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.
Sleek design but feels bulky in-hand
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.
The Nord CE 5 features Aqua Touch. (Image: Karan Mahadik/The Indian Express)
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.
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The mammoth 7100mAh battery is easily one of the strongest points of the Nord CE 5. (Image: Karan Mahadik/The Indian Express)
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.
Strong battery life meets reliable performance
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.
You also get microSD support (up to 1TB) with the Nord CE 5. (Image: Karan Mahadik/The Indian Express)
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.
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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.
A still from the trailer of Avatar: Fire and Ash. (Image: Karan Mahadik/The Indian Express)
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.
Satisfactory camera with surprisingly useful AI features
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.
OnePlus Nord CE 5 camera sample (Image resized for web)
OnePlus Nord CE 5 camera sample (Image resized for web)
OnePlus Nord CE 5 camera sample (Image resized for web)
OnePlus Nord CE 5 camera sample (Image resized for web)
OnePlus Nord CE 5 camera sample (Image resized for web)
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.
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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.
So…should you buy it?
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 may not be the best pick for serious gamers and camera-first users. It also skips premium features such as the OnePlus alert slider, and the Plus key that comes with the Nord 5, its elder sibling. Furthermore, the single bottom-firing speaker is underwhelming as the audio sounds tinny at maximum volume and lacks clarity.