Do you know that one friend who’s always sitting on the fence, neither here nor there? That’s exactly what the OnePlus Nord 5 feels like. It’s a phone that does a lot right but misses out on just enough to make you question: “Is this the best I can get for ₹30,000?”
This isn’t your average promotional review. We’re digging deep into everything — design, performance, battery, cameras — to find out whether this phone deserves your money or if it’s just another flashy mid-ranger with more hype than substance.
Unboxing Experience
Box Contents Breakdown
Inside the box, you get:
- A solid grey opaque protective case
- An 80W SUPERVOOC charger
- The iconic red USB-A to USB-C cable
- A SIM ejector tool
- Quick guides and documentation
First Impressions: Build & Feel
The moment you pick it up, the phone feels… chunky, but solid. At 213.7 grams, it’s definitely on the heavier side. That said, the marble-like finish on the back and the near-premium build quality do make up for it — to an extent.
Design & Build Quality
- Premium Looks with a Sturdy Frame
The flat sides, glossy glass back, and metal-like camera bump make it feel premium. But don’t be fooled — the frame is still plastic. However, the in-hand feel? Surprisingly good.
- Buttons, Ports, and That Missing Alert Slider
Yes, the iconic OnePlus Alert Slider is missing on the Nord 5. Bummer.
Otherwise, you get:
- Volume rocker + power button
- Dual stereo speakers
- IR Blaster
- USB-C port
- SIM tray (no microSD support)
- Gorilla Glass 7i Protection – Worth the Hype?
This is now standard in this price segment, and it’s a welcome addition. Drop tests show solid durability. Just don’t expect IP68-level ruggedness.
Display
- 6.83” AMOLED, 1.5K Resolution
The display is big, immersive, and vibrant, with great color reproduction. Perfect for binge-watchers.
- 144Hz Refresh Rate – Real or Just Theoretical?
Yes, it’s technically 144Hz, but you’ll mostly see 120Hz in day-to-day use. Only a few gaming scenarios push it to 144Hz.
- Bezels, Brightness & Multimedia Experience
- 93% screen-to-body ratio
- 1800 nits peak brightness – good outdoors
- Very thin bezels and almost invisible chin
Multimedia experience? Top notch.
Performance
- Snapdragon 8s Gen 3: Underwhelming?
For a phone marketed as “gaming-centric,” this chip feels a bit lacking. The 8s Gen 3 is decent but not a flagship killer. And definitely a downgrade from the Dimensity 9400e in China.
- Gaming and Thermals
- Games like BGMI and Genshin Impact run well
- 7300mm² vapor cooling chamber keeps thermals in check
- 90FPS is possible in many titles
- Benchmark Scores vs Real-Life Use
- Antutu: Around 1.4–1.5 million
- Real-life: Smooth, stable, but not exceptional
Battery Life & Charging
- 6800mAh Battery Life Test
Massive battery = massive results.
You can expect 1.5 to 2 days on moderate use.
- 80W Charging Speed – Fast Enough?
Yes! 0 to 100% in under 55 minutes. No wireless charging though.
- Wireless Charging – Missing in Action?
At this price, that’s forgivable — but still worth noting.
Software Experience
- Oxygen OS 15 + Android 15
Clean, fast, and snappy.
Still one of the best Android skins out there. You also get:
- 4 major Android updates
- 6 years of security patches
- AI Features, Gemini & Mind Space
From Circle to Search to Mind Space (AI-powered journaling), OnePlus is catching up with AI trends.
- Bloatware Situation and System Size
- 28–30 GB system usage
- Includes some uninstallable bloat like OnePlus Store, AppX, Community
Camera System
- Rear Camera Specs & Missing Telephoto
- 50MP primary + 8MP ultra-wide
- No telephoto sensor, which is a dealbreaker for some
- Selfie Shooter: 50MP Power
Yes, it’s one of the better selfie cams out there.
Detailed, sharp, and color-accurate.
- Camera UI and Features
Packed with:
- Night mode
- Panorama
- Dual-view video
- Tilt-shift
- Pro mode
- 4K 60FPS (rear & front)
- Video Recording Capabilities
- Rear: 4K 60FPS
- Front: 4K 60FPS
- Ultra-wide: 1080p only
Multimedia & Audio
- Stereo Speakers & Audio Output
- Loud and balanced
- Dolby Atmos supported
- Streaming HDR, Netflix, YouTube Experience
- Widevine L1 certified
- HDR support on Netflix & YouTube
Connectivity & Sensors
- 5G Advanced, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4
- All major 5G bands
- Bluetooth 5.4
- Wi-Fi 6
- 5G Advanced for up to 1Gbps speeds (network-dependent)
- Sensors & Unlock Methods
- In-display fingerprint sensor (a bit low placed)
- Face unlock
- All essential sensors included
Durability & Extras
- IP65 Certification – A Missed Opportunity?
For ₹30,000, IP65 feels insufficient. IP68 would’ve sealed the deal.
- No Notification Light, FM Radio, or USB 3.0?
- USB 2.0 only
- No FM radio
- No notification LED
Good & Bad Things About OnePlus Nord 5
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Gorgeous AMOLED display | No telephoto lens |
| Oxygen OS is still amazing | Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 feels underpowered |
| 6800mAh battery with 80W fast charging | IP65 only – not fully water-resistant |
| Great selfie camera | No wireless charging |
| AI features and Gemini integration | Some bloatware pre-installed |
Price & Value for Money
If this was priced below ₹25,000, it would be a no-brainer. But at nearly ₹30,000, the missing telephoto, downgraded chip, and lack of wireless charging make you think twice.
Final Verdict
The OnePlus Nord 5 isn’t a bad phone — far from it. But it’s not a wholehearted recommendation either. If your top priorities are battery life, Oxygen OS, and design, it’s a solid pick.
But if you’re after raw performance, flagship-grade cameras, or value for money, you might want to wait… or look elsewhere.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. Is OnePlus Nord 5 good for gaming?
Yes, it handles most games well, but don’t expect flagship-level gaming performance.
2. Does OnePlus Nord 5 support wireless charging?
No, it doesn’t. You’ll have to rely on the fast 80W wired charging.
3. Is the OnePlus Nord 5 waterproof?
It has IP65 certification, which offers dust and water resistance, but not full waterproofing.
4. What’s the biggest drawback of Nord 5?
Lack of a telephoto camera and a slightly underpowered processor for the price.
5. How is the camera quality on OnePlus Nord 5?
It’s decent, especially the selfie cam. But rear cameras lack versatility due to the missing telephoto lens.