The OnePlus Nord 4 5G is one of the best smartphones around Rs 30,000 that I’ve used in a while. The device is beautifully crafted, performs exceptionally well, and comes equipped with a good set of cameras. It’s a well-rounded smartphone with some quirks, but they are easily pardonable. If you want to know why I like the Nord 4 5G so much, let’s dive deep into my week-long experience with the phone.
The Metal is Back
The use of metal in smartphones has evolved over the years. Initially, most smartphones featured plastic bodies, which later transitioned to all-aluminium designs for the sides and back. I believe aluminium is the most practical design ever created for smartphones. It offers greater durability than plastic or glass and provides a balanced mix of style and sturdiness. It looks more attractive and feels more premium than plastic. However, metal doesn’t offer the same range of color variations and gradients that manufacturers have been experimenting with on glass and “glasstic” phones in recent years. Metal also makes heat management harder. Thanks to OnePlus, metal has made a comeback, proving that it can deliver style and aesthetics without compromising performance.
While testing the OnePlus Nord 4 5G, I was particularly mindful of any heating issues. Given the all-metal body and the power it packs with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip and up to 16GB RAM, experiencing some heating issues wouldn’t be surprising. However, after using the smartphone for a week as my primary device with all my work and social media apps running on it all day, along with the Spotify app playing in the background throughout the day, and an occasional session on Hogwarts Mystery, I never experienced the device heating up. Even with the Delhi heat, the Nord 4 5G maintained its cool. OnePlus says it specifically designed a new internal structure to create a thermal conduction barrier between the phone’s components and your hand, ensuring the phone stays comfortable to use no matter what you’re doing.
Solid Performance
The general performance of the Nord 4 5G has been pretty smooth. I expected nothing less from the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip. Though the chipset is from last year, it’s a solid one. Paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS4.0 storage, it offers snappy, lag-free performance.
One interesting thing to note about the Nord 4 variants this time is that the write speeds you get actually depend on the model you choose. The 128GB variant uses UFS3.1, whereas the 256GB and 512GB models use UFS4.0. All three RAM variants are LPDDR5X.
In benchmark tests, the Nord 4 5G scored 1868 on single-core on Geekbench and 4348 on multi-core. It also achieved a score of 12915 on the Work 3.0 test on PC Mark.
The UI of the phone is cleaner than an average Android phone, thanks to OxygenOS. There are many customization options as well. However, the operating system isn’t completely free of bloatware. Some pre-installed apps include a folder of gaming apps titled “Must Play.” But the good thing is that these apps are all uninstallable. OnePlus offers “longest-ever support” with four years of software updates and two years of security updates, meaning you can use the device for 5-6 years without worrying about support ending.
Gorgeous Display
Using the Nord 4 5G as my primary smartphone while traveling for the OnePlus Summer Launch event in Milan, I relied on it for checking emails, watching films or shows, and scrolling social media. The Nord 4 display did not disappoint. It features a lovely AMOLED display with a lot of tech wizardry behind it. The flat 1.5K display uses the company’s ProXDR technology – the same display seen on the OnePlus 12 series. This technology analyzes images and videos and adjusts their brightness and clarity so that you see them at the best quality, regardless of the lighting around you. The screen displays rich colors and the darkest blacks, squeezing in 450 pixels per inch, and achieving a peak brightness of 2,150 nits when needed. However, in bright sunlight, the auto brightness struggles a bit.
The Camera Impresses
The OnePlus Nord 4 camera actually surprised me. While not perfect, the Nord 4 offers a decent set of cameras compared to other smartphones in its category. The portrait mode provided lovely shots with ample colors and details, and good background diffusion. In some lighting conditions, edge detection may miss some strands of hair or the edge of a shoulder. In low light, images can sometimes be slightly oversaturated.
I tested the 8-10x zoom and found the camera capable of capturing good detail. The shutter speed is impressive, allowing you to click the exact frame you want without worrying about holding your phone still for too long. The selfie camera also provides good details and colors, though edge detection can be an issue in low-light environments.
Should You Buy the OnePlus Nord 4?
Overall, the OnePlus Nord 4 5G is a well-rounded smartphone that excels in design, performance, and camera capabilities. It offers a premium feel with its metal body, smooth performance with the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chip, and a stunning AMOLED display. The camera provides good results, making it a great choice for social media enthusiasts. With four years of software updates and two years of security updates, the Nord 4 5G is a solid investment for anyone looking for a reliable and feature-packed smartphone in the Rs 30,000 range.