Is the OnePlus Nord 5 worthy in the mid-range category examined in this review?
The OnePlus Nord 5 has made a strong entrance into the mid-range smartphone market, offering a compelling combination of performance, display, and software that makes it a delight to use on a daily basis.
Design and Build
The OnePlus Nord 5 boasts a fresh design, moving away from the metal unibody of its predecessor, the Nord 4. The Nord 5 features traditional aluminum side rails sandwiched between two glass panels, with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the front. The rear camera module shifts to a vertical, pill-shaped capsule with larger sensors, and the back panel has a velvety textured glass finish for better grip. However, it uses a plastic frame, which is a downgrade from the Nord 4’s metal frame, making it slightly bulkier and heavier.
Performance and Processor
The OnePlus Nord 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, a diluted version of Qualcomm’s flagship hardware, announced in 2024. This upgrade from the Snapdragon 7 Plus Gen 3 used in the Nord 4 promises improved overall performance.
Camera
The Nord 5 sports an upgraded flagship-grade 50-megapixel main camera, housed in a more prominent vertical module. This enhancement over the Nord 4’s horizontally-aligned system is expected to improve photo capabilities. However, the ultra-wide camera on the Nord 5 shows a distinct color difference between the two lenses, resulting in mixed photos when using both.
Battery and Charging
The Nord 5 offers a larger 6,800mAh battery compared to the Nord 4, providing longer usage but resulting in a heavier phone. Charging speed is slower on the Nord 5 at 80W, compared to the Nord 4’s faster 100W charging.
Software and Extras
The OnePlus Nord 5 offers a slightly better software experience and software updates longevity over the Nord 4, with 6 years of software updates and 4 OS versions. The alert slider present on the Nord 4 is missing on the Nord 5, but a Plus Key offers programmable functions beyond just silencing the phone.
Pricing and Availability
The OnePlus Nord 5 is available in two configurations: 8/256GB for £399 and 12/512GB for £499. It comes in three colours: Phantom Grey, Dry Ice, and Marble Sands. Unfortunately, the OnePlus Nord 5 is not available in the USA.
Competition
In a crowded mid-range market, the OnePlus Nord 5 competes with the Samsung Galaxy A56, Google Pixel 9a, Poco F7 Pro, Moto Edge 60 Pro, and Honor 400. Each of these phones are struggling to differentiate themselves.
Improvements
The OnePlus Nord 5 offers a significant improvement in the front camera, with autofocus and 4K 60fps video capabilities. However, the battery capacity is slightly smaller than the Nord 4 and does not offer wireless charging.
In summary, the OnePlus Nord 5 emphasizes a new glass-heavy design, better camera hardware, bigger battery, and newer processor but trades off by losing the metal frame and alert slider, having slower charging, and being a bit heavier than the Nord 4. The price difference favours the Nord 4 for budget-conscious buyers, while the Nord 5 suits those wanting upgraded performance and camera features. The OnePlus Nord 5 is IP65 rated for water and dust resistance.
- The OnePlus Nord 5's impressive specifications, notably its flagship-grade 50-megapixel camera and powerful Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, make it a compelling choice among other gadgets in the mid-range market, such as smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy A56 and Google Pixel 9a.
- With its large 6,800mAh battery, the OnePlus Nord 5 stands out as a technology marvel, offering longer usage time compared to other smartphones, making it a suitable gadget for people who rely heavily on their devices throughout the day.
