OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G Review: Should You Buy?
The Indian smartphone market has recently seen an influx of mid-range devices, and OnePlus is no stranger to this trend. Their latest launch, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G, enters the arena with a price tag starting at Rs 24,999, which is the same as its predecessor and packs the latest Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 alongside all the new specs you could ask for in a mid-range smartphone.
In a segment that’s brimming with options, does the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G carve out its niche? Is it worth considering as your next smartphone upgrade? Here’s what we discovered after putting the device through its paces:
OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G Specifications
- Processor:
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset for high performance and power efficiency.
- Supports up to 5Gbps download speeds for enhanced gaming and productivity.
- Design:
- Available in Celadon Marble and Dark Chrome colorways.
- Durable bezel material; survived a 1.5m drop onto marble.
- Battery & Charging:
- Features 100W SuperVOOC charging and a 5500mAh battery.
- Charges to 100% in 30 minutes with Smart Charging 4.0 to prevent overheating.
- After 10mins of charging, enjoy hours of video watching, music listening, voice calling, social media browsing, and gaming.
- RAM & ROM:
- 8GB RAM with up to 8GB virtual RAM expansion for smooth app performance.
- Up to 256GB of storage, with support for microSD cards up to 1TB.
- Camera:
- SONY LYT-600 (IMX882) 50MP camera sensor with OIS for stable and clear pictures.
- Enhanced photography with flagship-level RAW HDR algorithm, especially in sunlight.
Design and Display: Aesthetic Meets Functionality
Sporting two color variants, Dark Chrome and Celadon Marble, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G immediately stands out with its design. The Celadon Marble variant, which we reviewed, features a glossy polycarbonate back that exudes a unique charm, thanks to its subtle marbled effect—a rarity in this price range.
Despite its sizable 6.7-inch display potentially being cumbersome for those with smaller hands, the device’s ergonomic design, accentuated by a 2.8D finish, ensures a comfortable grip. While the glossy finish does attract fingerprints, the lighter color palette cleverly masks them. A noteworthy feature is the device’s IP54 rating, offering resistance against dust and splashes— a reassuring attribute for everyday use.
The AMOLED display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, elevates the user experience with smooth navigation and vibrant visuals. The display’s peak brightness of 1100 nits guarantees clear visibility even under direct sunlight. Additionally, the innovative Aqua Touch feature, borrowed from the flagship OnePlus 12, enhances usability with wet fingers, further adding to the device’s appeal.
Camera Capabilities: Versatile but not Revolutionary
Equipped with a dual rear camera setup comprising a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G delivers commendable photography performance in well-lit conditions.
Though low-light photography may reveal some noise, the camera still manages to produce adequately lit shots. The 16MP front camera impresses with detailed selfies and proficient portrait mode execution, though it might not outshine the competition in this segment.
Here are some of the camera samples for your reference:
In the samples, as you can see, the new SONY LYT-600 sensor, accompanied by the Snapdragon ISP, gives some great shots with crisp details and sharpness. From capturing great shots in broad daylight to selfies, and even portraits, the image processing is quite good, with quite a bit of detailing. Overall, in terms of camera, as a mid-range device, the OnePlus Nord CE 4 gives some handsome results.
Performance and Battery Life: Reliable and Robust
At the heart of the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G lies the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with 8GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. While the non-expandable storage could be a limitation for some, the device excels in delivering seamless performance across daily tasks such as social media browsing, casual photography, streaming, and light gaming. In the Geekbench test, as you can see, the performance is quite good, not flagship level, but still half of that, as you can see even in the Wildlife test.
The OxygenOS, based on Android 14, contributes to a snappy user experience, despite the presence of some bloatware that requires manual removal. Battery life is one of the device’s strong suits, with the 5,500 mAh battery confidently lasting through a day of moderate to heavy use. The inclusion of 100W fast charging technology is a game-changer, enabling a dead battery to reach full charge in just 39 minutes.
Conclusion: A Worthy Contender with Minor Caveats
The OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G makes a compelling case for itself in the crowded mid-range market. It combines aesthetic design, a high-quality display, decent camera performance, and robust battery life into an attractive package.
While it may not redefine the segment, it certainly holds its ground as a solid option for those looking to upgrade without venturing into flagship territory. Whether it’s your next smartphone depends on your priorities, but the OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G is undoubtedly worthy of consideration. This 256GB variant, priced at ₹26,999, checks almost all the important factors you could ever ask for in a mid-range smartphone in 2024.
Buy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3TQwY6Y
