OnePlus Nord 2 review
OnePlus is back with the new Nord 2 5G, bringing upgrades that could make this model a true flagship killer. But does it have what it takes to join the club? With a design similar to last year's model, the Nord 2 5G boasts a snazzy looking and solid build, complete with a bright and colorful 90Hz AMOLED display and stereo speakers. The phone also features a high-end chipset, a snappy interface, and good camera quality, both in daylight and at night.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Nord 2's build quality and design are a step up from its predecessor. The phone's curved back panel is made from Gorilla Glass 5, giving it a premium feel. The blue haze finish is a nice touch, making the phone look sleek and stylish. However, the glossy frame is made from plastic, which might not be as desirable for some users. The phone's dimensions are identical to last year's model, with the same size and weight. This might make it difficult to tell them apart at first glance. The chrome accent on the two-step camera bump adds a touch of class, but it's not the most distinctive design feature. OnePlus has done a great job in making the phone's design both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The physical slider to quickly silence notifications or set them to vibrate is a nice addition. However, there's no official IP rating for water and dust resistance, although the phone does have some splash proofing built-in. The overall build quality of the OnePlus Nord 2 feels solid and well-made. It's clear that OnePlus has put in the effort to create a premium product. The phone's design might not be revolutionary, but it's certainly eye-catching and impressive in its own right. In terms of design, the OnePlus Nord 2 is definitely on par with other flagship smartphones. While it may not have all the bells and whistles, it makes up for it with its clean and minimalist aesthetic. The phone's design is sure to appeal to those who value simplicity and a premium feel without breaking the bank. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2's build quality and design are major strengths of the phone. While there might be some minor drawbacks, they don't detract from the overall experience. If you're in the market for a high-end smartphone with great build quality, the OnePlus Nord 2 is definitely worth considering.
Battery Life
OnePlus has finally delivered with their Nord 2 5G, boasting an impressive battery life that's sure to please even the most power-hungry users. The device packs a 4,500mAh power cell, which, in our tests, managed to score an endurance rating of 102 hours. This means you can enjoy your phone for days on end without needing to recharge. But what truly stands out is the charging speed. OnePlus has equipped the Nord 2 with Warp Charge technology, a combination of a 65W adapter and a battery split into two cells that charge simultaneously. The result is lightning-fast charging - from 0 to 98% in just half an hour! This means you can quickly top up your phone on-the-go or get back to gaming without waiting for hours. In our testing, the Nord 2's battery life proved to be very good indeed. We were able to use the phone extensively, running demanding apps and taking plenty of photos, without needing to recharge until the next day. Even after a week of moderate use, we still had around 40% of the battery left. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G's battery life is a major strength of this device. With its generous capacity, fast charging capabilities, and efficient power management, you'll be able to enjoy your phone without worrying about running out of juice.
Display
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G boasts a stunning display that is sure to impress. The 6.43-inch AMOLED screen is protected by Gorilla Glass 5 and offers a crisp 1080p resolution, making it perfect for watching movies or browsing through your favorite apps. One of the standout features of the display is its 90Hz refresh rate. This means that swiping through menus, scrolling through social media, or playing games will be incredibly smooth and responsive. The high refresh rate also makes a big difference in everyday use, making it feel like the phone is always on the move. The display itself is also quite vibrant, with bright colors and good contrast. HDR 10+ support adds an extra layer of visual quality, making it perfect for watching your favorite shows or movies. We measured a maximum brightness of around 440 nits, which is decent, but can be boosted to 630 nits in auto mode when using the phone outdoors. Another notable feature of the display is its compact punch hole, which houses the single 32-megapixel selfie camera. This means that there's less visual clutter on the screen, making it easier to focus on what you're looking at. One thing worth noting is that the display is identical to last year's model, with no major upgrades or improvements. However, this doesn't detract from its overall quality and performance. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G's display is a real highlight of the phone. With its high refresh rate, vibrant colors, and compact punch hole, it's perfect for anyone looking for a high-quality viewing experience on their smartphone.
