OnePlus Nord 3 review
The OnePlus Nord 3 is a significant upgrade in the mid-range segment, boasting flagship-grade specs without the hefty price tag. With a powerful Mediatek Dimensity 9000 chipset, high-end display, and fast charging capabilities, this phone promises to deliver premium performance at an affordable price. The camera setup, featuring a Sony IMX 890 sensor, also shows promise in capturing detailed photos with great dynamic range. But can the Nord 3 live up to its potential as a flagship killer? Our review aims to put this question to rest and provide an honest assessment of its capabilities.
Build Quality and Design
The OnePlus Nord 3 boasts a sleek design that sets it apart from its predecessors. The flat glass back is both glossy and mirror-like, with edges that taper into the flat plastic frame - a classic OnePlus aesthetic. However, one notable departure from previous models is the addition of separate camera bumps, which are now à la mode in smartphone design. The build quality is solid, with the phone's weighty feel giving it an air of premium-ness. The 6.74-inch screen is larger than its predecessors and features a high-resolution OLED display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and dragon Trail glass protection. One notable improvement over previous models is the significant reduction in bezels, lending the phone a more upscale appearance. At 450 PPI, the display is sharp and crisp, with good contrast and color accuracy, particularly when using the right color mode. The maximum brightness we measured was over 500 nits with manual adjustment, and it can boost to an impressive 1100 nits in auto mode for better visibility under harsh sunlight. The Nord 3's design may not be revolutionary, but it's certainly an evolution of OnePlus' tried-and-true formula. The overall feel is one of high-quality construction, making the phone a joy to hold and use. While some might find the camera bumps to be a bit too flashy, they do add a touch of visual interest to the otherwise understated design. Overall, the Nord 3's build quality and design are definite highlights of this mid-range flagship, making it a compelling choice for anyone looking for a feature-rich phone without the hefty price tag.
Battery Life
In our extensive review of the OnePlus Nord 3, one aspect stood out for its exceptional performance - battery life. With a generous 5,000 milliamp hour battery and support for fast charging via an 80W SuperVOOC charger, this mid-ranger has truly impressed. Our testing revealed that the Nord 3 can easily last up to 103 hours on a single charge, making it perfect for users who need a device that can keep up with their busy lifestyles. The battery life is not only impressive but also efficient, allowing users to top up their phone quickly and easily when needed. We were able to get an astonishing 61% charge in just half an hour, and from 0-98% full charge in a mere 30 minutes. This level of charging speed ensures that you're always connected, without the hassle of constantly worrying about running out of power. While there are some minor caveats to the Nord 3's camera performance, its battery life is undoubtedly one of its strongest suits. With such impressive endurance and rapid charging capabilities, this phone has set a new standard for mid-range devices in terms of battery performance. Whether you're a heavy user or someone who needs a reliable companion throughout the day, the OnePlus Nord 3's battery life will not disappoint.
Display
The OnePlus Nord 3 boasts an impressive 6.74-inch OLED display, a significant upgrade over its predecessors. This larger screen size and higher resolution result in a more premium look and feel, making it stand out among mid-range phones. The bezels have been significantly reduced, adding to the phone's sleek appearance. One of the standout features of the Nord 3 is its display performance. With a 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and swiping are smooth and seamless, making this device ideal for gaming or everyday use. The screen also boasts excellent brightness, reaching over 500 nits with the manual slider and up to 1100 nits in auto mode. In terms of color accuracy, the Nord 3 performs well, particularly when using the correct color mode. The display's 10-bit color support and HDR10+ video capability ensure vibrant and detailed visuals. We were also pleased to find that the screen's brightness is evenly distributed, making it suitable for use in various lighting conditions. Another notable aspect of this display is its sharpness, achieved with a pixel density of 450 PPI. This level of detail ensures text and images appear clear and crisp, even when zoomed in or out. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 3's display is an impressive feature that sets it apart from other mid-range phones. While some may be disappointed by the lack of support for high frame rate gaming, the Nord 3's display remains a compelling selling point for this device. Whether you're looking for a great viewing experience or simply want a phone with a premium feel, the Nord 3's display is certainly worth considering.
