OnePlus Nord CE 5 Review: Delivers exactly what it promises without being too flashy

The Hindu

3 days ago

OnePlus is penetrating deep into the mid-range segment, this time with OnePlus Nord CE 5. The more affordable sibling of the recently launched OnePlus Nord 5, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 hits a sweet spot with its pricing at ₹24,999 in this segment. The best part about the phone is that it doesn't overpromise or complicate things, instead delivers exactly what it should: long battery life, impressive camera results and smooth user experience. Let's find out if it makes a compelling purchase or not!
Design
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 doesn't try too hard to stand out and that's a good thing. It continues the brand's signature minimalist DNA with a clean, matte back that feels soft and sleek. The Nexus Blue variant I reviewed shimmered gently under light, and while the phone feels a tad large, the 199 grams weight keeps it well-balanced. The phone's rounded edges and smooth curves lend it comfort, even during long one-handed use.
The top-left aligned rear camera module is flush and subtly placed so it doesn't interfere while gaming or watching videos. On the front, the slim bezels create a near-full-screen experience that feels immersive, especially during content consumption. The punch-hole selfie camera is unobtrusive and cleanly integrated.
Buttons are tactile and well-placed along the right edge, and the hybrid SIM slot sits on the bottom left. There's a USB Type-C port at the bottom, along with a single bottom-firing speaker that gets the job done. One notable upgrade is the IP65 rating, giving it a reliable defense against occasional splashes or dust, a step up from many competitors in this range that skip water resistance altogether. It especially stands out during the monsoon.
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Display
The 6.77-inch FHD+ Super Fluid AMOLED display offers just the right balance of vibrancy and responsiveness. It supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, which keeps scrolling snappy and animations ultra-smooth. Watching HDR content is a joy, thanks to a peak brightness of 1,430 nits and support for Ultra HDR, sRGB, Display P3, and 10-bit colour depth.
Whether it's social media reels or full-length Netflix sessions, the screen doesn't falter. Even outdoors, readability holds up well, and the Aqua Touch feature lets you swipe effortlessly, even with wet fingers. In short, this panel punches above its weight and plays a big role in making the Nord CE 5 feel close to OnePlus' flagship.
OS & AI
Running on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the Nord CE 5 delivers a bloat-free, fast interface that stays fluid even during heavy use. What makes it stand out this time, however, is how well the system-level optimisations work with the MediaTek chip to offer smooth performance across multitasking, app switching, and background processes.
You also get OnePlus's Open Canvas feature, originally from its tablets on this phone, for multitasking. You can drag apps into split-screen mode without the usual struggle. Plus, AI-based enhancements from the toolbox, like AI Summary, AI Translation, and AI Writer, show that this phone is built to make everyday use smarter, not just faster.
Google Gemini is also integrated deeply into the system, enabling features like Circle to Search and real-time visual analysis.
Performance
Nord CE 5 comes powered with the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chip built on TSMC's 4nm process. Paired with 8 GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage, the performance here is solid. It opens apps quickly, handles everyday multitasking effortlessly, and delivers consistent results with everything from Chrome tabs to lightweight editing apps.
In benchmark terms, Geekbench scores come in at 1312 for single-core, 4073 for multi-core, and a GPU score of 7302, which puts it ahead of the Redmi Note 13 and on par with the iQOO Z9 in most scenarios. The Antutu score is an impressive 1,392,688, category-leading stuff.
Gaming-wise, BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly at 90–120 FPS, and the gameplay is generally stable. That said, the phone tends to heat up a bit during extended sessions. The CryoVelocity VC Cooling system does kick in to keep things under control, but not without occasional frame drops. For casual to moderate gamers, this phone is more than capable.
Camera
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 surprises with its rear camera performance. The 50 MP Sony LYT-600 main sensor supports OIS and delivers crisp, vibrant shots in daylight. Colours are natural, exposure is well-balanced, and detail retention is impressive for this segment. The RAW HDR algorithm and Real Tone exposure, borrowed from the OnePlus 13 series, bring flagship-level tuning to this mid-ranger.
An 8 MP ultrawide camera is present too, and while it doesn't dazzle, it gets the job done for landscapes or cramped group shots. It's a solid addition that doesn't distort much at the edges, a win in this price range.
Low-light performance, especially in Night Mode, is surprisingly good. The sensor captures more light than expected, and thanks to OIS, there's minimal blur. Noise is controlled well, though shadows can get a bit muddy if you're not using Night Mode.
Portrait mode deserves a mention too. Edge detection is accurate, background blur is creamy without being artificial, and skin tones remain pleasing. It often punches above its weight when it comes to depth separation.
On the front, the 16 MP Sony IMX480 sensor clicks selfies with good clarity. The dynamic range is wide enough, and filters are subtle. The Face Unlock works reliably, and there's support for 1080p video too, which vloggers will appreciate.
Battery
Battery life is one of Nord CE 5's strongest suits. It features a massive 7,100 mAh battery power, more than what was seen in the latest Realme 15 Pro. With such battery power the phone easily goes two full days on a single charge with mixed usage. It also supports 80W SUPERVOOC charging, which gets you over 60% in under 30 minutes. Features like Battery Health Magic and Bypass Charging make it even better, especially for long-term users and gamers. No heating during charging is another bonus, and you can game while bypassing battery wear entirely.
Verdict
Upfront, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is a very good option if you're looking for a decent mid-range phone that delivers exactly what it promises without being too flashy with its offerings. It's perfect for those who just want to get things done with their phones without investing too much.
With a brilliant display, reliable performance, strong camera output, and an unbeatable battery, the Nord CE 5 makes a strong case for itself. It nails the basics and then makes a compelling purchase option.