Camera
The camera system on the OnePlus Nord 2 is a notable upgrade from its predecessor. It features a triple-camera setup with a 50-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a depth sensor. The main camera produces excellent results, with good detail, well-developed foliage, sharpness, and true-to-life colors. However, the HDR processing can be over-processed, leading to high contrast and loss of fine detail. Portraits taken with the main camera are detailed and sharp, with true-to-life colors and great contrast. The subject separation is occasionally an issue, but it's forgivable at this price point. Most ultra-wide-angle shots look a bit over-processed due to the auto-HDR, resulting in unnatural contrast and artificial foliage. Disabling HDR yields softer images with more noise, but they have a more natural look. Selfies taken with the 32-megapixel front-facing camera are excellent in good lighting conditions, with plenty of detail, good contrast, colors, and dynamic range. However, in lower light conditions, the results are noisier and less sharp. Low-light photos from the main camera are impressive, with a natural look, good exposure, low noise, and excellent colors. The optical image stabilization (OIS) helps prevent blurry photos, even in dimly lit environments. Night mode is also effective, producing well-balanced exposure and more detail, with colors that are more saturated and blown highlights restored. The ultra-wide-angle camera can shoot footage in 1080p, which has decent quality, with okay detail, low noise, and impressive dynamic range. However, the colors are washed out. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2's camera system is a significant improvement from its predecessor, producing excellent results in various lighting conditions. While it may not be perfect, it offers great value for its price. The ability to toggle HDR off can help mitigate some of the processing issues, making it a solid choice for those looking for a high-value feature-packed phone with good camera capabilities.
Price and Value
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is a remarkable device that justifies its claim as a flagship killer. With its impressive feature set and competitive pricing, it's hard to ignore this phone. OnePlus has always been known for offering high-end features at affordable prices, and the Nord 2 5G is no exception. This device boasts a powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset, 90Hz AMOLED display, fast charging capabilities with Warp Charge technology, and a quad-camera setup that delivers excellent results in various lighting conditions. The price of the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is another notable aspect. Starting at around $400 for the base model, it's clear that OnePlus has aimed to provide top-tier features without breaking the bank. This makes it an attractive option for those looking for a high-end smartphone experience without the hefty price tag associated with flagship devices from other manufacturers. In terms of value, the Nord 2 5G offers an incredible combination of performance, display quality, and camera capabilities at an unbeatable price point. It's clear that OnePlus has put a lot of effort into delivering a device that can compete with pricier flagships in many aspects. While there are some minor compromises on features like IP rating and headphone jack, these drawbacks are relatively minor considering the overall value proposition offered by the Nord 2 5G. Overall, this phone is an excellent choice for anyone seeking a high-end smartphone experience without the hefty price tag, making it a true flagship killer in every sense of the term.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord 2 5G is an impressive device that boasts a powerful Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset, making it one of the most powerful mid-range phones on the market. The performance is top-notch, with seamless navigation and smooth app switching. Gaming performance is equally impressive, with the phone able to handle demanding titles like Fortnite and Call of Duty without breaking a sweat. The phone's thermal management system does a decent job of keeping the device cool during prolonged usage, although it may throttle slightly under extreme stress. However, this doesn't affect everyday use, and you'll still be able to play heavy games without any issues. In our tests, we found that the Nord 2 5G performed on par with top flagship devices like the Snapdragon 780 and 870 chipsets, making it a serious contender in the mid-range market. The phone's speed and responsiveness make it perfect for multitasking, and you can expect quick app launches and smooth animations. The OxygenOS 11.3 interface is incredibly fluid and responsive, making the most of the Mediatek chipset's capabilities. You'll also appreciate the snappy task switcher, which allows you to quickly jump between apps and enable split-screen mode with ease. With a 4500mAh battery, the Nord 2 5G provides excellent endurance ratings, lasting over 100 hours in our proprietary tests. The phone's Warp Charge technology is incredibly fast, charging from 0-98% in just half an hour. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G's performance is top-notch, making it a serious contender for anyone looking for a feature-packed device that won't break the bank.