OnePlus Nord CE 4 5G Review – Pros and cons, Verdict

It’s exceptional how issues change in only one yr. Then, some issues don’t. And that’s the OnePlus Nord CE4 in a nutshell.

In comparison with final yr’s OnePlus Nord CE3 5G (evaluate), the OnePlus Nord CE4 options heaps of modifications each on the surface and the within. For instance, the rear panel now options solely two cameras as a substitute of three in a special avatar. There’s an enormous give attention to longer battery backup and sooner charging. The brand new Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC powering the telephone even guarantees potent AI capabilities.

Nonetheless, issues that haven’t modified embody the selfie digital camera, which I really feel is an important factor of modern-day smartphones. The 2 years of Android OS replace promise is first rate however not on top of things of business requirements. Furthermore, the Nord CE4 lacks the alert slider for quantity management (much like the Nord CE3 5G), which in case you ask me is essential to OnePlus ethos with regards to product design.

However, the Nord CE4’s biggest problem lies inside the section it occupies. India’s sub-Rs 30,000 smartphone market is fiercely aggressive, fueled by aggressive launches from manufacturers, together with POCO and iQOO, alongside dominant gamers like Redmi and Samsung. How does it carry out? Let’s discover out.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE4 options many considerate upgrades, making it a way more compelling choice than final yr’s Nord CE3. The telephone additionally checks many packing containers for on a regular basis customers, whether or not it’s the show, battery, or efficiency. Its cameras are additionally good, if not the most effective. Whereas the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC guarantees cutting-edge AI options, we’re nonetheless awaiting the supply of these options from OnePlus..

Design and show

When you examine the Nord CE3 and Nord CE4 facet by facet, evident modifications embody the color and placement of the rear cameras.

There are three cutouts of the again, although the third one solely occupies the LED flash. The pill-shaped digital camera module is a throwback to the unique OnePlus Nord CE from 2021. I’ve received the marble-inspired version of the Nord CE4, which rocks a youthful and lighter vibe if that’s your jam. For individuals who desire one thing extra conventional, there’s the usual black mannequin, known as Darkish Chrome.

There’s not a lot to tell apart in construct and measurement in comparison with the Nord CE3. The Nord CE4 feels stable in hand, and the rear panel affords a clean glass-like end, even when the physique is technically plastic. The rear panel additionally does a dependable job of repelling fingerprint smudges. The smartphone contains an IP54 ranking for mud and water resistance – an ordinary on most gadgets on this vary. So as to add some further sturdiness, OnePlus has included a lovely teal case within the field that enhances the inexperienced marble color scheme completely.

In any other case, its 6.7-inch AMOLED show options are largely equivalent to that of final yr’s mannequin. It doesn’t imply you received’t be happy by the viewing expertise. The Nord CE4 continues to supply full HD+ decision (2,412 x 1,080 pixels) with 120Hz refresh fee and 20:1:9 side ratio. Netflix and Amazon Prime assist HDR playback to make the general viewing expertise punchy.

I watched Spider-Man: No Means Residence on Netflix and Blackberry on Amazon Prime, and the expertise was fairly good. The AMOLED show delivered deep blacks and vibrant colors, although generally a tad too punchy for my liking. The Nord CE4’s stereo audio system additionally complement the general viewing expertise. When you desire utilizing earbuds, you’ll have to depend on Bluetooth connectivity since there’s no headphone jack.

Cameras

As talked about, the Nord CE4 contains two cameras on the again because it ditches the 2MP macro lens. This additionally means one much less digital camera function in comparison with final yr. The first digital camera now utilises a brand new 50MP Sony LYT-600 sensor with OIS (optical picture stabilisation) assist. There nonetheless stays an 8MP ultra-wide digital camera. The entrance retains a 16MP selfie digital camera.

For nonetheless images, the OnePlus Nord CE4 affords dependable efficiency each in brilliant and dim situations. The telephone largely prioritises pure colors with a balanced white steadiness. Beneath harsh daylight, the telephone maintained impartial colors and the main points have been additionally first rate. Nonetheless, the first digital camera struggled to detect the correct tone of darkish blue throughout my take a look at.

The identical color science applies to photographs with a human topic. Pores and skin tone detection can also be pure, although the software program tends to melt facial particulars. The portrait mode affords a wealthy bokeh impact, and the sting detection is equally good. Photographs underneath “Hello-Res” mode seize crisp particulars, however this time, color consistency could be a hit-and-miss.

The OnePlus Nord CE4’s 8MP ultra-wide digital camera additionally affords comparable colors however with a gentle dynamic vary.

