OnePlus Nord CE 5 Review: Nice Upgrades Nicer Price
OnePlus Nord is back, blurring the lines between flagship features and mid-range prices! The Nord CE 5 arrives packing serious heat under the hood: a beefier processor and a battery that laughs in the face of your power bank. Think of it as a OnePlus on a budget, complete with their AI smarts. But it’s not alone. The iQOO Z10, Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, Infinix GT 30 Pro, and Vivo T4 are all vying for the mid-range crown in India. The battle for your wallet is on!
So, the OnePlus Nord CE 5 has landed. Starting at Rs. 24,999 for the 8GB/128GB version, bumping up to Rs. 26,999 gets you double the storage. Hungry for more power? The 12GB/256GB model will set you back Rs. 28,999. But in a sea of midrange contenders, does the Nord CE 5 truly stand out, or just blend in? Dive into our full review to discover if OnePlus has crafted another winner.
OnePlus Nord CE 5 Design: Looks Good, Easy to Grip
- Dimensions – 163.58 x 76 x 8.2 mm
- Weight – 199g
- Colours – Black Infinity, Marble Mist, Nexus Blue (Featured in this review)
OnePlus sent us a Nord CE 5 cloaked in a captivating shade of blue, a color that dances across its surface with every shift in perspective. The back panel and frame, while constructed from plastic, don’t detract from its appeal. Echoing its lineage, the dual-camera setup sits perched in the upper left corner. However, a notable change places the LED flash alongside the camera module, a subtle but welcome design tweak.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 has a rear-mounted infrared (IR) transmitter
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 keeps things minimalist. A lone speaker graces the phone’s bottom edge, nestled between the modern USB-C port and the SIM tray’s gateway. Turn it around, and your gaze is met by a front-facing camera subtly embedded in the expansive 6.77-inch display, framed by almost non-existent bezels.
The OnePlus Nord 5 keeps things classic with the volume rocker and power button nestled on the right side, leaving the left edge clean and minimalist, devoid of an alert slider or the elusive Plus Key. The Nord 5 boasts an infrared transmitter up top, but the Nord CE 5 plays hide-and-seek with its IR blaster, tucking it between the rear cameras. Translation? You’ll be pointing the phone’s backside at your TV to change channels. Goodies in the box include a color-coordinated TPU case, a speedy charger, and the trusty SIM ejector tool.
OnePlus Nord CE 5 Software: Smooth, Some AI Features
- Software – OxygenOS 15
- Version – Android 15
- Latest security patch – June 1, 2025
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 arrives draped in Android 15, and swathed in the sleek OxygenOS 15. But the real kicker? OnePlus pledges a full four years of OS upgrades and a staggering six years of security patches. That’s fortress-level future-proofing unheard of at this price. And it gets better: the Nord CE 5 borrows a page from its flagship cousins, packing select AI smarts previously reserved for the Nord 5 and OnePlus 13s.
OxygenOS 15 on the OnePlus Nord CE 5
OxygenOS 15 on the OnePlus Nord CE 5 doesn’t just run it glides. Even juggling half a dozen apps in the background, performance remained buttery smooth. App switching was a breeze, and the only hiccup I encountered was a slight stutter, a momentary lapse induced by the scorching sun while navigating with Google Maps. Imagine the phone momentarily wilting under the heat, only to recover and continue its task flawlessly.
The phone setup nearly got me. Amazon, Cred, and Candy Crush Saga – pre-selected and ready to install. Sneaky! A quick deselect saved the day, and thankfully, uninstalling them post-setup was a breeze. Beyond that near miss, the phone was surprisingly clean. No other bloatware in sight. The software feels shockingly similar to the pricier OnePlus Nord 5. You’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference.
The Nord CE 5 offers support for new OnePlus AI features
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 gets a taste of AI magic, but with a twist. Forget the “Plus Key” shortcut found on the flagship OnePlus 13s and the Nord 5. On this phone, summoning the AI-powered quick save feature requires a three-finger swipe up – a nifty alternative. But that’s not all: “VoiceScribe” summarizes your recorded calls, while a mostly accurate “screen-scanning translate” feature breaks down language barriers. (See the screenshot for proof!)
