Latest news with #Nord5
Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
OnePlus Nord CE 5 review: Long battery life, clean design make it a reliable phone
There was a time when picking a mid-range smartphone was simple. You went with a phone that was affordable, reliable, and had just enough features to make it feel exciting to use. But that was several years ago. Now, even the mid-range segment has been split up into sub-categories such as premium mid-range, budget flagship, and 'lite' models. Weirdly, finding a smartphone that just works without over-complicating things has become harder. This is where the OnePlus Nord CE 5 comes in. Its launch earlier this month alongside the slightly more expensive Nord 5, didn't exactly make headlines due to the lack of over-the-top specs or flashy design. Instead, the Chinese smartphone maker has taken a more grounded approach with the Nord CE 5, focusing on what actually matters: battery life, performance, and long-term software support. Let's not forget about the AI features. While they are not particularly groundbreaking, the fact that they are becoming standard in mainstream models like these says a lot. That said, it does come with a few trade-offs which may leave you wanting for more. Here's my review of the OnePlus Nord CE 5 after a few weeks of usage to see how it holds up. With the Nord CE 5, OnePlus has gone with a design that screams function over form. It's a fairly long phone with gentle curves that provide a decent grip, but the large battery makes the overall design feel a bit clunky to hold in one hand. The phone weighs 199 grams and is 8.2 mm thick, making it a bit heavy, but the weight is still balanced enough to feel comfortable to use with both hands. While the Nord CE 5 is available in Black Affinity and Marble Mist, my review unit came in the Nexus Blue colourway which gives it a lively and playful vibe. Coming to the display, it has a 6.77-inch AMOLED with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,430 nits peak brightness. It also has support for HDR (High Dynamic Range), making the colours pop on screen. I watched the newly released trailer for Avatar: Fire and Ash on it, and the display had just enough visual flair to make the experience feel more cinematic than I thought it would. But there are some compromises as well. Outdoor screen visibility is not great, and the haptics feel soft and muted even by typical Android standards. The Nord CE 5 features Aqua Touch, which allows you to register swipes even with wet or oily fingers. This came in handy in the heavy rain lashing Delhi this week. However, I would still be cautious of oily hands as the back panel seems smudge-resistant but the phone cover that comes in the box, along with a USB-C cable and power adapter, picks up marks easily. The Nord CE 5 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex chip, a 4nm processor that has been optimised for power efficiency and thermal management. I received the 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage variant but if you are willing to spring, there's also the 12 GB RAM + 256 GB storage on offer. This is enough firepower to easily handle popular titles such as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) and Call of Duty: Mobile. But for those who prioritise mobile gaming, I did notice slight frame drops and warmth during extended sessions. The Nord CE 5 runs on Oxygen OS 15, which has been built atop Android 15. The UI feels smooth and polished overall, but it is not as snappy as I'd hoped. OnePlus is promising six years of software support, including major Android updates and security patches, which is rare to see in the mid-range segment. The mammoth 7100mAh battery is easily one of the strongest points of the Nord CE 5. I was able to comfortably play games, use the camera, enable 5G, switch on mobile hotspot, and scroll through my socials for two full days. Even when the battery level dipped, charging it from zero to full tank took only an hour or so, thanks to the 80W SuperVOOC. The Nord CE 5 also includes smart battery management features as well as battery health engine to reduce wear by limiting charging cycles during overnight charging. I liked the Nord CE 5's camera system. The 50MP main camera with Sony LYT-600 and Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) support is good enough to capture high-quality daylight shots with decent dynamic range, and balanced lighting and contrast. It also comes with an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The video recording capabilities are impressive too, with support for 4K maxing out at 60fps and OIS support for smooth, stable footage. OnePlus has also packed the Nord CE 5 with its own set of generative AI features such as AI VoiceScribe, AI Translation, and AI Call Assistant. But the Mind Space feature is the one that stood out to me the most. A three-finger swipe upwards captures a 'memory' of the screen, which gets saved in the Mind Space app along with an AI-generated summary. It served as a handy way for me to track the news in an efficient and organised manner. If you're looking for a reliable, everyday phone with long battery life, vibrant display, and steady performance, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 makes a strong case, especially at its starting price of Rs 24,999. But it is not the best pick for serious gamers or camera-first users. It also skips premium features such as the OnePlus alert slider and the Plus key that comes with the Nord 5 elder sibling. The singly bottom-firing speaker was underwhelming as the audio sounded tinny at maximum volume and lacked clarity.
