Oneplus is a brand synonymous with powerful flagships that push the boundaries of performance and design. But they’ve also carved a niche in the ever-competitive mid-range market with the Nord series. The latest iteration, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G, promises a feature-packed experience at a budget-friendly price. But can it live up to the OnePlus legacy, or is it a case of style over substance? Let’s dive deep and find out.
Design: A Modern Marvel (with a Minor Miss)
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 boasts a sleek and modern design constructed with a lightweight plastic back. While some might yearn for the premium feel of glass, the plastic keeps the phone surprisingly light at just 186 grams. It comes in two color options: Celadon Marble, which offers a subtle shimmer, and Dark Chrome, a more classic and sophisticated look.
The phone features a large 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a punch-hole cutout for the front camera. The bezels are minimal, resulting in a near bezel-less experience and an impressive 93.4% screen-to-body ratio according to OnePlus. The display itself is a highlight, offering a crisp FHD+ resolution (1080×2412 pixels), a smooth 120Hz refresh rate for silky-smooth visuals, and a peak brightness of 1100 nits for excellent outdoor visibility.
However, a minor gripe with the design is the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack, a feature many users still hold dear. OnePlus includes a USB Type-C port for wired audio, but those who prefer the convenience of wired headphones will need to use an adapter.
Performance: A Capable Contender
The Nord CE 4 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor, paired with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM. This combination delivers capable performance for everyday tasks like browsing the web, social media scrolling, and even light gaming. However, users who crave top-tier gaming prowess might find it lacking against some competitors with higher-end chipsets.
The phone runs OxygenOS 14 on top of Android 14, offering a clean and customizable user experience. OnePlus has a reputation for a near-stock Android experience with some added features, and the Nord CE 4 continues that tradition.
Camera System: Hits and Misses
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 sports a dual rear camera system consisting of a 50MP main sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. In good lighting conditions, the main camera captures detailed and vibrant photos. The OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) helps reduce shake and blur, resulting in sharper images. The ultra-wide sensor offers a broader perspective for capturing landscapes and group shots, but the lower resolution can lead to a noticeable drop in quality compared to the main sensor.
Low-light performance is decent, with the phone’s Night Mode helping to brighten up scenes without introducing excessive noise. However, some competitors in this price range offer more versatile camera systems with additional lenses like telephoto or macro options. The 16MP front camera is sufficient for video calls and selfies, but again, some users might miss features like autofocus.
Battery Life: A Marathon Runner
One of the strongest aspects of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 is its battery life. The phone packs a massive 5500mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of regular use and can even stretch into the second day with moderate usage. This is further enhanced by the phone’s efficient processor and software optimizations.
But the real showstopper is the 100W Super VOOC fast charging technology. OnePlus claims the phone can go from 0 to 100% in just 29 minutes, making it ideal for those who are always on the go and need a quick power boost.
Price and Availability:
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 is available in a single variant with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. The phone has been priced differently for various regions:
India: Rs. 24,998 (approximately $308 USD)
Europe: €299 (approximately $315 USD)
United States: Not available yet (expected price around $349 USD)
Verdict: A Well-Rounded Contender, But Not Without Flaws
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G is a solid mid-range contender with a lot to offer. It boasts a beautiful display, a capable processor for everyday tasks, excellent battery life with blazing-fast charging, and a decent camera system. However, the lack of a 3.5mm headphone jack and a slightly underwhelming camera system compared to some competitors might leave some users wanting more. The following list of pros and cons can help you decide better :
Pros:
- Stunning 120Hz AMOLED display with excellent brightness
- Offers enough power for daily tasks and light gaming
- Clean and bloatware-free OxygenOS 14
- Massive 5500mAh battery with exceptional 100W fast charging
- Lightweight and sleek design
Cons:
- Plastic back does not offer premium quality offered by glass
- Lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack
- Camera system is good, but not great, especially in low light
- No expandable storage options beyond the microSD card slot (limited to some regions)
- Not available in all markets yet (specifically the US)
Who Should Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G?
