OnePlus has stirred the midrange mobile phone segment yet again with its new introductions – Nord 5 and Nord CE5. Given their attractive pricing, the two devices have generated a lot of interest among consumers. However, I feel it is the good user experience without the premium price tag of flagship models that makes them a compelling option for those seeking value for their money.
Starting at 30k, the Nord 5 looks and feels sturdy and well-crafted. It has an attractive design in a unibody construction that is both sleek and robust. The handset provides a secure grip when held vertically, and, when held horizontally, it is apt for gaming and binge-watching. The front glass features Corning Gorilla Glass 7 that is good enough for daily scratches and accidental falls. An IP65 rating means the phone is protected against dust ingress and rain water. Similar rating is there on the Nord CE5 for dust and water resistance. This too has a slim design and smooth curves.
OnePlus has brought the Snapdragon 8 series chipsets to the Nord lineup for the first time. The Nord 5 is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 that delivers strong AI capabilities, enhanced gaming features, and improved connectivity. It is also equipped with Cryo-Velocity VC Cooling system that ensures a smooth performance even under heavy load. Combined with its 6.83-inch 144Hz AMOLED display, users can enjoy smooth and high-refresh-rate gaming without any glitch.
The Nord CE5 has a MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chipset that enhances gaming through a combination of powerful hardware and intelligent software optimisations. Like the Nord 5, this handset too delivers smooth and responsive multitasking performance. The Nord 5 has a 6,800mAh battery, but the Nord CE5 takes it a step further with a more powerful 7,100mAh cell. One can browse endlessly, game or watch movies on Netflix and still have juice left for the next day.
Where the Nord 5 pulls ahead is in its dedicated Plus Key that lets you switch between ring, vibrate, and silent modes. You can also set it to launch AI Plus Mind, which saves your content so that you can access them later. Both phones feature OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, bundled with smart features like AI Writer, Unblur, Eraser, Gemini etc. They also bring the AI Call Assistant feature which provides real-time summarisation and instant translation across multiple languages. Additionally, the AI VoiceScribe extends transcription and translation capabilities to apps like WhatsApp and Zoom, ensuring seamless communication during calls, video chats, and meetings.
Imaging is another area where the Nord 5 powers ahead. It has a 50MP LYT-700 main camera sensor that is adept at capturing detailed and vibrant colours in every shot. On the front is a 50MP snapper that delivers good selfies. Both the front and rear cameras support 4K video recording. The Nord CE5 has decent camera performance too, delivering detailed and balanced photos.
Key takeaways: Both the phones have an attractive design, big screen with fast refresh rate, rich user experience and powerful batteries with fast charging capabilities. Frankly speaking, OnePlus’ latest Nord offerings have put others in a corner with their strong features and value.
SPECIFICATIONS
Nord 5
Display:
n 6.83-inch 144 Hz
AMOLED display
Processor:
n Snapdragon 8s
Gen 3 Mobile Platform
Operating system:
n OxygenOS 15 based
on Android 15
Cameras:
n 50MP+16MP (rear),
50MP front camera
Battery:
n 6800mAh, 80W Super
VOCC fast charging
Estimated street price:
n Rs 29,999 (8+256GB),
Rs 32,999 (12+256GB),
Rs 35,999 (12+512GB)
Nord CE5
n 6.77-inch 120Hz
AMOLED display
n MediaTek Dimensity
8350 Apex
OxygenOS 15 based
on Android 15
n 50MP+8MP (rear),
16MP front camera
n 7100mAh, 80W Super
VOCC fast charging
n Rs 22,999 (8+128GB),
Rs 24,999 (8+256GB),
Rs 26,999 (12+256GB)
