Oneplus Nord CE 2 5G Review

• Overview
• Design and Build Quality
• Display
• Performance
• Software and User Interface
• Camera
• Battery Life
• Connectivity and Networking
• Additional Features
• Comparison with Other Related Phones
• Pros and Cons
• Conclusion

Overview

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is a smartphone that was announced on February 17, 2022, and released on February 22, 2022. This device is a follow-up to the original Nord CE, and it aims to provide a similar experience with some improvements. The Nord CE 2 5G comes with a sleek design, a 6.43-inch AMOLED display, a MediaTek Dimensity 900 processor, and a triple-camera setup on the back. This phone also features a large 4,500mAh battery with 65W fast charging capabilities.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 is a sleek and stylish device that boasts a seamless design and premium build quality. At 160.6 x 73.2 x 7.8 mm (6.32 x 2.88 x 0.31 in) and weighing only 173 g (6.10 oz), it's comfortable to hold for extended periods. The device has an attractive mirror gray or bahama blue color options that gives it a premium look and feel.

The device is made with high-quality materials that are durable and long-lasting. It features a glass front and back with an aluminum frame. The device has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection that helps to prevent scratches and cracks on the display. The device is also dust and water-resistant, which adds to its durability.

Ergonomics wise, the device is well-balanced, and the buttons are strategically placed, making it easy to use with one hand. It has a fingerprint sensor on the display that is quick and responsive. The device also has a face unlock feature that provides an added layer of security.

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 has a premium build quality and a sleek design that makes it stand out from other devices in its price range. Its build quality and design are among its strengths.

Display

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G boasts a 6.43-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate. The display has a screen-to-body ratio of 84.9%, providing an immersive viewing experience. The display technology used here is HDR10+, which enhances the contrast and color accuracy of the screen, resulting in vivid and lifelike colors. The screen is also protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, which keeps the phone's display safe from scratches and minor drops.

In terms of brightness, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G has an impressive maximum brightness of 1100 nits, which makes it easy to use the phone outdoors under direct sunlight. Touch sensitivity and responsiveness are also top-notch, thanks to the phone's fast and accurate touch response.

Color accuracy and vibrancy are also exceptional on this device, with the display reproducing colors accurately and vibrantly. With the 90Hz refresh rate, scrolling through apps or browsing the web feels smooth and seamless.

Overall, the display on the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is one of its standout features, offering a high-quality viewing experience with excellent color accuracy, brightness, and touch sensitivity.

Performance

When it comes to performance, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G definitely delivers. The phone is powered by an octa-core Mediatek MT6877 Dimensity 900 chipset, which is quite powerful and efficient. The 6GB or 8GB of RAM (depending on the variant) ensures that the phone is capable of handling multiple apps and tasks with ease.

In terms of storage, the Nord CE 2 5G comes with 128GB of internal memory, which is more than enough for most users. It also has a dedicated microSDXC card slot if you need extra storage space.

During our testing, we found the phone to be very responsive and fast. Apps launched quickly, and we didn't experience any lag or stuttering when switching between them. The phone also handled demanding games with ease, thanks to the powerful GPU.

We ran some benchmarks to get a sense of the phone's performance, and the results were impressive. In AnTuTu, the Nord CE 2 5G scored 436640, which is quite high for a mid-range device. In GeekBench, it scored 2157, which is also impressive.

Overall, we were very pleased with the Nord CE 2 5G's performance. It's a fast and powerful phone that can handle anything you throw at it. Whether you're multitasking, gaming, or just browsing the web, this phone won't let you down.

Software and User Interface

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G runs on Android 11, which can be upgraded to Android 13 with OxygenOS 13. The user interface is smooth and intuitive, making navigation a breeze. Users can customize their home screen with a variety of widgets and app icons, and the app drawer is organized for easy access to frequently used apps.

OnePlus has done an excellent job of minimizing bloatware, which ensures that the device runs smoothly without unnecessary apps taking up valuable storage space. The device also comes with a range of customization options, such as Theme Store, which allows users to change the device's overall look and feel.

The device's user interface is user-friendly and straightforward, making it easy for users to navigate through menus and settings. The notification center is easy to access, and the quick settings menu is customizable to display frequently used settings.

OnePlus has an excellent track record of providing software updates for its devices, and the Nord CE 2 5G is no exception. The device will receive regular security updates and bug fixes to ensure it remains secure and stable.

Overall, the user interface of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is excellent and intuitive, making it easy for users to navigate the device and customize it to their liking. The software is optimized, and updates are regularly provided, ensuring the device remains secure and up-to-date.

Camera

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G boasts a triple camera setup, with a 64 MP primary sensor, an 8 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 2 MP macro sensor. The camera software is powered by OnePlus’ trusted OxygenOS, which offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface.

