In today’s smartphone market, striking a balance between performance, design, and value is tougher than ever. For buyers who want a flagship-like experience without burning a hole in their pocket, OnePlus has introduced the OnePlus Nord 5 – a smartphone priced around ₹30,000 that promises to deliver on comfort, speed, and usability.
Recently reviewed the OnePlus Nord 5, and his take reveals why this mid-range phone could easily outshine even some pricier flagships in day-to-day use.
Why OnePlus Nord 5 Stands Out
Kunal begins by admitting he’s been using the OnePlus 13, a full-fledged flagship phone priced at ₹65,000, as his daily device. But ever since he started using the Nord 5, he hasn’t looked back. It has become his daily driver – not because it’s cheap, but because it performs nearly as well.
1. Smooth Performance That Rivals Flagships
Using Instagram, YouTube Shorts, multitasking, or switching between intensive apps – the phone handles everything with ease. The experience feels flagship-level with lag-free animations and fast app loading.
Powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, the Nord 5 offers consistent performance that can run heavy games like BGMI at 90 FPS and Genshin Impact at smooth settings.
2. 144Hz AMOLED Display – Butter Smooth and Vibrant
The OnePlus Nord 5 sports a 6.74-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The screen is incredibly responsive and smooth. Scrolling through feeds or gaming delivers a flagship feel.
- Color reproduction is vivid.
- Brightness levels are high, making it easily usable in sunlight.
- While it’s not a curved screen, most users won’t miss it as the flat design ensures accidental touches are minimized.
3. Optical Fingerprint Scanner – Super Fast
While it lacks the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner found in premium phones like the OnePlus 13, the optical scanner in the Nord 5 is remarkably fast and accurate. It never failed once during his use.
4. Design & Build – Plastic Frame, Premium Feel
The back has a matte glass finish, resistant to fingerprints and smudges, and offers a premium, silky feel. The frame is plastic, but still feels sturdy and doesn’t rattle during use. It’s lightweight and doesn’t feel bulky, even with a large battery inside.
Software Experience
Out of the box, the Nord 5 ships with Oxygen OS 14, based on Android 14, with a confirmed update cycle: 4 years of security updates and 3 years of major Android updates.
We particularly praises Oxygen OS’s UI fluidity. Transitions, animations, and app switching are ultra-smooth with no stutter or jitter.
Additional Software Features:
- Custom “Plus Button”: A new physical key that can be mapped to various functions – like quickly opening the camera or toggling silent mode.
- Minimal Bloatware: Clean software experience typical of OnePlus.
- Quick Launches, Gestures, and Customizations are all available.
Battery Life and Thermal Management
Battery:
A huge 5500mAh battery offers excellent screen-on time.
- Light to moderate use: Lasts up to 2 days.
- Heavy use: Gives comfortably more than a day.
Charging:
You get 100W SUPERVOOC fast charging, with a charger included in the box. It charges the phone from 0 to 100% in around 30 minutes.
Thermals:
Thanks to a massive vapor chamber cooling system, Nord 5 performs well even under long gaming sessions or heavy multitasking. It doesn’t heat up significantly, and there’s no major throttling observed.
Audio Quality
Nord 5 is equipped with dual stereo speakers that are:
- Loud and clear.
- Ideal for content consumption like YouTube, Netflix, and gaming.
- Lacks slightly in low-end bass, but vocals and dialogue clarity are excellent.
There’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, but the Bluetooth audio quality is impressive – supporting high-quality codecs.
Camera Review: Hits and Misses
Kunal directly compares the camera of the OnePlus Nord 5 with the iQOO Neo 10, a top-performing camera phone in the same price segment.
50MP Sony LYT-600 Primary sensor
In daylight:
- Colors are vibrant and accurate.
- Dynamic range is decent.
- Good edge detection and focus speed.
In low light:
- Performs admirably, capturing enough details and maintaining sharpness.
- There is some noise, but it remains controlled.
Video recording:
- Supports 4K 60FPS.
- Stabilization is good but doesn’t entirely match iQOO Neo 10’s performance.
- Color grading and exposure control are handled well.
Verdict on Camera:
Not the absolute best in this segment, but well-balanced. The Nord 5 focuses on delivering consistency and color accuracy over aggressive processing.
Haptics and Build Experience
Haptics on the Nord 5 are surprisingly excellent for a mid-range phone.
- Typing and UI interactions give a pleasing tactile feedback.
- It’s the kind of polish usually found in higher-end phones.
Weight distribution is top-notch despite the large battery. Even during long calls or one-handed use, it never feels top-heavy or awkward.
Limitations
While Nord 5 performs like a champion, no phone is perfect. Here are some limitations:
| Feature | Limitation |
|---|---|
| Frame Material | Plastic, not aluminum |
| UFS Storage | UFS 3.1 instead of UFS 4.0 |
| Fingerprint | Optical, not ultrasonic |
| Camera | Slightly behind iQOO Neo 10 in raw low-light video |
| Speaker Bass | Could be deeper |
But none of these are deal-breakers given the price point.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy OnePlus Nord 5?
If you’re someone who:
- Wants a clean UI experience
- Appreciates flagship-like performance
- Loves smooth displays and animations
- Seeks long battery, fast charging, and great in-hand feel
…then the OnePlus Nord 5 is a steal at ₹30,000.
You’re paying half the price of a flagship but getting almost 85–90% of the experience in terms of everyday performance, design, and usability.
Yes, it cuts a few corners – but smartly in areas where most users won’t notice or care. For students, working professionals, and even content creators on a budget – Nord 5 might just be the best Android phone under ₹30,000 in 2024.