Thinking about a new budget smartphone? The OnePlus Nord 5 promises powerful performance and a stunning display, but it comes with some unexpected downgrades. Is this affordable Android phone a true contender, or does its past outshine its present? Dive into our full review to uncover the truth about OnePlus’s latest offering!

The latest entrant in the competitive affordable smartphone market, the OnePlus Nord 5, arrives with a promise of potent performance at a budget-friendly price point, yet its journey is not without a few notable steps backward from its acclaimed predecessor. This in-depth review unpacks the device’s strengths and weaknesses, offering a comprehensive look at whether this new Android phone truly delivers value or if its compromises dim its potential.

Upon first impression, the OnePlus Nord 5 captivates with its remarkably bright 6.8-inch display, boasting a fluid 144Hz refresh rate and an impressive peak brightness of 1,800 nits. Visuals are rendered with vibrant colors and sharp detail, and scrolling experiences are notably smooth without any perceptible lag. However, it is a curious design choice that the screen’s peak brightness is a downgrade from the Nord 4’s 2,100 nits, making outdoor visibility in direct sunlight somewhat less optimal.

A significant design shift is evident in the Nord 5’s build materials. Departing from the premium aluminum sides of the OnePlus Nord 4, the new model opts for a plastic construction. While functional, this change undeniably impacts the in-hand feel, losing some of the previous generation’s robust appeal. Furthermore, the inclusion of a customizable button, akin to Apple’s Action Button, provides limited utility, only responding to a long press and lacking options for more versatile short or double-tap functionalities.

Despite its affordable smartphone positioning, the OnePlus Nord 5 packs a respectable punch in terms of raw power. While it naturally doesn’t challenge the flagship devices on the market, the integrated Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip proves to be a highly capable processor. Extensive testing, including demanding mobile gaming titles like Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus, revealed no instances of slowdown or animation stutters, demonstrating its proficiency for daily tasks and entertainment.

When juxtaposed against other Android phones in its price segment, the Nord 5 frequently outperforms its rivals in both single-core and multicore benchmark tests. Its prowess truly shines in 3DMark’s Wildlife Extreme test, where its average FPS and score surprisingly surpass even some premium devices. This makes the OnePlus Nord 5 an excellent choice for users seeking a budget-friendly device capable of handling the vast majority of games available on the Play Store with ease.

Intriguingly, while the Nord 5 boasts significant power, OnePlus has configured its advanced AI tools to be entirely cloud-based. This decision seems counterintuitive given the phone’s strong on-device processing capabilities, potentially leading to slower execution for certain editing features compared to smartphones leveraging on-device AI. However, a major win for users is the inclusion of Google Gemini, providing access to one of the most sophisticated AI assistants available on a smartphone, alongside features like AI privacy and an intuitive AI search for device and internet queries.

The camera array on the OnePlus Nord 5 features a competent 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultrawide, and a 50MP selfie camera. While the 8MP ultrawide might seem modest, it’s often the least utilized lens, making it a pragmatic area for cost-saving. Comparisons reveal the main camera offers superior color depth than some competitors, while the ultrawide, despite being slightly darker, provides better definition, preventing over-exposure. The selfie camera also delivers a warmer color palette and improved background lighting, resulting in generally pleasing, if not class-leading, photographic results.

Battery endurance is a crucial aspect for any affordable smartphone, and the OnePlus Nord 5 comes equipped with a substantial 5,200 mAh battery, outperforming several contemporary devices in its class. While this capacity is slightly less than its predecessor, the phone still comfortably delivers all-day usage. Charging is expedited by 80W wired charging, capable of reaching 80% charge in approximately 30 minutes, though it’s a downgrade from the Nord 4’s 100W charging and lacks wireless charging capabilities.

Ultimately, the OnePlus Nord 5 presents a compelling package for those prioritizing raw power and a vibrant display within an affordable framework. However, the accumulation of minor downgrades in areas like screen brightness, build material, and charging speed, particularly when compared to its immediate predecessor, makes it a nuanced recommendation. For users outside the U.S. seeking a potent yet budget-conscious Android phone, the Nord 5 remains a strong contender, albeit one that requires weighing its advancements against its notable compromises.