In the last few years OnePlus has started to focus a lot on mid-range, providing smartphones with good hardware, along with best-optimized software, at really attractive prices. The new OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G it falls into this category and we tested it for our one review. A smartphone that has all that you need for many users, but with some limit: we will try to help you understand if it is for you.
Our OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G review
The new OnePlus Nord CE 2 results elegant right from the box, which is also quite complete. In fact, you will find a transparent silicone cover and above all the 65W charger, with a long and resistant cable. OnePlus also sent us two covers in Sandstone which are really well made and elegant.
Even before turning it on, even the smartphone has a refined style (although not too original). The back rises in the bump for the camera, while ckeeping the same color (in our sample Bahama Blue, but there is also Mirror Gray. The bezels of the flat screen are thin. A smartphone that does not innovate in design, but is still well made and elegant.
The big plus point instead lies in the thick really small (7.8mm) and in the weight of only 173 grams. This makes the device really comfortable and light in the hand, although the 6.43-inch screen is certainly not small. Comparing it with other smartphones in this range it is decidedly lighter in the hand, without giving up a good constructive solidity.
And despite being subtle, we find a jack audioright next to the entrance USB–C. A gift that those who love to listen to music with good quality can only appreciate.
Display and fingerprint sensor
The display 6.43 inch AMOLED fluid does not disappoint. OnePlus has equipped Nord CE 2 5G with a resolution FHD+ (1080×2400), con un refresh rate da 90Hz. The difference with a top of the range (like the OnePlus 10 Pro itself recently announced in Italy) is noticeable for those with a trained eye. But the vast majority of users will be satisfied with the fast refresh rate and good pixel density.
The brightness of 800 nits makes it clearly visible in almost any situation, even if the first days of intense sunshine these days have put a strain on the screen. However, it is also appreciable in direct light. L’HDR10+ it shines in the reproduction of the contents that support it and also the audio apparatus does not disappoint.
On the display you will also find the fingerprint sensor digital. It surprised us positively: really very responsive and throughout the duration of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 review it never failed to recognize our thumb.
Average performance, aided by software
OnePlus has equipped its smartphone with a chip MediaTek Dimensity 900, accompanied by 8GB. For daily use they are more than enough. Switching from one app to another does not involve any delay, the phone is snappy in any situation. Different speech for gaming: if you play games that are particularly demanding in terms of 3D graphics, the frame rate drops. Nothing problematic, but if you are looking for a phone to play, maybe you can bet on something else.
We tried to run some benchmarks, with good results. Geekbench comes to 2146 while 3DMark comes to 2019. Results that confirm what has already been said: excellent in daily use (even intense) but not a specialist in mobile games.
OxyGenOS is the strong point of this smartphone
If the hardware performance is good but not great, the software shines. Unfortunately you still find Android 11, OxyGenOS does what we would like every variant of Android to do. It introduces a style all its own, while not being intrusive: find the OnePlus classic red “1” in the timetable, some shortcuts and graphic customization. No useless apps: the only extra compared to the basic ones of Google and OnePlus is that of Netflix.
There are no big news compared to last year’s model. But the lack of novelty is not as important as the robustness and simplicity of the operating system.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G review: the camera
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G has a triple rear sensor, even if the main camera is the great protagonist. In fact the 64MP main sensor with f / 1.8 produces richly detailed and very well balanced shots, especially in good light conditions. When the light decreases the accuracy changes a bit, due to the not particularly large sensor and theabsence of optical stabilization.
The fotocamera ultra-wide da 8MP it is decidedly less powerful, with many details that are lost by changing the sensor. The yield is not particularly dynamic and the colors shine less, but all in all it does its duty with the right lighting conditions. The camera 2MP macro it does its duty but it is a step backwards, no doubt. A telephoto sensor is missing and it shows: the zoom loses definition after 2x.
However it should be noted that statistically most users use the camera by simply pointing and shooting, then with the main camera. Photos and videos are therefore of good quality, even if not exceptional.
The but software does its job, especially the portrait mode convinced us, while the night mode suffers from a lack of detail. It’s not a camera for aspiring mobile photographers, but it offers most users enough options.
To the camera from 16MP for selfies we give more or less the same judgment: good but not exceptional.
Autonomy and recharge
OnePlus has equipped the Nord CE 2 5G with a 4.500mAh, formed by two cells to allow fast charging without the risk of damaging it. Using your smartphone to the fullest during testing for this review, OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G however he arrives at the end of the day without any problem. On a more “classic” day of use, you can even close the two working days without having to recharge.
But when you need to reload, i 65W they make everyone feel. OnePlus uses technology SuperVOOC of Oppo, which allows you to recharge your smartphone at the 50% in just a quarter of an hour. With about 35 minutes charging we took it from 2% to full charge, just slower in actual use than announced by the company. Charging it when it enters economy mode (15-20% depending on your settings), you will always get by with less than half an hour plugged in.
The OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G review: is it worth buying?
The new OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G costs 359 euro on the OnePlus website, placing itself in a mid-range definitely full of excellent alternatives. Compared to many smartphones in this range, this smartphone lacks the “top-of-the-range functionality”: a brilliant photo sensor, powerful processor, or some other superlative gem.
But he defends himself in every department. The main camera is very good, the processor has sufficient performance. And the 65W charging and the software clean are important pluses. Then it is light and comfortable to holdperhaps the quality that we appreciated the most of the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G during this review.
Buy it if you want one lightweight smartphone, with simple and elegant software and excellent charging performance. Anyone looking for a smartphone for the gaming or for photo semi-professional should instead look elsewhere.
PRO
- Light and thin
- Clean and elegant software
- Fast charging at 65W
AGAINST
- Subdued performance in games
- Good main camera, minus for ultra-wide and macro