Highlights

• OnePlus Nord 5 launched in India at the starting price of ₹31,999.
• Memory variants – 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB, 12GB + 512GB.
• Available in three colour variants – Marble Sands, Dry Ice and Phantom Grey, via OnePlus.in, Amazon and retail stores.

OnePlus has recently released its latest mid-range smartphone, the OnePlus Nord 5, in India. It looks quite different from the predecessor and comes with some good internal upgrades. We have been using the phone for almost a week now and to help you get a clearer picture of its performance, here’s out hands-on OnePlus Nord 5 review.

OnePlus Nord 5 – Key Features

• 83-inch AMOLED 144Hz 1.5K FHD+ Display with Ultra HDR support
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform
• 8/12GB LPDDR5X RAM
• 256/512GB UFS 3.1 Storage
• Dual rear camera – 50MP Sony LYT-700 CMOS + 8MP OV08D10 Ultrawide
• Front camera – 50MP SAMSUNG ISOCELL JN5
• 6,800 mAh Battery with 80W SUPERVOOC Charging (adapter in the box)
• IP65 Rated
• OxygenOS 15.0 based on Android 15

OnePlus Nord 5 – Pros and Cons

OnePlus Nord 5 – Unboxing

In-the-box contents –

• OnePlus Nord 5 device
• 80W SUPERVOOC Power Adapter
• Type-A to C Cable
• Quick Start Guide
• Protective Case
• Screen Protector (pre-applied)
• SIM Tray Ejector

OnePlus Nord 5 – Design and Build Quality

We have to talk about the design first. Now, something has made OnePlus change its mind because this is a complete 180 from the predecessor’s design.

Nord 5 has a clean, minimal look that gives off a premium vibe. The Dry Ice colour variant we received for this review comes in this cool icy blue shade. It gives the phone a soft and polished look that’s easy on the eyes.

The back has a glass finish that not only looks sleek but also feels smooth to touch. It doesn’t attract fingerprints or smudges easily. So even after using it without a case for a couple of days, it stayed looking clean and fresh.

It comes in a polycarbonate frame and not the metal frame we saw in Nord 4. However, the phone doesn’t feel flimsy and has solid feel in its build. It comes with an IP65 rating, which means it’s protected against dust and water splashes. In fact, the build feels solid and sturdy in hand.

Nord 5 is defying the current industry trends. In a market that’s leaning towards compact smartphones, the OnePlus Nord 5 has got bulkier. It is a heavy and chunky phone, but at the same time, it has just the right weight and balance. The flat display with a boxy shape and rounded corners adds to the modern and sharp design. It’s comfortable to hold and easy to grip, even during long usage.

OnePlus has also kept the camera layout neat. There’s a vertically aligned dual camera setup with a flash on the top-left corner of the back. It’s compact and doesn’t stick out much, which makes the phone look clean and simple. The power button and volume rockers are placed on the right, while we have a customisable Plus Key on the left.

OnePlus Nord 5 – Display

OnePlus Nord 5 comes with a huge punch-hole display, which elevates the overall feel of the phone at first glance. It is a 6.83-inch AMOLED panel with a 1.5K resolution (2800 × 1272) and a pixel density of 450 ppi. Everything looks crisp, detailed and vibrant on this screen. It gives an immersive experience with its uniform and quite narrow bezels.

The panel supports 10-bit colour and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour gamut, so it gets over 1 billion colours on screen. The colours look rich and punchy. It also supports Ultra HDR, making everything pop just a bit more, especially when viewing HDR content.

The screen reaches 1800 nits of peak brightness, which means it stays clearly visible even under harsh sunlight. The Sun-amp technology definitely helps. We never struggled to use the phone outdoors. There are also three brightness levels, 800 nits (adjustable), 1400 nits (full screen) and 1800 nits (peak). This makes the phone instantly adapt depending on where you are.

This display also stands out for being too smooth in its functioning. With a 144Hz refresh rate, every swipe, scroll, or animation feels buttery smooth. Whether you’re switching between apps, playing games or just scrolling Instagram, the responsiveness is spot on. It also reacts instantly to taps and we hardly faced any touch issues in our week-long use. This altogether means the phone is great for fast-paced games.

For everyday comfort, OnePlus has packed in features like Nature Tone Display, Eye Comfort mode, Night Mode and Colour Vision Enhancement. There is also 3840Hz PWM dimming to help reduce eye strain.

The screen is also well protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, which was co-developed especially for this display.

OnePlus Nord 5 – Performance

The phone is powered by the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, which brings flagship-level performance to the mid-range segment. This phone breezes through everything, whether it is gaming, multitasking or just everyday use. We used the phone as our primary device for a week and we didn’t face any lag or stutter issues during that time. Everything just felt fast and smooth.

