The OnePlus Nord launched in July 2020 as the company’s return to the mid-range market after years of focusing exclusively on flagship devices. This phone brought premium features like 5G connectivity, a 90Hz AMOLED display, and optical image stabilization to a price point that undercut traditional flagships by hundreds of dollars. OnePlus designed the Nord to prove that affordable smartphones didn’t need to compromise on the essentials that matter most to everyday users.
What makes the Nord stand out is its dual front camera setup—a rarity even among expensive phones. The 32MP main selfie camera pairs with an 8MP ultrawide lens for group shots and creative angles. The rear camera array includes a 48MP main sensor with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide, a macro lens, and an auxiliary depth sensor. Combined with the Snapdragon 765G processor and up to 12GB of RAM, the Nord delivers a balanced package that handles most tasks without breaking a sweat.
What Makes the OnePlus Nord Worth Buying?
The Nord’s value proposition centers on delivering flagship experiences at a mid-range price. The 90Hz Fluid AMOLED display makes scrolling through apps feel buttery smooth, rivaling phones that cost twice as much. Colors pop with vibrancy, blacks appear truly deep, and HDR10+ support enhances streaming content from services like Netflix and YouTube. The 6.44-inch screen provides ample real estate for multitasking, gaming, and media consumption without feeling unwieldy in hand.
5G connectivity gives this phone longevity as networks continue expanding globally. The Snapdragon 765G includes an integrated 5G modem that supports both sub-6GHz bands, making it compatible with most carrier networks worldwide. Download speeds on 5G can reach several times faster than LTE, and latency drops significantly for online gaming and video calls. This future-proofing means the Nord remains relevant as 5G becomes standard.
Camera performance punches above its weight class. The 48MP main camera with optical image stabilization captures sharp, detailed photos in good lighting conditions. OIS helps reduce blur in low-light situations and when shooting handheld video. The 8MP ultrawide lens switches perspectives for landscape shots and architecture, while the dual front cameras handle selfies and group photos with ease. Video recording reaches 4K at 30fps on both front and rear cameras.
OxygenOS maintains OnePlus’s reputation for clean, fast software. The interface stays close to stock Android while adding useful customization options and gestures. The phone launched with Android 10 and received updates through Android 12, providing two years of major OS upgrades. Performance remains snappy thanks to the combination of optimized software and capable hardware.
Build quality feels premium despite the plastic frame. The dual Gorilla Glass 5 protection on front and back gives the Nord a sleek look and solid feel. At 184 grams, the weight distribution balances comfort with a substantial feel that doesn’t seem cheap. The phone comes in unique color options that stand out from the usual black and silver offerings found elsewhere.
Things to Know Before Choosing the OnePlus Nord
Storage speed disappoints with UFS 2.1 instead of the faster UFS 3.0 found in true flagships. This affects how quickly apps install, how fast large files transfer, and overall system responsiveness during heavy multitasking. The difference isn’t dramatic in everyday use, but power users who constantly juggle large files will notice slower performance compared to phones with newer storage technology.
The Snapdragon 765G can’t match flagship processors in sustained performance. Gaming works well for most titles, but the most demanding games like Genshin Impact won’t run at maximum graphics settings smoothly. The Adreno 620 GPU handles casual and mid-tier games without issues, but frame rates drop during intensive scenes. Thermal management is decent, though the phone gets noticeably warm during extended gaming sessions.
Battery capacity at 4115mAh falls short of expectations for a mid-range device. Most users get through a full day with moderate use, but heavy usage drains the battery faster than larger-capacity alternatives. The 90Hz display refresh rate contributes to quicker battery drain compared to standard 60Hz screens. The 30W fast charging reaches 70% in 30 minutes, which helps compensate for the smaller battery, but wireless charging is absent.
Software support has ended, leaving the Nord stuck on Android 12. Security patches may continue sporadically, but the phone won’t receive Android 13 or newer versions. This limits access to the latest features, security improvements, and app compatibility as developers update their software. Users who prioritize having current software should consider this significant drawback when shopping in 2025.
The macro camera and auxiliary lens serve limited practical purposes. The 2MP macro sensor produces mediocre close-up shots that rarely match what the main camera can capture by cropping. The auxiliary depth sensor helps with portrait mode effects, but modern phones achieve similar results using computational photography without dedicated hardware. These cameras feel like spec sheet padding rather than genuinely useful tools.
Is the OnePlus Nord Right for You?
Students and young professionals benefit from the Nord’s balanced approach to features and pricing. The large display handles note-taking, reading textbooks, and watching lectures comfortably. 5G connectivity ensures fast downloads on campus networks that support it. The dual front cameras work great for video calls and virtual meetings, capturing clear images even in challenging lighting. Battery life gets through a full day of classes or work shifts without requiring a midday charge.