In daylight conditions, the primary camera produces sharp and vibrant images, with accurate colors and good dynamic range. The ultrawide sensor is also impressive, capturing a wider field of view without significant distortion. The macro sensor, however, is less impressive, with images often appearing soft and lacking detail.

In low light conditions, the Nord CE 2 5G struggles a bit, with the images appearing noisy and lacking detail. However, the Night mode feature does help to improve the quality of low-light shots, producing images with brighter colors and better detail.

Video recording on the Nord CE 2 5G is also impressive, with the primary camera capable of shooting 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30/60/120fps with gyro-EIS. The ultrawide sensor also supports 1080p at 30fps, making it a useful addition for capturing wider scenes.

The front-facing camera is a 16 MP sensor that captures good quality selfies, with accurate skin tones and good detail. The Nord CE 2 5G also supports video recording with the front-facing camera, with gyro-EIS for better stabilization.

Overall, the Nord CE 2 5G’s camera setup is impressive for its price range, with the primary and ultrawide sensors performing particularly well. However, the macro sensor could use some improvement, and low-light performance is not the best.

Battery Life

Connectivity and Networking

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is a well-connected device, offering a range of networking and connectivity features. It supports 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G cellular networks, which makes it compatible with most carriers across the globe. The device also supports Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, which provides fast and reliable internet connectivity on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands.

Bluetooth 5.2 is also available on the device, which offers faster data transfer speeds and more stable connections. Additionally, the device comes with NFC support, which allows for easy contactless payments and data transfer. The device also has GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, and QZSS support, which ensures accurate location tracking and navigation.

OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G also features a USB Type-C 2.0 port and OTG support, which makes it easy to connect the device to other devices and accessories. The device also has a 3.5mm audio jack, which is great news for those who prefer to use wired headphones.

In terms of sensors, the device comes equipped with a fingerprint sensor (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass. All these sensors work together to provide a seamless and intuitive user experience.

Overall, OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G offers a range of connectivity and networking features that are essential for modern smartphone users. Whether you want to stay connected on the go, stream media content, or transfer data quickly, this device has got you covered.

Additional Features

The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G comes with a range of additional features that make it stand out from the crowd. One of the most notable features is its water and dust resistance, which gives users peace of mind when using the phone in challenging environments.

In terms of audio quality, the phone has a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which provide users with multiple options for listening to music or watching videos. The speaker performance is impressive and produces clear and crisp sound quality.

Another feature that sets the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G apart is its expandable storage options. The phone has a dedicated microSDXC slot that allows users to expand the memory up to 1TB. This is particularly useful for those who need to store large files or media content.

The phone also boasts an impressive array of sensors, including a fingerprint sensor under the display, an accelerometer, a gyro, a proximity sensor, and a compass. These sensors work together to provide users with seamless and efficient navigation and control.

Overall, the additional features of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G make it a versatile and user-friendly device. Its water and dust resistance, expandable storage options, and array of sensors are just a few of the features that make it an excellent choice for anyone in the market for a new phone.

Comparison with Other Related Phones

When comparing the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G to other phones in its price range, it's worth considering some of its closest competitors. One such phone is the Samsung Galaxy A52, which is similarly priced and offers a comparable set of features. Both phones have AMOLED displays and support 5G connectivity. However, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G has a slightly faster processor and a higher refresh rate display compared to the Samsung Galaxy A52.

Another potential competitor to the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. This device is similarly priced and offers a slightly larger display, but lacks 5G connectivity. The Poco X3 Pro has a slightly faster processor, but the Nord CE 2 5G has more RAM.

For those looking for a more premium device, the Google Pixel 5a could be a good option. Though it is priced higher than the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G, it boasts a more powerful processor and a better camera system. However, it lacks expandable storage and its display is not as bright as the Nord CE 2 5G.

Ultimately, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G offers strong competition in its price range, with a solid set of features and a reasonable price point. However, depending on individual needs and preferences, it may be worth considering some of its closest competitors before making a final decision.

Pros and Cons

Conclusion

Overall, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is an impressive mid-range smartphone that offers great value for money. With its sleek design, gorgeous AMOLED display, powerful chipset, and ample storage, it's a device that can handle most tasks with ease. The camera setup is also noteworthy, producing high-quality images and videos in various lighting conditions.

The battery life is decent, and the fast charging technology ensures that the device can be charged up quickly when needed. The software is user-friendly, and the OxygenOS 13 is a delight to use, offering a range of customization options.

While there are some minor shortcomings, such as the lack of wireless charging and water resistance, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G still stands out as a solid choice in the mid-range smartphone market.

If you're looking for a device that offers premium features without breaking the bank, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is definitely worth considering. Its combination of impressive specs, great performance, and attractive design make it a standout option for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.