OnePlus Nord CE 5 Review: A Solid Mid-Range Performer That Delivers on Every Front

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 enters the competitive mid-range smartphone space with a price tag of ₹24,999. Positioned as the more budget-friendly sibling of the Nord 5, it manages to hit the sweet spot by offering just the right mix of performance, features, and reliability without trying to over-impress or overcomplicate. It does not make exaggerated promises, and yet, manages to impress with its all-rounder capabilities, making it an ideal pick for those seeking value for money.

Summary Table

Design and Build: Clean, Minimal and Comfortable

The OnePlus Nord CE 5 retains OnePlus’ signature design philosophy minimalistic, refined, and premium without being flashy. The Nexus Blue color variant reflects light subtly while maintaining a matte finish that feels smooth to the touch and resists fingerprints.

Weighing in at 199 grams, the phone feels balanced and not overly bulky despite housing a large display and battery. The rounded edges and curved sides offer a comfortable grip, even during extended one-handed use. The top-left-aligned rear camera module sits nearly flush with the back panel and doesn’t interfere during gaming or while resting on a flat surface.

Button placements are tactile and ergonomic, with the power button on the right and a hybrid SIM slot on the bottom left. At the base, you’ll find a USB Type-C port, a microphone, and a single bottom-firing speaker, which is reasonably loud and clear for casual media use. The standout addition here is the IP65 rating, offering splash and dust resistance a welcome durability upgrade in this segment.

Display: Bright, Smooth, and Highly Responsive

The phone features a 6.77-inch FHD+ Super Fluid AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, making it a delight to use for scrolling, gaming, and video consumption. With a peak brightness of 1,430 nits and support for HDR10+, sRGB, Display P3, and 10-bit color, the display shines literally.

Outdoor visibility is excellent, and the Aqua Touch feature ensures that the display responds accurately even when your fingers are wet a thoughtful addition during monsoons. Whether you’re watching Netflix or simply scrolling Instagram, the visuals remain crisp and vibrant.

Software and AI Features: Clean, Intelligent, and User-Friendly

Running on OxygenOS 15 based on Android 15, the interface is bloat-free, fast, and highly customizable. OnePlus has managed to make its software even more refined with this release, delivering fluidity even during heavy multitasking.

One key highlight is the Open Canvas multitasking feature, previously found on OnePlus tablets. It allows seamless drag-and-drop of apps into split-screen and floating window modes. In addition, AI-enhanced features such as AI Summary, AI Translation, and AI Writer genuinely improve productivity and usability.

Performance: Dependable Powerhouse

The MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex SoC, built on a 4nm TSMC process, powers the device. Paired with 8GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage, performance is robust across daily usage, app switching, and gaming.

Benchmark Results:

• Geekbench Single-Core: 1312

• Geekbench Multi-Core: 4073

• GPU Score: 7302

• Antutu Score: 1,392,688

These numbers place it above the Redmi Note 13 and in line with the iQOO Z9, both strong performers in the mid-range segment.

Gaming titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile run smoothly at 90 to 120 FPS, although the phone can warm up during longer sessions. The CryoVelocity VC Cooling System helps regulate temperatures, although occasional frame drops may occur during intensive gameplay.

Camera: Flagship-Like Tuning on a Budget

The 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor with OIS is a surprise performer. Photos taken in daylight are sharp, color-accurate, and well-exposed. Features like RAW HDR and Real Tone tuning, borrowed from the OnePlus 13 series, bring flagship-level processing to this affordable phone.

There’s also an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera, which does not blow minds but performs reliably without heavy edge distortion. While the ultra-wide is nothing exceptional, it’s a helpful addition for group shots or landscapes.

Battery Life and Charging

With a 5,500mAh Silicon-Carbon battery, the Nord CE 5 easily delivers up to 1.5 to 2 days of moderate use. It supports 80W SUPERVOOC fast charging, which can take the battery from 0 to 100% in about 45 minutes, ensuring quick top-ups when needed.

Verdict: Who Should Buy the OnePlus Nord CE 5?

If you’re looking for a reliable smartphone under ₹25,000 that gets the basics right without bloat or gimmicks, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 is an excellent pick. With a crisp display, capable performance, practical software, and long battery life, it balances power and simplicity perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Does the OnePlus Nord CE 5 support 5G?

A. Yes, it supports 5G with multiple band support for India.

Q2. Is there a headphone jack on the Nord CE 5?

A. No, the phone does not come with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Q3. How long does the battery last?

A. With average use, the battery lasts around 1.5 to 2 days.

Q4. Can I expand the storage?

A. No, it has a hybrid SIM slot but does not support expandable storage via microSD.

Q5. Is the phone suitable for gaming?

A. Yes, casual and moderate gaming runs very well, though prolonged sessions may cause slight heating.

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