GSM Arena
4 days ago
- GSM Arena
Weekly poll results: the OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord CE5 get a red card
Gone are the days when OnePlus was a budget brand – but these days even its budget product line is seen as too expensive. That or it's not competitive in the current mid-range market. Last week's poll painted a grim picture of Nord 5's and Nord CE5's future. The OnePlus Nord 5 fared pretty poorly, with a plurality of people voting against its hardware. The second largest group thought that it was too expensive. The two are related, of course, but it's not just about the value for money equation. The Nord 4 had a unique look with that aluminum unibody – the Nord 5 looks ordinary by comparison. The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset is pretty powerful, but you can get the newer 8s Gen 4 for less money than the Nord 5. And the 50+8MP camera was seen as nothing special. The IP65 rating and small battery on the international model were also commonly brought up as issues. The OnePlus Nord CE5 got the clearest message we've seen yet – 'No, I don't like the hardware' got over 80% of the vote. It's not even a question about it being too expensive (the price in India is too close to the Nord 5, for example), people in the comments just poked too many holes in the spec sheet. Some felt that the Dimensity 8350 Apex chipset didn't get enough cooling and throttling hurt its sustained performance. Others pointed to the lack of stereo speakers (the CE4 had them). Going from a 7,100mAh battery in the model for India to 5,200mAh for the global one is a major downgrade too. The microSD slot did earn the CE5 some points, though not enough. The Nord series is in a bad spot right now as it is facing strong competition in the mid-range market. A price cut can give the OnePlus Nord 5 a boost, but that might not be enough to save the Nord CE5. OnePlus Nord 5 5G OnePlus Nord CE5 5G
India Today
5 days ago
- India Today
Realme 15 Pro vs OnePlus Nord 5: Full comparison and every difference that you wanted to know
The Realme 15 Pro has officially arrived in India, entering the crowded mid-range smartphone space that already includes the recently launched OnePlus Nord 5. Both smartphones fall in the Rs 30,000 to Rs 40,000 price segment, and at first glance, they appear to offer similar features — large AMOLED displays, 5G processors, high-resolution cameras, and strong battery life. But the details make all the difference. While the Nord 5 has been available since early July, the Realme 15 Pro is the newest entrant. If you're wondering which is the better pick, here's a complete comparison of everything that sets them and buildRealme has clearly focused on design this time. The 15 Pro is sleeker, lighter, and features a curved display that gives it a more premium look. It comes in Flowing Silver, Velvet Green, and Silk Purple and weighs just 187 grams. The curved screen and slimmer 7.7mm profile help it feel more comfortable in the hand. In contrast, the OnePlus Nord 5 is heavier at 211 grams and thicker at 8.1mm. However, it still looks stylish, especially in the Marble Sands finish, which gives it a unique character. It is also available in Dry Ice and Phantom Grey Realme leans towards elegance, OnePlus has a bolder look. The Realme 15 Pro also has an IP69 rating for dust and water resistance, which is better than the Nord 5's IP65 Both phones have large AMOLED displays. The OnePlus Nord 5 features a 6.83-inch flat display, while the Realme 15 Pro has a slightly smaller 6.8-inch curved screen. The key differences lie in refresh rate and brightness. Realme edges ahead with a 144Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 6,500 nits, although that figure is likely recorded under specific conditions. The Nord 5 offers a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,800 nits peak brightness. While the Realme 15 Pro may feel more immersive, the flat screen on the Nord 5 is more practical for daily use and helps avoid accidental and softwareThis is where the OnePlus Nord 5 clearly pulls ahead. It runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which is more powerful than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 found in the Realme 15 Pro. The Nord 5 also uses faster LPDDR5X RAM, while Realme has LPDDR4X. On AnTuTu benchmarks, the Nord 5 scores around 1.5 million, while the Realme scores about 1 million. Based on this, the Nord 5 should deliver smoother phones come with Android 15 out of the box. The OnePlus Nord 5 runs on OxygenOS 15, while the Realme 15 Pro uses realme UI 6.0. OnePlus promises four years of major Android updates, compared to two years from Realme. In terms of features, Realme offers AI tools like AI Edit Genie and MagicGlow 2.0 for enhanced camera and user experience. OnePlus includes its own AI suite as well, with tools like Mind Space, an AI photo editor, and call phones come with large batteries. The Nord 5 is powered by a 6,800mAh battery, while the Realme 15 Pro has a slightly larger 7,000mAh battery. Both support 80W wired charging, so you get similar charging speeds. On paper, Realme might seem better with its larger battery, but actual battery life is likely to be quite similar in daily it comes to cameras, both phones have a 50-megapixel primary sensor on the back and a 50-megapixel front-facing camera. However, the Realme 15 Pro includes a higher-resolution 50-megapixel ultra-wide