OnePlus Nord CE 5 Performance: Notable Performance Upgrades
- Processor – MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Apex
- Memory – Up to 12GB LPDDR5x
- Storage – 256GB UFS 3.1
OnePlus Nord CE 5: Packing a MediaTek Punch
Forget incremental upgrades. The OnePlus Nord CE 5 throws down the gauntlet with MediaTek’s Dimensity 8350 Apex SoC, essentially a rebranded powerhouse unleashed last November. The real knockout? It utterly eclipses the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 found in the Nord CE 4. Think of it as a performance leap, not a step. Geekbench numbers don’t lie: the Nord CE 5 flexes its muscles with a staggering 9% single-core and a whopping 25% multi-core CPU performance advantage. Prepare for a noticeably smoother, faster experience.
Left to right: AnTuTu v10, PCMark Work 3.0, Geekbench 6 (tap to expand)
Forget daily usage; the real story lies in the future-proofed power of the Nord CE 5’s chip. While you might not notice a difference scrolling through Instagramtoday, its faster processor is an investment against tomorrow’s demanding apps. Think of it as headroom: the ability to tackle increasingly complex tasks, from editing stunning 4K videos to effortlessly running the latest apps. This phone isn’t just keeping up; it’s ready for what’s next, mirroring the smooth, dependable performance you’d expect from the pricier OnePlus Nord 5.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 laughed in the face of mobile gaming. I threwCall of Duty: Mobile,BGMI(cranked to HD, Ultra settings), andAsphalt Legends Uniteat it. Forty minutes later? Still buttery smooth, zero lag. Battery dipping? No sweat. Just like the Nord 5, bypass charging lets you stay in the game without missing a beat. Game on.
Left to right: PCMark Work 3.0 Battery, GFXBench 5.1, 3DMark (tap to expand)
OnePlus Nord CE 5: Benchmark Battle Royale! See how it stacks up against Vivo T4, Nothing Phone 3a, and Motorola Edge 60 Fusion in Geekbench, 3DMark, AnTuTu, PCMark, and GFXBench showdown. Who will reign supreme?
| Benchmarks | OnePlus Nord CE 5 | Motorola Edge 60 Fusion | Vivo T4 | Nothing Phone 3a |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | MediaTek Dimensity 8350 (4nm) | MediaTek Dimensity 7400 SoC (4nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) | Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 (4nm) |
| AnTuTu v10 | 14,12,373 | 6,49,652 | 7,80,665 | 8,04,179 |
| PCMark Work 3.0 | 13,435 | 16,841 | 11,328 | 13,554 |
| Geekbench 6 Single | 1,317 | 1,087 | 1,120 | 1,158 |
| Geekbench 6 Multi | 3,989 | 3,049 | 3,043 | 3,255 |
| GFXB T-rex | 60 | 92 | 109 | 60 |
| GFXB Manhattan 3.1 | 60 | 46 | 51 | 55 |
| GFXB Car Chase | 60 | 26 | 28 | 28 |
| 3DM Slingshot Extreme OpenGL | Maxed out | 5,742 | 5,307 | 5,485 |
| 3DM Slingshot | Maxed out | 7,155 | 6,767 | 6,954 |
| 3DM Wild Life | Maxed out | 3,630 | 3,924 | 3,988 |
| 3DM Wild Life Unlimited | 11,038 | 3,675 | 4,090 | 4,175 |
Dive into the Nord CE 5’s stunning 6.77-inch OLED display, a portal to vibrant visuals rendered in crisp 1,080×2,392 resolution. Experience silky smooth scrolling and gameplay with its adaptive refresh rate, dynamically shifting between 60Hz and a lightning-fast 120Hz. Responsiveness reaches a new level with a 300Hz touch sampling rate, ensuring every tap and swipe is registered with pinpoint accuracy. Plus, with Widevine L1 certification, unlock a treasure trove of HD and HDR content on Netflix and Prime Video, transforming your viewing experience into a cinematic spectacle.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5’s screen sprang to life in Cinematic mode – my choice during setup. Craving something different? Dive into Standard for a muted palette, or crank up the vibrancy with Vivid. Sunlight? No problem. This display cuts through glare like a knife. And even with wet hands, every tap and swipe registered, crisp and immediate.
OnePlus has equipped the Nord CE 5 with a 6.77-inch display
ProXDR in your Photos app: cool name, deceptive results. Turn it off! What you see isn’t necessarily what you’ve got. Leave it on, and your phone becomes a personal photo booth, adding effects your pics don’t actually have. View those same images on your computer? Prepare for a surprise the original, unedited version staring back at you. Keep it real; ditch the ProXDR filter.
