OnePlus Nord CE Review, Pros and Cons – Like last year, OnePlus has released its killer mid-range OnePlus Nord CE 5G smartphone. Although available to the global market is not confirmed, like the previous model, there is a small chance that this phone will be released on the global stage. But the most interesting factor about this OnePlus Nord series is its compact but premium phone.
In fact, you won’t have any problems in everyday use, while we hope that the photography and multitasking problems have been erased. So, with that said, let’s note the first impression and review of the OnePlus Nord CE 5G smartphone.
Table of Contents
OnePlus Nord CE Review
Highlights
- The Oneplus Nord CE smartphone comes with a 6.4 inches Fluid AMOLED screen which also brings the goodness of 90Hz.
- As for the inner section, performance comes through the Snapdragon 750 chipset.
- While for the graphic and visual aspect it comes under the hood of the Adreno 619, while the software is based on OxygenOS 11.
- The company introduced a 64MP triple camera setup on the main camera island and a 16MP selfie camera on the front.
- You will receive a 30W fast charger that quickly supplies power to Li-Po 4500 mAh battery.
Design and Display
The OnePlus Nord series phones never worry about complex designs and shade choices, the latest Nord CE 5G version also follows the same legacy and offers a sleek, clean look. Significantly, moving the camera island to the left corner makes the phone even more charming. Yet as an unbiased opinion, the curved layout undoubtedly steals the show.
You can choose this device in three fantastic colors options Blue Void, Charcoal Ink, and Silver Ray. However, the availability of the color option will depend on the market. If you prefer IP rating as a crucial point when considering a purchase, this phone will deeply disappoint you. Take a look at the detailed review of the OnePlus Nord N100 smartphone.
Also, the debatable plastic form factor can be said to be cheap, but in the end, it’s about looks, where the OnePlus never fails to entertain. Rest assured you will have a smart-looking phone. Now moving forward, the Fluid AMOLED panel on the 6.4 inches screen offers subtle color and resolution combinations. As for the safety factor, fingerprint reader and face ID options are available on the display.
But the natural charm is in the refresh rate section as you’ll reach 90Hz support and at the same time, the sustain experience would be excellent due to the 20:9 aspect ratio. Unfortunately, the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is without many important features like a higher refresh rate, HDR, gorilla glass protection, and more. However, AMOLED display technology will bring an impressive viewing experience for sure.
Memory and Internal
The most expensive part of the OnePlus Nord CE 5G is its processor and chipset. Yes, the 8nm Snapdragon 750 5G chipset costs about a quarter of the original production cost. It could be argued that the company needs to spend money on the screen as well as RAM and ROM. Thus, you will have a tremendously good daily usage experience, without any lag or delay.
Processing and performance will be ample in every interaction with multitasking and gameplay. On the other hand, you’ll also notice the blessing of OxygenOS 11 UI with the latest version of Android 11 OS. Fortunately, OnePlus follows a clean interface policy so you don’t see bloatware. The OnePlus Nord CE 5g smartphone is also known as the OnePlus Nord Core Edition, where CE stands for Core Edition.
To bring you top-notch performance, you need enough storage and RAM support at the same time. Thus, the Nord CE 5G renders space from 128GB to 256GB with 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB RAM options. You’ll also find UFS 2.1 memory support to extend data read speed on the same boat. However, there is no space for a secondary storage slot as both slots are assigned 5G SIMs.
mmWaves improve data transmission and provide hassle-free Internet browsing. Also, you can download media, games, movies, etc. Opposite to that, processing may not be at the level of high-end phones, but the 2.2 GHz clock speed isn’t unpleasant either. Also, neither for games nor for everyday use is terrible. As for actual performance, handle precisely the rest of the 1.8GHz cores.
Camera
There is no doubt that the OnePlus team has cut corners to keep the price to a minimum, and its effect is clearly visible in the camera section. You’re getting 64MP as the main camera that maintains dynamic range photography, while the second 8MP ultrawide and 2MP depth lens unit is as good as you’d expect from a mid-range.
There is no particular trait that makes the OnePlus Nord CE stand out in image processing, although nothing is alarming about it either. It seems that it has become a rule of thumb for all mid-level devices to make phones convenient and affordable. However, AI software is a blessing in disguise as you can capture the moment in your life without worrying about distortion or smoothness.