sensor, while the Nord 5 has an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera. We've already tested the Nord 5 and found its cameras decent for the price. That said, Realme's number series has a good track record when it comes to camera performance, especially in terms of colour and detail. With the added AI improvements in the 15 Pro, it could potentially offer better camera results — though full testing will reveal in IndiaThe OnePlus Nord 5 starts at Rs 31,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB variant. The 12GB + 256GB and 12GB + 512GB models are priced at Rs 34,999 and Rs 37,999, comparison, the Realme 15 Pro also starts at Rs 31,999, but that's for the 8GB + 128GB variant. The 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 512GB options are priced at Rs 33,999, Rs 35,999, and Rs 38,999, upIf performance, long-term software support, and value for money are most important to you, the OnePlus Nord 5 stands out with its faster processor, better RAM, longer software support, and more storage at the same starting if you prefer a phone that's lighter, has a curved and brighter display, and promising camera hardware, the Realme 15 Pro is a strong contender. Both phones offer solid features for the price — the right choice comes down to what matters most to you.- Ends
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Irish Examiner
OnePlus Nord 5 review: A feature-packed mid-range contender with flagship ambitions
The Nord 5 is the first OnePlus handset I've reviewed since the OnePlus 7T back in 2020. While it's not a flagship, it holds its own impressively well among the many contenders in the sub-€500 category. I've been using the Nord 5 for a couple of weeks, and while it's not without compromises, it offers enough to raise eyebrows, especially at its competitive price point. Design and build The Nord 5 isn't going to win any design awards, but it sticks to a tried-and-tested design language that's unlikely to wow or offend. It features rounded corners, a flat display, and chamfered edges, making it very comfortable to hold. While the side rails give the appearance of metal, the body is actually textured, soft-finish plastic. That might disappoint those expecting aluminium or glass, but the matte finish feels surprisingly good in the hand, lightweight yet solid, with a frosted texture that resists fingerprints. My review sample features a white marble finish on the back, which is quite striking and adds a touch of elegance. Previous OnePlus phones I've used had an iconic alert slider, which is now replaced with a Plus Key. It's fully customisable and can launch the camera, torch, or even trigger an AI assistant, similar to Apple's Action Button. The Nord 5 lacks an IP rating for full water submersion, a feature now included by some rivals. Display You get a generous 6.83-inch OLED screen with 144Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 7i protection. It's sharp, bright, and colours pop beautifully. HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support ensure top-notch video streaming. Over the past year, I've seen several mid-range phones introduced with 144Hz displays. While the difference isn't as noticeable as going from 60Hz to 120Hz, 144Hz does feel a little snappier and smoother. The peak brightness is excellent, reaching over 1,300 nits in auto mode, which makes it perfectly usable even under direct sunlight. Performance The Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset powers the Nord 5, along with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, delivering solid mid-to-upper-tier performance. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and games run well. I run benchmarking stress tests on all the phones I test, and the Nord 5 remained stable with only minor throttling. It won't beat flagship benchmarks, but it easily holds its own against similarly priced competitors. Battery life is decent thanks to the 5,200mAh cell, though it's not exactly groundbreaking by today's standards. I regularly got through a full day of medium use on a full charge. Charging tops out at 80W, and while the charger isn't included, a full charge takes less than 45 minutes with a compatible adaptor. Features OxygenOS 15, built on top of Android 15, is smooth and now features smart enhancements that improve usability. The AI-powered tools are surprisingly beneficial, from real-time call transcription in 20 languages, to summarising text onscreen or even reading it aloud. You can use the Plus key to access the Mind Space feature or swipe up from the bottom of the screen. This feature enables smart, context-aware screenshots. Essentially, it can analyse what's on your screen and generate summaries. Based on that information, it can suggest calendar invites, create reminders, or initiate searches related to the content. It's a fresh take on Google's screenshot features or Nothing's Essential Space. There's also excellent multitasking, including pop-up apps, split-screen, and a sidebar that stores your most frequently used apps for quick access. Cameras Camera performance is where the Nord 5 punches above its weight. The rear features a 50MP main sensor paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens, while the front also boasts a 50MP selfie camera with autofocus. Selfies are sharp, well-exposed, and with realistic skin tones. The main rear camera delivers vibrant, detailed images in daylight and performs well at night, thanks to effective processing. Even digitally zoomed 2x shots are quite usable. At 8MP, it's not surprising the ultrawide camera is decent, but not as sharp as the main camera, especially in low-light conditions. The video recording supports 4K at 60fps on both the front and rear cameras, and the footage appears crisp. The dynamic range is wide, although stabilisation in 4K could be a little tighter. Verdict The OnePlus Nord 5 offers an excellent blend of performance, camera quality, and intelligent features. While some corners have been cut to make the Nord 5 affordable, the experience still feels premium where it counts. €449 (8GB / 256GB), €449 (12GB / 512GB)
