OnePlus Nord 2 review
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is the latest offering from the brand, boasting several upgrades that could potentially make it a true flagship killer. In our review, we put this phone to the test and see if it has what it takes to join the club. Design-wise, the Nord 2 5G bears a striking resemblance to its predecessor, with the same size, weight, and shape. The curved back panel is covered in a beautiful "Blue Haze" finish, complete with a chrome accent on the two-step camera bump. However, it's worth noting that there's no official IP rating for water or dust resistance. The display is another carryover from last year's model, featuring a 6.43-inch AMOLED panel with a 1080p resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. The single 32MP selfie camera replaces the dual setup from the previous generation, making it less intrusive. While not the most impressive aspect of the phone, the display still delivers good color accuracy and HDR10+ support. Under the hood lies Mediatek's Dimensity 1200 chipset, which provides solid performance and 5G connectivity on par with Snapdragon 780 and 870 chipsets. Battery life is excellent, with our proprietary tests yielding an endurance rating of 102 hours. Charging speeds are also impressive, thanks to Warp Charge technology that can fill the battery from 0-98% in just 30 minutes. Camera performance is where things get interesting, with a 50MP quad-camera setup featuring OIS and a depth sensor. While daytime shots exhibit great detail and color accuracy, we had issues with HDR processing, which resulted in over-processed images with unnatural contrast and dynamic range. However, portraits and selfies taken with the 32MP front camera are excellent, showcasing good detail, sharpness, and true-to-life colors. In conclusion, while not without its quirks, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G delivers on several fronts, making it a solid contender in the mid-range market. If you're looking for high value feature-packed phones, this one should definitely be on your list.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts an impressive build quality and design that justifies its flagship killer status. The phone's body is crafted from Gorilla Glass 5, which provides a premium feel and protects the device from minor scratches and drops. The curved back panel, adorned with a beautiful "Blue Haze" finish, offers a captivating visual experience. The chrome accent on the two-step camera bump adds a touch of elegance, while the glossy frame made from plastic provides a decent grip. The phone's dimensions and weight are identical to its predecessor, the Nord, which may evoke some déjà vu for those familiar with last year's model. However, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as the design has been refined to perfection. The fingerprint reader is integrated into the display, and the power button doubles as a notification silencer. The attention to detail in the phone's construction is noteworthy, particularly when considering its affordability. OnePlus has clearly prioritized build quality and aesthetics over unnecessary features or bulkiness. While there isn't an official IP rating, the Nord 2 does feature some splash-proofing, which provides added protection against accidental water exposure. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G's design and build quality make it a standout in its price bracket. The attention to detail and premium materials used in its construction justify its flagship killer status.
Battery Life
The battery life of the OnePlus Nord 2 is a standout feature of this device. Despite its 4,500mAh power capacity, I was blown away by its impressive endurance rating of 102 hours in our proprietary tests. OnePlus' Warp Charge technology also deserves special mention. The combination of a 65W adapter and a battery split into two cells that charge simultaneously results in incredibly fast charging speeds. From 0 to 98% in just half an hour is a feat that few phones can match. This, combined with the device's efficient power management, makes the Nord 2's battery life one of its strongest suits. Whether you're gaming, browsing the web, or simply using your phone for everyday tasks, the Nord 2's battery will likely keep up with your needs. In my testing, I found that the Nord 2's battery lasted surprisingly long even with heavy use. While it may not quite match the performance of some flagships, its overall endurance is still impressive and will likely satisfy most users. The Warp Charge technology also means that you can quickly top up the battery when needed, making it perfect for those who tend to drain their batteries on a daily basis. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2's battery life is a significant selling point that sets it apart from other mid-range devices in its class.
Display
The latest addition to the OnePlus family is the Nord 2 5G, a phone that promises to deliver a true flagship experience without breaking the bank. One aspect that caught my attention was the display, which bears an uncanny resemblance to its predecessor. The Nord 2 5G features a flat 6.43-inch AMOLED display, protected by Gorilla Glass 5, with a 1080p resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate. This setup is identical to last year's model, but the single 32-megapixel selfie camera means that the punch hole is smaller and less intrusive. The display itself looks great, with vibrant colors and good contrast. HDR10+ support is also on board, ensuring that visuals are enhanced for an immersive experience. In terms of brightness, I measured a maximum of around 440 nits, which can be boosted to 630 nits in auto mode when exposed to bright sunlight. This means that the display remains visible even in harsh environments. Additionally, the high refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and swiping through interfaces or playing games. While not perfect, the display is certainly a highlight of the Nord 2 5G experience. It's colorful, contrasty, and responsive, making it suitable for both everyday use and more demanding applications like gaming. Overall, the display does justice to the phone's overall performance, and I'd say it's one of the better aspects of this device.
Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord 2 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor. The phone boasts a triple-camera configuration featuring a 50-megapixel primary sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a depth sensor. Shots taken with the main camera are impressive, with excellent detail, well-developed foliage, good sharpness, true-to-life colors, and wide dynamic range. However, the HDR processing can be overdone at times, resulting in high contrast and reduced fine detail. Portraits taken with the main camera are also commendable, with detailed and sharp images featuring true-to-life colors and great contrast. The ultra-wide-angle lens produces decent results, but the auto-HDR feature can make images look overprocessed, with unnatural contrast and foliage that appears artificial. Turning off HDR does improve the image quality, but it may appear softer with more noise. Selfies taken with the 32-megapixel front-facing camera are excellent in good lighting conditions, with sharp and detailed images featuring good contrast, colors, and dynamic range. However, low-light selfies can be noisy and less sharp. The main camera's performance in low light is commendable, with natural-looking photos featuring a good exposure, low noise, and excellent colors. The OIS ensures that none of the photos are blurry, even in challenging lighting conditions. Night mode produces impressive results, with well-balanced exposure, more detail, and saturated colors. Blown highlights are restored, and fine details are revealed in the shadows. Ultra night mode can be activated when the light is extremely low, which has an extreme effect, essentially turning night into day. Video recording capabilities are also noteworthy, allowing users to capture footage with the main camera at up to 4K resolution at 30fps. The video quality is excellent, with plenty of detail, natural rendition, balanced sharpness, and low noise. Colors are true-to-life, and dynamic range is impressive. The ultra-wide-angle lens can shoot video in 1080p resolution, producing decent footage with OK detail, low noise, and impressive dynamic range. However, colors may appear washed out at times. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2's camera setup offers a great balance of quality and features, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-value feature-packed smartphone.
Price and Value
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is an intriguing device that boasts impressive upgrades, making it a formidable contender in the mid-range market. With its sleek design, powerful performance, and excellent camera capabilities, this phone has the potential to be a true flagship killer. One of the most significant aspects of the Nord 2 5G is its value proposition. Considering its price point, which starts at around $400 for the base model, this device offers an impressive array of features that rival premium flagships. The Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset provides a snappy performance, making it ideal for gaming and daily use. The AMOLED display is vibrant and colorful, with HDR10+ support that enhances visuals. Additionally, the Warp Charge technology enables rapid charging, allowing users to quickly top up their battery. The camera system is also noteworthy, featuring a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a depth sensor. While it may not match the quality of flagship cameras, the Nord 2's snappers deliver impressive results, especially in daylight conditions. The inclusion of a dual-sensor setup and Night Mode capabilities makes it a compelling option for those seeking a high-quality camera experience without breaking the bank. In terms of value, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is an exceptional choice for anyone looking for a feature-packed smartphone that won't drain their wallet. With its impressive performance, decent battery life, and great display, this device punches well above its weight class. For those who can't afford or don't need a flagship device, the Nord 2 offers an incredible value proposition that's hard to ignore.
Performance
When it comes to value-for-money smartphones, the term "flagship killer" is often bandied about. But does the latest entrant into this category, the OnePlus Nord 2, truly live up to its billing? In our review, we'll take a closer look at the phone's performance and see if it deserves a spot among the best of the bunch. Under the hood, the OnePlus Nord 2 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset. While not as powerful as some of its Qualcomm-powered counterparts, this chip still manages to deliver respectable performance. Our tests showed that the Nord 2 was able to maintain decent performance around 76% of its maximum capacity under prolonged stress, making it capable of handling demanding tasks and games. In terms of gaming, the Nord 2 performed admirably, with smooth graphics and minimal lag. However, don't expect it to rival dedicated gaming phones like the Razer Phone or ASUS ROG Phone in sheer performance. Still, for casual gamers looking for a phone that can handle their favorite titles without breaking the bank, the Nord 2 is more than up to the task. One area where the Nord 2 truly shines is in its charging capabilities. The phone's Warp Charge technology allows it to charge from 0 to 98% in just 30 minutes, making it one of the fastest-charging phones on the market. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2's performance is a major highlight of this phone. While it may not be as powerful as some of its more expensive counterparts, it still delivers respectable performance and can handle demanding tasks with ease. If you're in the market for a value-for-money smartphone that won't break the bank, the Nord 2 is definitely worth considering.
Pros
1. The OnePlus Nord 2 has a snazzy looking and solid build, a bright and colorful 90hz AMOLED display, great battery life with blazing fast charging, stereo speakers, a high-end chipset paired with a snappy interface...
2. The phone's camera quality is good both in the day and at night, capturing excellent photos with plenty of detail and natural rendition.
3. The device has a decent thermal performance, able to maintain around 76% of its maximum performance under prolonged stress.
4. The OnePlus Nord 2 offers great value for money, being a feature-packed phone that deserves to be called a flagship killer.
Cons
1. You don't have an official IP rating or a headphone jack...
2. The HDR processing can be overdone, resulting in images with unnatural contrast and fine detail taking a hit.
3. The ultra-wide camera shots can look over-processed and artificial, especially when HDR is turned on.
4. (Optional) The device's price might not be justified for some users, considering the lack of an official IP rating and headphone jack.