Social media enthusiasts will appreciate the dual selfie camera system. The 32MP main sensor captures detailed self-portraits, while the 8MP ultrawide lens fits more friends into group shots without awkward arm positioning. Both front cameras record 4K video, making vlog creation and TikTok content look professional. The rear cameras handle Instagram and Facebook posts well, particularly in good lighting conditions.
Casual mobile gamers find adequate performance for popular titles. Games like Call of Duty Mobile, Among Us, and Pokémon GO run smoothly at medium to high settings. The 90Hz display refresh rate makes gameplay feel more responsive than standard 60Hz screens. However, players who demand maximum graphics quality in cutting-edge titles should look at phones with flagship processors.
Budget-conscious buyers seeking 5G phones in the used market get exceptional value. The Nord’s price has dropped significantly since launch, making it an affordable entry point into 5G connectivity. The camera system remains competitive with current budget offerings, and the display quality surpasses many newer budget phones. Just keep in mind the outdated software and plan to use the phone as-is without expecting major updates.
Photography purists who shoot in challenging conditions will feel limited. While daylight photos turn out well, low-light performance can’t compete with phones that have larger sensors or advanced computational photography. Night mode helps somewhat, but results lack the detail and dynamic range of Google Pixels or flagship iPhones. The ultrawide camera shows noticeable quality degradation compared to the main sensor.
Best Alternatives to the OnePlus Nord
The Google Pixel 4a 5G offers superior camera performance and longer software support. Google’s computational photography produces stunning photos in all lighting conditions, and the company commits to three years of Android updates plus extended security patches. The clean Android experience appeals to users who prefer simplicity over customization. However, it costs more on the used market and lacks the 90Hz display.
Samsung Galaxy A52 5G provides water resistance and expandable storage that the Nord misses. The IP67 rating protects against accidental water damage, while the microSD card slot allows storage expansion up to 1TB. Samsung’s One UI offers more features than OxygenOS, though some find it busier. The battery lasts longer thanks to the larger 4500mAh capacity, and Samsung provides four years of security updates.
Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite delivers similar specs at competitive pricing. The Snapdragon 750G processor performs comparably to the 765G, and the 120Hz display refreshes even smoother than the Nord’s 90Hz screen. The 4820mAh battery provides better endurance, and 33W fast charging matches OnePlus’s speed. However, MIUI software divides users—some love the customization options while others find it cluttered compared to OxygenOS.
Motorola Edge 2021 stands out with a 144Hz display and ready-for desktop mode. The higher refresh rate creates an incredibly smooth experience, and the desktop mode lets users connect to a monitor for productivity tasks. The 5000mAh battery outlasts the Nord significantly, though charging speeds lag at 30W. Motorola’s near-stock Android appeals to purists, but the company’s update track record doesn’t match OnePlus.
OnePlus Nord Frequently Asked Questions
Does the OnePlus Nord have wireless charging?
No, the OnePlus Nord does not include wireless charging capabilities. It supports only 30W wired fast charging through the USB Type-C port. The fast charging technology can charge the 4115mAh battery to 70% in approximately 30 minutes, which partially offsets the lack of wireless charging convenience. Users who require wireless charging should consider the OnePlus 8 Pro or alternative mid-range phones with this feature.
Is the OnePlus Nord waterproof?
The OnePlus Nord lacks an official IP water resistance rating. While the phone may withstand minor splashes or light rain due to basic splash resistance in its construction, OnePlus did not certify it for water or dust protection. Users should avoid exposing the Nord to water intentionally, as any liquid damage would not be covered under warranty. Those requiring water resistance should consider phones with IP67 or IP68 certification.
Can I expand the storage on OnePlus Nord?
No, the OnePlus Nord does not feature a microSD card slot for expandable storage. The phone comes in three fixed configurations: 64GB with 6GB RAM, 128GB with 8GB RAM, or 256GB with 12GB RAM. Users must choose their storage capacity at purchase since expansion is impossible. The UFS 2.1 storage provides reasonable speeds, but those who need more space should opt for the higher capacity models or rely on cloud storage services.
What Android version does OnePlus Nord support now?
The OnePlus Nord currently runs Android 12 with OxygenOS 12, which is its final major Android update. The phone originally launched with Android 10 in 2020 and received two major OS upgrades as promised by OnePlus. Security patches may continue sporadically, but the device will not receive Android 13 or later versions. Users considering this phone in 2025 should be aware that the software is outdated and will not receive future feature updates.
How good is the OnePlus Nord camera compared to flagship phones?
The OnePlus Nord’s camera performs well in good lighting but falls short of flagship quality in challenging conditions. The 48MP main sensor with OIS captures sharp, detailed photos during the day and handles casual photography needs effectively. However, low-light performance and computational photography capabilities can’t match flagships like the iPhone or Google Pixel. The dual front cameras and versatile rear setup make it competitive within the mid-range category, but photography enthusiasts seeking the best image quality should invest in true flagship devices.