In relation to video, the OnePlus Nord CE4 helps a most of 4K recording at 30fps. The corporate might have thought of including 4K60fps assist, a function regularly turning into mainstream on smartphones inside this vary.

In our comparability with the Nothing Telephone 2(a) (evaluate), the OnePlus Nord CE4 confirmed superior efficiency in brilliant and dim situations, at the very least by way of nonetheless photographs. The 16MP entrance digital camera additionally detected pores and skin pretty properly, however there’s scope for enchancment with facial particulars. We additionally observed the identical on final yr’s Nord CE3.

Nonetheless, the Telephone 2(a) affords higher stabilisation and will be thought of over Nord CE4 for movies, particularly if you’re an upcoming content material creator. On that be aware, do comply with our YouTube channel for an in depth digital camera comparability in opposition to the Nothing Telephone 2(a).

I additionally respect that the OnePlus Nord CE4 affords a clear digital camera UI with easy-to-access modes and filters. Nonetheless, the native remover software fails to detect the topic and background. Maybe an OTA replace can repair this challenge.

Efficiency and software program

The OnePlus Nord CE4 attracts energy from Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC. The telephone utilises LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. The bottom variant now affords 8GB RAM with 128GB storage, priced at Rs 24,999. The highest mannequin (Rs 26,999), which I’m additionally utilizing, affords 256GB storage. The telephone affords a hybrid SIM slot, which means you possibly can concurrently use two SIM playing cards or have one SIM and a microSD card for extra storage (as much as 1TB).

For individuals who desire a clear software program expertise, the OnePlus Nord CE4 affords a extremely clear OxygenOS based mostly on Android 14 and received’t disappoint. The corporate guarantees two years of Android OS updates, whereas three would’ve been supreme to tackle the likes of Samsung and Nothing. This iteration of OxygenOS additionally feels gentle and responsive. In my time with the smartphone, I didn’t discover any abrupt heating points.

The Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC onboard affords first rate efficiency beneficial properties over the last-gen mannequin. In AnTuTu’s total CPU-CPU take a look at, the Nord CE4 was forward in numbers in opposition to its speedy friends (photographs above). Even in Geekbench’s single-core and multi-core checks, the Nord CE4 was forward of its rivals. We’re but to see the native AI options that the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC guarantees, and can possible see these down the road with software program updates.

In our gaming take a look at, the Nord CE4 exhibited stable efficiency. I performed BGMI and COD in excessive graphics at 60fps and didn’t face any points with mistouches or heating. The warmth administration was additionally higher than its friends, if not the most effective. Nonetheless, by way of numbers, the POCO X6 Professional stays comparatively forward.

Battery

There’s additionally not a lot to complain in regards to the battery backup, due to a brand new and chunkier 5,500mAh unit. Regardless of carrying an even bigger battery, the Nord CE4’s weight has solely elevated by 2 grams to 186 grams, which is really spectacular.

Within the PCMark’s battery take a look at, the Nord CE4 lasted for over 16 hours with flight mode enabled and 50 % display brightness – a powerful feat. Even the real-life efficiency is equally good, and you’ll count on an all-day backup with a excessive refresh fee enabled and AOD on.

The charging velocity can also be nothing in need of spectacular. The 100W SuperVOOC charger (included within the field) is able to charging the machine from 0 to one hundred pc in underneath 35 minutes.

Last verdict

The OnePlus Nord CE4 completely embodies OnePlus’s “by no means settle” ethos. Whether or not it’s battery life, show high quality, digital camera efficiency, or total velocity, this telephone delivers with out fail.

Whereas the construct high quality is undeniably sturdy, I personally discover the marble design language much less interesting. If design ranks excessive in your record of priorities, you would possibly take into account exploring options just like the Nothing Telephone 2(a) and even the Samsung Galaxy A35. A couple of areas additionally want enhancements. As an illustration, movies on the Nord CE4 weren’t on the optimum degree, and two years of Android OS updates might not appear vital contemplating the competitors. Maybe these areas may even see enhancements subsequent yr.

But when these issues don’t matter an excessive amount of, the Nord CE4 is a superb alternative for on a regular basis customers.

Editor’s ranking: 8 / 10

Causes to purchase:

• The OnePlus Nord CE4 affords wonderful battery backup. It additionally helps super-fast charging with the charger included within the field.
• The software program expertise can also be clear and responsive. Nonetheless, the telephone is but to obtain some cutting-edge AI options.
• The digital camera efficiency in daylight and dim situations is spectacular. The digital camera UI is equally user-friendly.

Causes to not purchase:

• The 2-year software program replace promise is behind the business requirements.
• The OnePlus Nord CE4 additionally affords common video stabilisation. It might’ve provided 4K60fps recording as properly.