OnePlus Nord CE 5: A Comprehensive Review
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 represents a significant evolution in OnePlus's mid-range smartphone lineup. Building upon its predecessors, it introduces notable enhancements in design, performance, and battery life, aiming to deliver a premium experience at a competitive price point.
Design and Build Quality
The Nord CE 5 showcases a refined design with a sleek aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass front and back. It is available in three colors: Black, Blue, and Silver. The device measures 163.4 x 74.3 x 8.7 mm and weighs 189 grams, offering a comfortable in-hand feel. The rear panel features a triple-camera setup arranged vertically, accompanied by an LED flash. The front houses a 6.72-inch Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing vibrant colors and smooth scrolling.
Display
The 6.72-inch Fluid AMOLED display boasts a resolution of 1240 x 2772 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 451 ppi. It supports HDR10+ and offers a peak brightness of 1450 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even under direct sunlight. The 120Hz refresh rate contributes to a fluid user experience, making interactions feel responsive and immersive.
Performance
Under the hood, the Nord CE 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, built on a 4nm process. This octa-core processor includes a Cortex-X2 core clocked at 3.19 GHz, three Cortex-A710 cores at 2.75 GHz, and four Cortex-A510 cores at 1.80 GHz. The Adreno 730 GPU handles graphics rendering efficiently. The device offers two RAM configurations: 8GB and 16GB, paired with 128GB and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage, respectively. The absence of a microSD card slot may be a limitation for users requiring additional storage.
Camera System
The Nord CE 5 features a triple-camera setup on the rear:
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50 MP main camera with an f/1.8 aperture and optical image stabilization (OIS)
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13 MP ultra-wide camera with a 120° field of view
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2 MP macro camera
The camera system supports 4K video recording at 30/60fps and 1080p video at 30/60/240fps, with gyro-EIS for stabilization. The 32 MP front-facing camera captures detailed selfies and supports 1080p video recording at 30fps.
Battery and Charging
Equipped with a 5000 mAh non-removable battery, the Nord CE 5 supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, capable of charging the device from 0 to 100% in approximately 30 minutes. This rapid charging capability ensures minimal downtime, making it convenient for users with busy lifestyles.
Software and Features
The device runs on Android 14, customized with OxygenOS, providing a clean and user-friendly interface. It includes features such as a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, NFC support, and stereo speakers. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack and FM radio support.
Connectivity
The Nord CE 5 offers comprehensive connectivity options, including 5G support, Bluetooth v5.3, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, and USB Type-C v2.0. It also supports multiple GPS systems, ensuring accurate location tracking.
Pricing and Availability
As of April 2025, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is expected to be priced around $540 in the United States, ₹44,500 in India, and €500 in Europe. Pricing may vary based on region and storage configuration.