The OnePlus Nord 4 was one of the more unique-looking smartphones ever released. To date, it is the only 5G phone with a metal unibody construction. It also featured a distinctive glass window, reminiscent of early-generation Google Pixel devices.

The latest Nord 5, on the other hand, is the polar opposite. It adopts a more conventional design, with the cameras now aligned vertically, similar to older Nord models.

The frame is now plastic; however, the front and back are protected by glass. The rear panel of the “Marble Sands” variant looks stunning and adds significant character. In comparison, while the “Dry Ice” and “Phantom Grey” colors are good, they feel more ordinary.

This design change is a clear indication that OnePlus is targeting a wider, more mainstream audience with the Nord 5.

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The OnePlus Nord 4 was already a fast device, so it appears the brand decided not to upgrade much in this regard. The Nord 5 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC, which is essentially an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 found in the Nord 4.

The display, however, is now larger, brighter, and faster. The Nord 5 flaunts a 6.83-inch 1.5K (2800 x 1272 pixels) OLED screen with a peak brightness of 1400 nits (in auto-brightness mode) and a 144Hz refresh rate. The increased brightness under direct sunlight is a visible differentiator between the two phones.

There’s a catch, though. The handset’s panel operates at 120Hz for the most part. It can achieve 144Hz in only three games (BGMI, CoD: Mobile, and Free Fire Max) at the time of this review.

OnePlus advertises the device for gaming, highlighting its 7300mm² cooling system. While it performs well in games, there are better options in this price range, such as the Poco F7 and iQOO Neo 10. Both of these smartphones are significantly more powerful, equipped with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chip and UFS 4.1 storage.

So, if your priority is purely gaming, the other two phones may offer a better experience. That said, this doesn’t make the Nord 5 a bad choice, as it is still a very capable device.

The OnePlus Nord 5 comes with upgraded primary and selfie cameras. The main sensor is a 50MP Sony Lytia LYT-700, while the front-facing unit is a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 with autofocus. Both of these cameras produce noticeably better pictures and videos than those on the Nord 4.

Photos from the main camera are detailed and offer good dynamic range. It performs well even in low light, considering the phone’s price. Similarly, the autofocus-enabled selfie camera delivers pleasing results. Both of these cameras are also capable of recording video in 4K at 60fps.

Unfortunately, the 8MP ultrawide unit is less impressive. It is merely average in daylight and struggles in low-light conditions. Video recording on this sensor is also limited to 1080p at 30fps. On a positive note, its autofocus does allow it to capture macro shots.

A notable omission, however, is a dedicated telephoto camera, a feature found on competitors like the Motorola Edge 60 Pro.

The OnePlus Nord 5 is equipped with a 6,800mAh battery. However, its endurance is only marginally better than that of the Nord 4, which has a smaller 5,500mAh battery.

Surprisingly, OnePlus has reduced the charging speed from 100W to 80W on the latest model. This change, combined with the larger single-cell battery, means the Nord 5 takes about an hour to achieve a full charge. In contrast, the Nord 4 accomplishes this in under 30 minutes.

On a more positive note, the dual stereo speakers now distort less at higher volumes. The phone also retains the snappy under-display fingerprint sensor and the handy IR blaster. However, the vibration motor is a noticeable downgrade.

The software experience is excellent. OxygenOS 15 remains one of the best Android skins, which I would personally rank second only to Samsung’s One UI 7. The new AI features, however, deliver mixed results.

Finally, the newly introduced “Plus Key” is a constant annoyance as it is highly prone to accidental clicks. The brand should have retained the classic alert slider.

In my OnePlus Nord 4 review, I mentioned that the device made sense for most people in India. I cannot say the same with as much confidence for the OnePlus Nord 5, as the competition has caught up.

The switch to a mainstream design indicates that the brand is targeting a wider, more general audience. Furthermore, in press briefings, OnePlus clearly positioned the Nord 5 as an answer to Samsung’s Galaxy A56 rather than to devices from fellow Chinese brands.

In that context, the Nord 5 offers more value than the Galaxy A56, which is not only costlier but also falls behind in many aspects. Therefore, the handset remains a strong recommendation for consumers in Europe.

In India, however, the market is flooded with numerous compelling options, as we’ve discussed. The decision, therefore, boils down to personal preference.

The OnePlus Nord 5 is a good phone with noticeable upgrades over its predecessor. It is a well-rounded product catering to consumers who simply want a reliable, no-fuss smartphone in the sub-₹35,000 price range.

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