- Prioritize a smooth and vibrant display experience
- Value long battery life with super-fast charging
- Want a clean and bloatware-free Android experience
- Are looking for a capable phone for everyday tasks without breaking the bank
However, if you’re a power user who needs top-tier gaming performance or a camera system that excels in all lighting conditions, you might want to consider other options in this price range.
Technical Specifications
| Category | Specification |
| Key Specs | |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| Rear Camera | 50 MP + 8 MP |
| Front Camera | 16 MP |
| Battery | 5500 mAh |
| Display | 6.7 inches (17.02 cm) |
| General | |
| Launch Date | April 4, 2024 (Official) |
| Operating System | Android v14 |
| Custom UI | Oxygen OS |
| Performance | Very Good |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 |
| CPU | Octa core (2.63 GHz, Single core, Cortex A715 + 2.4 GHz, Tri core, Cortex A715 + 1.8 GHz, Quad core, Cortex A510) |
| Architecture | 64 bit |
| Fabrication | 4 nm |
| Graphics | Adreno 720 |
| RAM Type | LPDDR4X |
| Display | |
| Display Type | AMOLED |
| Screen Size | 6.7 inches (17.02 cm) |
| Resolution | 1080×2412 px (FHD+) |
| Aspect Ratio | 20.1:9 |
| Pixel Density | 394 ppi |
| Screen to Body Ratio (calculated) | 88.57 % |
| Bezel-less display | Yes with punch-hole display |
| Touch Screen | Yes, Capacitive Touchscreen, Multi-touch |
| Peak Brightness | 1100 nits |
| HDR 10 / HDR+ support | Yes, HDR 10+ |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz |
| Screen to Body Ratio (claimed by the brand) | 93.4 % |
| Design | |
| Height | 162.5 mm |
| Width | 75.3 mm |
| Thickness | 8.4 mm |
| Weight | 186 grams |
| Colours | Celadon Marble, Dark Chrome |
| Waterproof | Yes, Splash proof, IP54 |
| Ruggedness | Dust proof |
| Camera | |
| Main Camera | Dual, 50 MP f/1.8 (Wide Angle) + 8 MP f/2.2 (Ultra-Wide Angle) |
| Autofocus | Yes, Phase Detection autofocus, Continuous autofocus |
| OIS | Yes |
| Flash | Yes, Dual LED Flash |
| Image Resolution | 8150 x 6150 Pixels |
| Shooting Modes | Continuous Shooting, High Dynamic Range mode (HDR) |
| Camera Features | 20x Digital Zoom, Auto Flash, Face detection, Filters, Touch to focus |
| Video Recording | 3840×2160 @ 30 fps, 1920×1080 @ 60 fps, 1280×720 @ 240 fps |
| Video Recording Features | Dual Video Recording, Slo-motion, Ultra Steady Video, Bokeh portrait video |
| Front Camera | Single, 16 MP f/2.4 (Wide Angle) |
| Front Camera Features | Fixed Focus, Screen flash, Video Recording: 1920×1080 @ 30 fps, 1280×720 @ 30 fps |
| Battery | 5500 mAh, Li-Polymer, Non-removable, Quick Charging: Super VOOC, 100W: 100 % in 29 minutes |
| Storage | 128 GB, Expandable up to 1 TB, UFS 3.1, USB OTG: Yes |
| Network & Connectivity | Dual SIM, 5G Supported in India, 4G Supported in India, 3G, 2G, VoLTE: Yes, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.4, USB Type-C |
| SAR Value | Head: 1.158 W/kg, Body: 0.911 W/kg |
| Multimedia | Stereo Speakers, Loudspeaker, USB Type-C (No FM Radio, No 3.5mm Audio Jack) |
| Sensors | On-screen Fingerprint Sensor (Optical), Light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Q: Is the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G waterproof?
A: The Nord CE 4 has an IP54 rating, which means it’s splash-proof but not fully waterproof. Don’t submerge it underwater.
Q: Does the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G have expandable storage?
A: Yes, the phone has a microSD card slot that allows for storage expansion depending on the region.
Reference : http://www.trustedreviews.com
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