Every photo in the native camera app is fabulous, especially the low-light photo that makes a great impression. As for the color saturation and contrast aspect, both are capable of rendering amazing results. But sometimes, photo quality is hit or miss. Monochrome effects and portraits are up to the mark.
Plus you’ll also have a 16 MP selfie camera. The OnePlus Nord CE 5G smartphone got its 4K recording with gyro-EIS. But, the slow-motion effect is improved and the zoom capability is comparatively stable. In addition, image stabilization gives more room to improve video recording quality.
Battery and Others
As far as battery life is concerned, you’re getting a Li-Po 4500 mAh battery, it follows in between the equilibrium line. Hopefully, the company will make a good part of the production cost by bringing in a 30W fast-charging block support that ensures the phone is powered in less than an hour. Also, you can get 7 hours of screen time, so use it wisely according to your daily need.
On the other hand, the OnePlus Nord CE phone isn’t just about features and specs, it’s about adding value to users. So, to treat interested buyers of OnePlus, the company launched the Nord CE 5g at an aggressive price of just $437 (Rs 32,000) approx.
OnePlus Nord CE Specifications Detail
Down below you can see the full specifications of the OnePlus Nord CE smartphone.
| Specifications | OnePlus Nord CE |
| Network | 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G |
| Announced | June 2021 |
| SIM | Dual SIM |
| Dimensions | 6.27 x 2.89 x 0.31 inches |
| Weight | 170 g |
| Size | 6.43 inches |
| Display | Fluid AMOLED 90Hz 20:9 ratio ~410 ppi density |
| Protection | No |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 pixels |
| OS | Android 11, OxygenOS 11 |
| Chipset | 8nm – Qualcomm SM7225 Snapdragon 750G 5G |
| CPU | Octa-core 2×2.2 GHz Kryo 570 6×1.8 GHz Kryo 570 |
| GPU | Adreno 619 |
| Card slot | No |
| RAM | 6GB, 8GB, 12GB |
| Internal | 128GB, 256GB UFS 2.1 |
| Camera | 64 MP (wide), PDAF 8 MP (119Ëš ultrawide) 2 MP (depth) LED flash, HDR, panorama, gyro-EIS Max – 4K@30fps |
| Selfie | 16 MP HDR Max – 1080p@30/60fps |
| Loudspeaker | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot |
| Bluetooth | 5.1, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| GPS | Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, NavIC |
| NFC | Yes |
| Infrared port | No |
| Radio | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0, USB On-The-Go |
| Sensors | under display fingerprint, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Li-Po 4500 mAh Fast charging 30W |
| Colors | Blue Void, Charkoal Ink, Silver Ray |
| Expected Price | $527 (Rs 38,999) approx. |
OnePlus Nord CE Pros and Cons
Down below you can see the list of pros and cons (advantages and disadvantages) of the Oneplus Nord CE smartphone.
Pros
- NFC and 5G enables.
- Under display fingerprint.
- 90Hz refresh rate smoothness.
- Elgant fluid AMOLED display.
- Long battery life.
- 30W fast charging support.
- Latest Android 11 OS.
- Get an awesome gaming experience.
- No problem with multitasking.
- Record 4K videos with video stabilization.
Cons
- Little overpriced phone.
- HDR sharpness is missing.
- No wireless charging support.
- Use outdated Type C 2.0 port.
- No secondary storage option.
- Without gorilla glass or IP certification.
- Simple design.
Conclusion
You may like the OnePlus Nord CE 5G smartphone for your class or you may not like it due to lack of features. It’s all up to you, but as the Nord CE 5G is designed especially for the mid-range market, it can be considered a value-added option. Performance factors will provide subtle support in each section, whether it’s about gaming sessions or streaming media. Battery life accurately manages screen quality.
You can’t expect a high-profile photo on the other side, but the features you’re getting aren’t too bad either. You can still take decent pictures in daylight. In short, the money you are investing in this phone will not be disappointed as it is a future-proof 5G phone. But if you are with a limited budget and looking for an alternative, take a look at the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro smartphone.
