposite, much like on the more expensive Nord 5. It’s easy to miss calls when the phone is in vibrate mode, and UI interactions feel lifeless due to the bland haptic feedback.
The 80W charging speed sounds fast on paper, but it isn’t in practice. Since the handset features a single-cell lithium-ion battery, it still takes over an hour to charge fully.
Finally, the India variant of the device continues to lack NFC, just like the CE 4. For context, the first three models in the series included NFC in all regions.
5. Verdict: Who Is This Phone For?
In my review of the OnePlus Nord CE 3, I called it the “mid-ranger for the masses,” and its successor, the Nord CE 4, followed closely in those footsteps. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for the OnePlus Nord CE 5.
In its pursuit of a larger battery, the brand has sacrificed crucial aspects that define the daily user experience, such as stereo speakers and quality haptics. While the phone is still a great value for its price, these new shortcomings, ones not present in previous models, negatively impact the overall package.
This decision to prioritize battery life at the expense of core features was likely a calculated one, possibly driven by market research. However, for a lineup once praised for its balance, these compromises feel like a step in the wrong direction.
Ultimately, if you can overlook these specific drawbacks and value battery longevity above all else, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 could still be the right choice for you.
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OnePlus Nord CE5 | Massive 7100mAh Battery | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex | Powered by OnePlus AI |… | Check Price on Amazon |
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