Camera
The camera setup on the OnePlus Nord 3 is a notable aspect of the device. The phone features a 50-megapixel main camera paired with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide and a 2-megapixel macro camera. While this setup may seem similar to previous models, there are some key upgrades worth mentioning. The main camera sensor has been upgraded to a higher-end Sony IMX 890, which provides excellent image quality. The photos taken by the main camera exhibit great detail, with minimal noise and high contrast. However, it's worth noting that the colors can be quite lively, bordering on over-saturation at times. Additionally, excessive sharpening can be observed when zooming in to pixel level, resulting in an over-processed look. Portrait mode performance is commendable, with proficient subject separation and convincing blur effects. The two-time zoom toggle within the viewfinder produces decent results, surpassing what a simple crop and upscale would achieve. In low-light conditions, the camera performs well, with good exposure, balance, sharpness, and minimal noise. Night mode photos from the main camera are quick to capture and exhibit excellent quality, with great detail, balanced colors, and wide dynamic range. Video recording capabilities in 4K at 60fps yield impressive results, boasting high detail, realistic colors, high contrast, and good dynamic range. However, electronic stabilization is not available in 4K mode. The ultra-wide camera provides adequate detail levels, low noise, good contrast, and decent dynamic range. The colors seem less saturated compared to the main camera, but a similar over-processed look is still present. In low-light conditions, auto-night mode photos from the ultra-wide camera are well-exposed with sufficient detail, low noise, wide dynamic range, and lively colors. Overall, the camera setup on the OnePlus Nord 3 delivers decent results, especially considering its price point. While there may be some minor drawbacks, such as excessive sharpening or lack of electronic stabilization in 4K mode, the device's camera capabilities are a notable strength.
Price and Value
The OnePlus Nord 3 is a significant step up from its predecessors in terms of specs and features. Priced at an affordable mid-range level, this phone offers premium performance that doesn't break the bank. One aspect where the Nord 3 shines is its value proposition. With a price tag that's lower than most flagships, it delivers a high-end display, powerful chipset, and decent camera setup. The inclusion of features like fast charging, IP54 rating, and stereo speakers further enhance its appeal. The Nord 3's design may not be as flashy as some premium phones, but it's sleek and functional. The 6.74-inch OLED display is a highlight, offering excellent brightness, color accuracy, and contrast. The battery life is also good, with the phone lasting over a day on a single charge. While the camera setup is decent, it's not exceptional. However, the overall performance of the Nord 3 makes up for this minor flaw. With its powerful chipset and efficient software, this phone handles heavy gaming and multitasking with ease. In terms of price and value, the OnePlus Nord 3 is an excellent choice for those who want a high-performance mid-ranger without breaking the bank. It's a solid option for anyone looking to upgrade their mobile experience without committing to a premium device. With its affordable price tag and impressive features, the Nord 3 is definitely worth considering. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 3 offers exceptional value for its price. If you're in the market for a new phone that checks most boxes without blowing your budget, this might just be the perfect choice for you.
Performance
The OnePlus Nord 3 is a significant upgrade over its predecessors, packing more upmarket specs that make it a formidable contender in the mid-range segment. One aspect where it truly shines is performance. Under the hood, you'll find a high-end Mediatek Dimensity 9000 chipset, which delivers exceptional results in benchmarks. The scores are closer to flagship territory than its peers, making the Nord 3 one of the best-performing phones in its price bracket. In real-world usage, the phone runs smoothly, handling heavy gaming and multitasking with ease. In our CPU stress test, the phone managed to maintain high sustained performance, but we observed significant throttling during the GPU test. While this is a concern, it's not a deal-breaker, considering the overall package. The Nord 3 also excels in terms of thermals, keeping its temperature under control even during prolonged use. This ensures that the phone remains comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. One area where the Nord 3 truly shines is in its ability to handle demanding tasks without breaking a sweat. Whether you're playing graphics-intensive games or juggling multiple apps simultaneously, the phone shows no signs of strain. In terms of gaming performance, the Nord 3 delivers smooth and seamless experiences, thanks to its powerful chipset and efficient software optimization. While it may not be as snappy as some flagships, it's certainly one of the best mid-range options available today. Overall, the OnePlus Nord 3 is a powerhouse of a phone that checks most boxes when it comes to performance. If you're in the market for a high-performance mid-ranger, this should definitely be on your shortlist.
Pros
1. The specs look great here so could this be the OnePlus Flagship killer we've been waiting for
2. A flagship-grade display with a high refresh rate and HDR10+ support makes it feel like a premium phone
3. The battery life is good, with an endurance rating of 103 hours in our tests
4. Fast charging is super fast, with a bundled 80W charger that can charge the phone from 0 to 98% in half an hour
5. The camera setup is decent, with a 50MP main cam and support for 4K video recording at 60fps
6. The interface of the Nord 3 is oneplus's Oxygen OS 13.1 on top of Android 13, which provides a smooth user experience
7. The phone runs smoothly and heavy gaming and multitasking are no problem here
8. The camera app is well-designed, with features like night mode and portrait mode working quite well
Cons
1. There's no support for high frame rate gaming, which might be a letdown for some users
2. The macro camera is hardly praiseworthy, with limited detail and visible noise
3. The front-facing cam is only 16MP, which is not impressive compared to other phones in this price range
4. There's no electronic stabilization in 4K video recording, which might make it harder to capture smooth footage
5. Low light photos from the ultra-wide camera could use a boost in exposure
6. The phone's thermal performance was mixed during our CPU stress test
7. The design of the Nord 3 is similar to previous OnePlus phones, with no significant change
8. There's limited flexibility in terms of storage and RAM options