Our unit had 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB RAM UFS 3.1 storage, which is more than enough for an average to heavy user. We felt the app loading times were quite quick and switching between apps was instant as well. And in case anyone needs more RAM, OnePlus also includes RAM-Vitalization and RAM expansion option of up to 12GB extra.

We tested the phone on multiple standard benchmarking platforms and maxed out when it comes to benchmarking results. Below are the results –

The phone is truly made for gamers out there. It is a powerful device that perfectly handles graphic heavy games. We tried playing some of the popular games and it was a smooth experience. The phone is equipped to handle heat with a massive 32,207 mm² heat dissipation system. The phone stays cool even during heavy gaming sessions or fast charging. We played a few intense sessions on it and while it warmed up a bit, it never got uncomfortably hot.

The haptics are good too. The X-axis haptic motor gives those precise vibrations and makes the phone feel more responsive.

It has also received TÜV SÜD’s 72-month fluency rating, which basically means the phone is built to stay fast for years and not just the first few months.

The Nord 5 runs on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15. It’s lightweight and well-optimised. There are some unnecessary apps, but it is mostly a clean and fast UI to work with.

OnePlus Nord 5 – Camera Performance

The OnePlus Nord 5 packs a decent camera system that seems capable for both casual snaps and serious shooting. The combination of the main 50MP Sony LYT-700 (IMX906) sensor and an 8MP ultra-wide lens somewhat makes it versatile enough.

The good news is that the camera performance is consistent. It delivers clear and detailed photos with good colour and dynamic range. In good lighting, shots come out sharp with natural colour. And even in low light, the images are mostly well-balanced.

Day Camera Samples

Night Camera Samples

We took a bunch of daylight photos and the detail on textures, such as leaves or buildings, was spot on. At night, the Nightscape mode kicks and reduced noise. It improves clarity without making things look too artificial.

We did notice some distortion in some pictures around the edges, which can be a lighting issue. Also, the auto focus in Macro shots sometimes takes a little more time.

Day Video Samples

Night Video Samples

For videos, the Nord 5 supports up to 4K at 60fps at both the front and the rear. We recorded small videos on the phone in different lighting and the footage looks steady and sharp.

Overall, the Nord 5’s camera setup simply checks the boxes. It may not be the best of the smartphone cameras in the segment, but it is a reliable option and delivers results.

OnePlus Nord 5 – Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is solid and one of the biggest upgrades. It has a huge 6,800mAh battery that easily powers you through a day and a half. And when needed to top up, the 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging is super convenient. OnePlus is packing the adapter in the box. It fully charged the phone in under 40 minutes in our testing.

There is also the bypass charging feature, so if you’re gaming while plugged in, the battery doesn’t heat up. It also has reverse wired charging for topping up earbuds or other devices.

Verdict – Should You Buy the OnePlus Nord 5?

Nord 5 is a classy-looking phone with a glass-backed design. The big 144Hz AMOLED display and Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor makes it a perfect smartphone for gamers. It is bright, sharp and super smooth. The cameras are reliable and the battery life is solid with 80W charging support (you get the 80W adapter inside the box). OxygenOS 15 keeps everything fast and fluid. Basically, Nord 5 feels like a well-rounded phone.

So, if you’re looking for a phone that feels like flagship-level in hand and has all the basics right, the OnePlus Nord 5 should be worth considering.

Reasons To Buy

• For gaming
• For streaming
• Classy, minimalist design
• Solid battery life and charging

Reasons Not to Buy

• Camera could have been better
• Build quality isn’t optimal

Alternatives

iQOO Neo 10 – ₹31,998

POCO F7 – ₹31,999

Samsung Galaxy A36 5G – ₹30,999

vivo V50 – ₹34,999

FAQs

Q1. What is the starting price of the OnePlus Nord 5 in India?

Answer. OnePlus Nord 5 launched in India at the starting price of ₹31,999.

Q2. What memory and storage variants are available for the OnePlus Nord 5?

Answer. Memory variants include 8GB + 256GB, 12GB + 256GB, and 12GB + 512GB.

Q3. Which colour options are available for the OnePlus Nord 5?

Answer. It’s available in three colour variants: Marble Sands, Dry Ice, and Phantom Grey.

Q4. What are the camera specs of the OnePlus Nord 5?

Answer. Dual rear camera, 50MP Sony LYT-700 CMOS + 8MP OV08D10 Ultrawide and Front camera is a 50MP SAMSUNG ISOCELL JN5.

Q5. Which processor powers the OnePlus Nord 5?

Answer. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 Mobile Platform.

Also Read: OnePlus Pad Lite Launched in India: A Practical Entertainment and Learning Companion

Also Read: OnePlus Nord 5 and Nord CE5 5G Launched in India with AMOLED Displays and 50MP Cameras