Mint
6 days ago
- Mint
OnePlus Nord 5: A solid mid-range phone held back by two missteps
I'd like to rephrase the famous phrase 'two steps forward, one step back" to 'many steps forward, two crucial steps back." That sums up OnePlus' latest mid-range beast, the Nord 5 ( ₹29,999). OnePlus has had a remarkable few years, launching powerful flagships like the OnePlus 12 and 13 series. Meanwhile, the Nord lineup has built a reputation for delivering solid value—often challenging even OnePlus' own cut-down flagships like the 13R. The Nord 2, 3 and 4 were all standout mid-range phones. With the Nord 4, OnePlus introduced a bold new all-metal design. With the Nord 5, however, they've reversed course—ditching the unique design and ceding some ground on specs to rivals like the Poco F7. These are the two crucial steps back that slightly mar an otherwise excellent device. Design: Safe, but still premium While the Nord 5 loses the all-metal construction of the Nord 4, its new glass-back design doesn't feel any less premium. It comes with a matte finish and in-glass pattern in the Marble Sands colourway. If you prefer a cleaner look, there are also Dry Ice (Blue) and Phantom Grey (Black) options. It's comfortable in the hand, but its 8.1mm thickness and 211g weight are noticeable—thanks to a massive 6,800mAh battery inside. Still, it fits well and feels like a performance-focused device. If you're coming from the OnePlus 13s, the size increase is apparent. But once again, OnePlus has ensured that 'battery anxiety" is a thing of the past. Unless you're heavily gaming, the Nord 5 easily lasts through the next day. A display made for bingeing The 6.83-inch flat 1.5K Swift AMOLED display (144Hz refresh rate, 1800 nits peak brightness) with slim bezels and Gorilla Glass 7i is perfect for content consumption. I watched Wimbledon, Tour de France, and several cricket matches, and the screen consistently delivered excellent colour reproduction and sharpness. Gaming benefits from the added real estate and 120fps support in titles like BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile. The stereo speakers (with a down-firing main driver) get decently loud with minimal distortion—great for casual YouTube viewing, though not immersive enough for movie nights. New to the Nord 5 is the Plus Key—OnePlus' answer to Apple's Action Button—which adds a layer of customisation. However, I do miss the classic alert slider. OnePlus also adds its AI Mind Space (note-taking, screenshot search, and more), which feels more like a filler feature than a must-have. Biometrics—under-display fingerprint and face unlock—work quickly and reliably. Camera performance The Nord 5 sports a dual-camera setup: a 50MP Sony LYT-700 primary sensor and a basic 8MP ultra-wide, alongside a 50MP Samsung JN5 selfie shooter. The primary sensor (same as on the OnePlus 13R) is excellent in daylight, offering vivid, detailed images with accurate skin tones. It competes well with devices like the Nothing Phone 3(a) Pro and the Motorola Edge 60 Pro. Unfortunately, the ultra-wide camera is a letdown. It lacks detail, especially in dynamic range, and doesn't complement the primary sensor well. Surprisingly, the 50MP selfie shooter is the real standout. With mechanical autofocus and a physically larger sensor than most in this price range, it shines even in low-light conditions. Nord 5 vs Nord CE 5 The Nord CE 5, in contrast, feels like a compromise. I've never understood OnePlus' CE lineup—it cuts too many corners for the savings it offers. Let's look at a few comparisons: u Display: The Nord 5 offers a 6.83-inch AMOLED (144Hz) vs. the Nord CE 5's 6.77-inch AMOLED (120Hz). u Chipset: The Nord 5 has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a flagship-grade chip. The CE 5 settles for the MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex—capable, but clearly inferior. u Storage: Nord 5 goes up to 512GB UFS 3.1; CE 5 caps at 256GB. u Camera: Nord 5's main and selfie cameras outperform the CE 5's 50MP LYT-600 and 16MP selfie shooter, which produced flat, unimpressive photos. u Battery: The CE 5 does pull ahead slightly with a 7,100mAh cell versus Nord 5's 6,800mAh—but both perform admirably in real-world use. Verdict The Nord 5 may have lost its iconic all-metal identity and trails behind some rivals on raw specs, but it still leads the pack in software experience, battery life, camera performance (barring ultra-wide), and display quality. Yes, the Poco F7 is catching up—especially for gaming—but the Nord 5 is still one of the easiest smartphones to recommend in the ₹30K price range. Just make sure to get the 12GB/512GB variant. Avoid the CE 5 unless your budget is truly inflexible and you're committed to staying within the OnePlus ecosystem.
