OnePlus Nord 4 Review: A Balanced Mid-Range Contender

OnePlus Nord 4 Review: A Balanced Mid-Range Contender

The OnePlus Nord 4 arrives as a strong contender in the mid-range market, combining a premium design, fast performance, and long battery life in one package. While its camera capabilities and local pricing present some challenges, the phone delivers a solid overall experience for users seeking value and performance.

Design and Build

The Nord 4 impresses with its sleek metal and glass construction, measuring 162.6 x 75 x 7.99 mm and weighing 199.5 grams. The combination of glass front and aluminum frames gives it a premium feel, though the phone can be slippery. OnePlus has implemented new antennas to optimize 5G reception through the metal body, and the device carries an IP65 dust and splash resistance rating. Notably, the phone lacks Gorilla Glass protection on the display, which may concern some users at this price point.

Display and Haptics

The 6.74-inch AMOLED panel boasts a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and near bezel-less design, with a flat screen that appeals to gamers. While the display offers decent brightness levels, it does not match the peak brightness seen in competitors like the Realme GT 6T. The haptic feedback stands out as particularly responsive and precise, enhancing the overall user experience, especially for heavy texters and gamers.

Performance and Software

Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor, the Nord 4 delivers swift performance for everyday tasks and gaming. Benchmarks show efficient heat management, with the phone remaining comfortable during extended gaming sessions. Running Android 14 with OnePlus OxygenOS 14.1, the device promises four years of OS updates and six years of security patches, surpassing commitments from some rivals. However, the presence of pre-installed bloatware apps detracts from the experience.

Camera Capabilities

The dual-camera system includes a 50MP primary sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens, producing competent images with good detail and dynamic range. While the Nord 4 competes well with alternatives like the Realme GT 6T, it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens for zoom capabilities. Selfies from the 16MP front camera appear slightly pale, and video recording is limited to 1080p at 30 frames per second, falling behind competitors that offer 4K selfie recording.

Battery Life

With a sizable 5,500 mAh battery, the Nord 4 achieves impressive screen-on times of up to eight hours under heavy use. The included 100W fast charger can fully recharge the device in approximately 30 minutes, though the box notably excludes the power adapter.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 4 presents itself as a well-rounded mid-range option, particularly appealing to those prioritizing performance, design, and battery life. However, potential buyers should consider the camera limitations and the absence of a telephoto lens. For users who value advanced photography features, alternatives like the Honor 200, which includes a dedicated telephoto lens, may be more suitable. Overall, the Nord 4 remains a strong choice in the sub-NPR 70,000 category, despite its minor shortcomings.