Is the OnePlus Nord 4 5G a Worthwhile Investment? A Comprehensive Review
The OnePlus Nord 4 5G recently made its debut in the Indian market, offering promising specifications and features. We spent several days testing the 12GB RAM / 256GB storage variant in the striking Mercurial Silver color to provide a thorough review of this latest release. Here’s an in-depth look at our experience, highlighting the phone’s strengths and areas for improvement.
Design and Build Quality
The OnePlus Nord 4 5G showcases a sleek design with a punch-hole display and thin bezels for a modern look. Constructed with a robust metal frame, the phone feels premium in hand. On the right side, the power and volume buttons are conveniently placed, while the alert slider is on the left, allowing for easy switching between silent, vibrate, and ring modes.
At the bottom, you’ll find the SIM card tray, USB Type-C port, primary microphone, and speaker grill, with the IR blaster and secondary microphone at the top. The rear camera module has been redesigned, featuring a horizontal layout with a dual LED flash, which is a departure from the previous vertical designs.
Although the design is functional and well-built, it may not appeal to everyone. The phone’s metal frame can be slippery, so using a protective case is advisable to maintain a secure grip.
Display Quality
The OnePlus Nord 4 5G boasts a 6.74-inch AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 120 Hz refresh rate. This combination delivers vibrant colors and smooth animations, making the phone ideal for multimedia consumption. With a peak brightness of 2000 nits, the display remains legible even under direct sunlight, ensuring a great experience for outdoor usage.
Our testing included binge-watching sessions on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ Hotstar, where the display’s HDR10+ support shone through, providing crisp visuals and deep contrasts. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 4 5G’s display quality is impressive and competes well within its price range.
Performance and Multitasking
Powered by the Snapdragon 7 Plus Generation 3 processor, the OnePlus Nord 4 5G excels in handling everyday tasks and multitasking. The 12GB RAM and 256GB storage configuration we tested allowed for seamless app switching and smooth performance across various applications.
Gaming on the Nord 4 5G was a delight. We tested resource-intensive games like Asphalt 9, Call of Duty, and BGMI, and the phone performed admirably without any noticeable lag or overheating. The powerful processor ensures a fluid gaming experience, making the device suitable for gaming enthusiasts.
Battery Life and Charging
The OnePlus Nord 4 5G is equipped with a robust 5500 mAh battery, complemented by a 100-watt fast charger. During our testing, the phone easily lasted a full day on a single charge, even with extensive usage that included WhatsApp, calls, navigation, streaming, gaming, and photography. At the end of a busy day, the battery still had about 29% remaining.
The 100-watt fast charger is a standout feature, capable of fully charging the phone in just 40 minutes. This combination of long battery life and rapid charging ensures that users are rarely left without power.
Camera Performance
The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord 4 5G offers good performance in most scenarios. The primary rear camera captures clear and detailed photos during the day, with excellent color reproduction. Even after zooming in, the images retain their quality.
However, the ultra-wide-angle camera has a lower resolution, which results in slightly less detailed photos compared to the primary camera, especially in bright daylight. The rear camera excels in low-light conditions, with the night mode enhancing the quality of photos taken in dim environments.
The selfie camera produces sharp and vibrant images in well-lit conditions but struggles slightly in low light, where a lack of detail becomes noticeable. Overall, the camera system is solid, but there is room for improvement in the ultra-wide and front-facing cameras.
Pricing and Availability
The OnePlus Nord 4 5G is available in three variants in India:
- 8GB RAM / 128GB storage: ₹29,999
- 8GB RAM / 256GB storage: ₹32,999
- 12GB RAM / 256GB storage (reviewed variant): ₹35,999
Considering the features and performance, the Nord 4 5G offers good value for its price, especially for users seeking a balance between performance, display quality, and battery life.
Final Thoughts
The OnePlus Nord 4 5G impresses with its vibrant display, robust performance, and exceptional battery life. While the camera could use some refinement, particularly in low light and with the ultra-wide sensor, it remains a strong contender in its segment. If you’re in the market for a smartphone that offers a great combination of features and performance at a competitive price, the OnePlus Nord 4 5G is a worthy option.