OnePlus Nord CE 5 Cameras: A Decent Primary Camera
- Main camera – 50-megapixel (f/1.8), OIS, up to 4K/ 30fps video
- Ultrawide camera – 8-megapixel (f/2.2)
- Selfie camera – 16-megapixel, EIS, (f/2.4), up to 1080p/ 60fps video
The Nord CE 5’s camera, echoing last year’s model with the Sony IMX600, delivers crisp daytime shots, sidestepping the pitfalls of oversaturation and blown-out exposure in most situations. While blues get a noticeable, almost appealing vibrancy boost, the overall image quality shines. Night photography proves surprisingly capable, demanding only a steady subject to unlock its potential.
Top to bottom: Rear camera samples at 1x (primary), 2x (in-sensor crop) zoom (Tap to expand)
Need to get closer? This phone has you covered with its 2x zoom mode. Think of it as a digital “step closer” button for those slightly out-of-reach shots. Portrait lovers, get ready for flexibility: 1x mode gives you the classic 26mm wide shot or a tighter 35mm perspective, while 2x zoom locks in at a flattering 51mm. And when the lights go down? Its night mode rivals the OnePlus Nord 5, capturing impressive detail even in challenging low-light conditions, as long as your subject holds still!
The ultrawide lens, armed with an OV08D10 sensor, delivers surprisingly crisp 8MP daytime shots. Expect that cool, expansive perspective, but keep an eye out for some edge warping – it’s the price you pay for the wideness. Colors stay true to the main camera’s palette, which is a welcome consistency.
However, night is where this lens falters. Details vanish into the darkness, forcing the camera’s algorithms into overdrive to combat noise and color inaccuracies. Plus, it’s noticeably slower than the primary shooter in low light. Bottom line? Stick to the main camera when the sun goes down for the best results.
Top to bottom: Ultrawide camera samples, a selfie and a portrait shot (Tap to expand)
The OnePlus Nord CE 5’s selfie game? Strong. Powered by a Sony IMX480 sensor, it snaps crisp, detailed selfies, thankfully ditching those default beauty filters. Daylight selfies burst with clarity. Low light? Expect a touch of smoothing, but nothing drastic. Portrait mode (2x zoom with the main camera) also gets the soft-focus treatment.
Capture life’s moments with stunning clarity! The main camera boasts optical image stabilization (OIS) up to 1080p/30fps for silky smooth videos. Craving crisp 4K footage? Unleash the 4K/60fps mode. The ultrawide lens expands your horizons with 1080p/30fps recording. Capture flawless selfies at up to 1080p/60fps. For those action-packed scenes, engage Ultra Steady mode and record stabilized videos at 1080p/30fps.
OnePlus Nord CE 5 Battery: Two Days of Usage, One Hour to Charge
- Battery Capacity – 7,100mAh
- Wired Charging – 80W SuperVOOC (USB Type-C)
Forget frantic midday charging. The Nord CE 5 arrives packing a colossal 7,100mAh battery – a true powerhouse and a frontrunner for the biggest battery of 2025. Paired with the remarkably efficient Dimensity 8350 chipset, this phone laughs in the face of single-day battery anxiety. In my tests, it consistently cruised past the two-day mark on a single charge, leaving you free to live your life, untethered.
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 lacks dual stereo speakers
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 juiced up shockingly fast! Using the bundled 80W SuperVOOC charger, we went from zero to full in just a hair over an hour – clocking in between 65 and 68 minutes. But how does that translate to real-world stamina? In our HD video loop, it powered through a marathon 27 hours and 10 minutes. For productivity, the PCMark Work 3.0 test squeezed out an impressive 17 hours and 44 minutes. Keep in mind, those numbers are from lab-controlled scenarios. Your mileage may vary depending on how hard you push it!
OnePlus Nord CE 5: Verdict
The OnePlus Nord CE 5 isn’t just an upgrade; it’s a leap forward. Experience smoother performance and a battery that keeps going when you don’t. Capture life’s moments with a camera system you can depend on. And with four years of OS upgrades and five years of security patches guaranteed, your phone stays fresh and secure for the long haul. Dive into a world of helpful AI features, even if you’ll miss the OnePlus Nord 5’s Plus Key.
The OnePlus Nord 5 stumbles slightly with a mediocre ultrawide lens and the omission of stereo speakers minor letdowns at this price. Before you pull the trigger, consider its fierce competitors: the Motorola Edge 60 Fusion, the stylish Nothing Phone 3a, the Infinix GT 30 Pro 5G, and the Vivo T4 5G. Dive into our full reviews to discover which phone truly reigns supreme. Your next smartphone decision deserves a little homework!
Disclosure: OnePlus sponsored the correspondent’s flights and hotel for an event in Vietnam.
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